Big Nobody: A Novel

by Alex Kadis

A wickedly funny coming-of-age novel about a misfit teenager in London determined to eliminate the one thing standing between her and a good her father

“Hands down the funniest, most original novel I’ve read in ages.”—Grant Ginder, author of The People We Hate at the Wedding

I think it’s safe to say that my father was probably always an abomination of nature.

It’s 1974 in London and Connie Costa’s already pitiful life has gone off the rails. She’s spiraling from the loss of her mother and younger brothers in a tragic accident. And the man responsible is her Dad—otherwise known as “The Fat Murderer.”

Kept at home under his increasingly tyrannical rule, Connie is an outcast who spends her nights conversing with the David Bowie poster on her wall and raiding her stash of whiskey and chocolate. Her only social outlet is the weekly gatherings with her father and their immigrant community of Greek “Freaks.” There she finds her life’s one bright sneaking off with her friend Vas to smoke cigarettes, debate literature, and joke about whether it is finally time to run away together. But when Connie sees an opportunity to get out from under her father’s thumb for good, she must make a perilous decision that will change her forever.

Devastatingly tender and riotously funny, Alex Kadis’ Big Nobody tells a warmhearted story about the rocky path to finding ourselves and the people who keep us afloat.

Genres: Fiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 10, 2026

Reviews

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love when a book makes it so easy to give it five stars

[Kristi Lamont · Rating 1 out of 5]

BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of Big Nobody, by Alex Kadis, from Random House/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.

Once again, here I am, not really the target market for a book.

I tried, hard, to like it. Started it yesterday, then put it down when I realized I was paying more attention to the Ole Miss-Oklahoma football game than the story.

Tried again late this afternoon, but didn’t even make it a quarter of the way through before giving up. Couldn’t connect with anything in the book, and found it just generally…..ummm…vulgar? Crass? Something like that? Definitely more juvenile in the pejorative sense of the word than I’d expected.

Oh, well. Such is life.

DESCRIPTION
A wickedly funny coming-of-age novel about a misfit teenager in London determined to eliminate the one thing standing between her and a good life: her father

I think it’s safe to say that my father was probably always an abomination of nature.

It’s 1974 in London and Connie Costa’s already pitiful life has gone off the rails. She’s spiraling from the loss of her mother and younger brothers in a tragic accident. And the man responsible is her Dad—otherwise known as “The Fat Murderer.”

Kept at home under his increasingly tyrannical rule, Connie is an outcast who spends her nights conversing with the David Bowie poster on her wall and raiding her stash of whiskey and chocolate. Her only social outlet is the weekly gatherings with her father and their immigrant community of Greek “Freaks.” There she finds her life’s one bright spot: sneaking off with her friend Vas to smoke cigarettes, debate literature, and joke about whether it is finally time to run away together. But when Connie sees an opportunity to get out from under her father’s thumb for good, she must make a perilous decision that will change her forever.
 

[Lexi E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big Nobody is a stream of consciousness spewed out from our girl Connie, a teenager growing up in the Greek community in London during the 1970’s. Stuck in an abusive household with her father she deemed the ‘Fat Murderer,’ grappling with the loss of her mother and two twin brothers, Connie struggles to make through each day, let alone actually figure out who she actually is. Armed with the escapism of rock and roll, and her two imaginary friends, Marc Bolan and David Bowie, Connie devises a plan to murder her father, and rid the world of the one thing holding her back in life.

Sometimes the prose feels suffocating and never ending, but it makes you sit with it, kind of making you feel trapped in the same way that Connie does. Too young to leave an abusive father, made feel like nothing, a big nobody. I found myself feeling uncomfortable in a way that was felt reminiscent of being 15, not knowing who you are, but not knowing how to avoid becoming who you don’t want to be. Parents who are supposed to protect you from the world being the very ones that are crueler than the rest of the world.

While I enjoyed the glimpses into Greek culture, I don’t know if the writing quite worked for me. Too much detail into small things like the knick knacks in ones household, to the point that relationships felt like an afterthought to me. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to feel that Connie was keeping me at arms length due to her trauma, or if I was missing a connection that was supposed to have formed. I will say, the last chapter or two out a little smile on my face.

Check out Big Nobody on March 10th, 2026.

[Spacey Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1970's we follow our misfit teen Connie Costa who is planning potentially murder and an escape, both of which she is consulting with her posters of David Bowie and Marc Bolon about. The planned murder is of her abusive father, whom she appropriately calls Fat Murderer as he was driving the night the family car crashed with her mother and younger brothers were inside. Connie is like any teenager, sneaking cigs, whiskey and having sex for the first time but her father believes her actions are too extreme and punishes her for it. Connie finds some reprieve in her extended Greek family, particularly Connie's aunt, who attempts to alleviate the tension between Connie and her father throughout the book. Over the course of the book the relationship becomes more and more strained and ultimately comes to a surprising conclusion.

The narration of Connie is fun, defiant and truly badass. It is a more honest portrait of teenage girls, emphasising the unhinged behaviour, the unjust way the world treats you and the expectations that girls are imposed with. The book is laced with humour throughout which counteracts the more heavy side of this story. I read this for a few days in large chunks and the pacing kept me engaged throughout which was emphasised by the quick and witty language. I would definitely recommend this read for those who enjoy a coming of age story with grit, humour and excellent 70s references! Thank you to Hutchinson and Heinenamm for sending the proof copy of this read to me!

[Diana Clough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Nobody is a deceptively gritty read softened by humour and charm, with one of the most memorable protagonists I can remember. It made me feel like I was reading Angus Thongs again or a darker Jacqueline Wilson novel.

Connie Costa dreams of leaving behind her life in 70s East London, her Greek-Cypriot community, and most importantly, her father — The Fat Murderer — so-called since the untimely death of her mother. If Connie ever wants to get out, she has no choice but to kill him. But like all teenage declarations of rebellion, I don’t believe Connie is seriously going to go through with this.

However, over the course of the novel, shared via confessions to the rockstars on her wall, we learn why she wants to go through with such an act and why she’s been siphoning money from her dad’s wallet. It explains why she despises her Greekness, and why she seeks solace in speaking to those like Bowie who she perceives as free and able to live life on their own terms.

There are some wonderful secondary characters in this book — including her friend and love interest, Vas, the only other outsider to Greek life — who support Connie in the throes of grief and in her dreams to run away.

Big Nobody is a rare book that had me laughing then tearing up within sentences, and when you read this you’ll be rooting for Connie all the way, as ridiculous as her plans to kill her father are.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an early copy!

[Maddie Grigg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Constantina Costa is an angry teenager living with her Greek Cypriot father in 1970s UK. She plots to kill him, referring to him as The Fat Murderer because she holds him responsible for the death of her British mother and two younger brothers.
Connie finds solace in her love for Marc Bolan and David Bowie, whose posters she frequently consults in her bedroom about her miserable life, which has been so touched by tragedy and darkness. She develops a loving relationship with Vas, a Greek Cypriot boy who 'gets' her and is a ray of sunshine in a world where Greekness threatens to suffocate her.
I absolutely adored this nostalgic coming-of-age novel (which is totally from my era) and was cheering Connie on from the sidelines. The scenes in which Connie is enveloped by her Greek heritage and 'aunties' were incredibly warm and funny, and I loved the music, food and pop culture references.
This would make such a great television series. The sassy Connie deserves her moment on the small screen.
Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance review copy of this novel.

[Athena Rupas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Random House & NetGalley for the advanced reading copy! Living under the rule of her Greek Cypriot father in the UK during the 1970s, Connie Costa is living in a miserable life after the tragic death of her mom and two younger brothers. She blames her father for the tragic accident that took their lives. Referring to her father as the Fat Murder because he was the one driving the night of the terrible crash. Kept at home with his abuse, she finds solace in her posters of David Bowie and and Marc Bolon. She also finds solace with the Greek Cypriot, Vas. Together they smoke and talk literature. When she finally sees the opportunity to escape, she goes to extreme measures to go for it.

I really did enjoy most of the book but the flash forward wasn't my favorite. The twist is really good at the end so it does make up for it in my opinion. I also really loved all the pop culture references! The book kept me engaged in the story even during the flash forward that I didn't enjoy. I could still appreciate the author's writing. Overall, I would definitely recommend this one to anyone who likes a funny and witting coming of age story with solid storytelling!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a half-Cypriot teenager in the 70s, living with her hated widowed father, and how she tries to escape her heritage.
I loved all the 70s references, and finding out about life in a Greek community then. Her father doesn’t want her to be a British teenager and a lot of the book is about how she tries to rebel against him.
This was five star until the last few chapters, set in 2007, when I thought it was overlong and with too much unnecessary detail. The final twist was good though.
She was taken to Cyprus when 16, with the intention that her father would marry her off. She wasn’t having this and when the car started to slide off the edge of a precipice in a rainstorm, she pushed it and her father over the edge, killing him. Except he managed to escape somehow and moved back himself to Cyprus. When he died 30 years later, she reconnected with some London Greeks come over for the funeral, include Vas her first boyfriend
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

After Connie's mother dies, leaving her trapped in her Greek Cypriot origin story and at the mercy of a father who seems determined to ruin her life, she is determined to escape. Luckily, she does have Vas, her best friend, who is just as much of an odd one out.

But are Connie's dreams of meeting David Bowie doomed to disappointment? Or can she perhaps find a different way of meeting her wish for another kind of life, a life where she can finally be someone?

Atmospheric, funny, and endearing, but with an edge, this story will appeal to many readers, and for a variety of reasons - multiculturalism, coming of age, the yearning for self realisation, and dysfunctional family relationships, to name just a few. It gets 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Cooper Sabo-Carter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley and Random House for the ARC!

I wanted to enjoy this book but it wasn’t for me. The story follows a young Connie and her mission to kill her sleezy father, referred to as “the fat murderer”. It takes place across a span of 30 years and is I suppose a story of identity, resentment, love, and family. I skimmed half of this book and still knew what was going on, lots of inner monologue from Connie which left me feeling a bit exhausted.

Overall I felt like this book was similar in style to Sally Rooney’s “normal people” which was a smash for a lot of people, but not my fave so maybe that’s why the book didn’t resonate with me. 2 stars because I appreciate the Greek culture throughout the story, the plot in general, and the love story.

[Amélie · Rating 3 out of 5]

mixed opinions about this one. i liked the characters, the written greek accents and the build-up to the Big Twist, but around the third act i lost interest.

the main issue i had was with the weird pacing. it was allllll over the place and it got worse as the story progressed. sometimes a day would take up multiple chapters and then there would be a six month time skip between one chapter and the next. there’s also this random decade long time skip i thought was stupid and unnecessary to a point where i hope it’s intentionally bad and not just straight up bad. i didn’t like the writing style for that part of the book either because it works just fine if let adolescents talk, but not if your mc is 45.

(thanks netgalley for the arc)

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminiscent of “Are You There God? It’s me, Margaret”, “Big Nobody” follows Constantine Costa on a journey through not only the perils of adolescence, but also navigation of her Greek roots. Connie’s ramblings are often difficult to follow; however, we catch small glimpses of her trauma through her coping mechanisms. This was a rough read and may be triggering for victims of sexual or domestic abuse. It’s a tale of overcoming a difficult childhood, but I did feel things were a bit too neatly wrapped up for such a complex backstory. Thank you to Random House and Net Galley for a copy of this book. This review is my own opinion.

[Andy Krahling · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not that I didn't like this - I did - it just blew hot and cold for me. There were times that the story felt real and I felt some sympathy towards Connie. Most times, however, she was wholly unlikable and talking sh*t about everyone and everything.

Her "growth" seemed a little forced and out of character. I just didn't buy it. I did enjoy the look at Greek/Cypriot customs and families -- that was quite interesting.

All in all, this kept me engaged, interested, and semi-invested. That's a win in my book.

Would I read more from the author? Yes, I would.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a welcome surprise, a well written coming of age novel from a debut novelist. The narrative voice of Connie is poignantly authentic and the reader shares in her hopes and the crushing humiliations imposed on her by her controlling father. ‘Big Nobody’ is also darkly funny in places, I particularly enjoyed the conversations Connie shared with the Bolan and Bowie posters on her bedroom wall and her feisty Greek Cypriot aunties. The 1970s are vividly evoked and, as a fellow teenager of the decade, I found Connie’s struggles to find her identity very relatable.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A coming of edge novel set in an area of London I know well, Walthamstow, in the 70s. Greek Cypriot teenager Connie Costa hates her father and has been gathering a getaway fund to escape. All she wants to do is meet boys at discos in the normal way but her dad, whom she calls The Murderer, wants her to marry a nice boy.
It's mildly amusing in places, particularly the family gatherings, and I enjoyed the 70s references.
It's written in quite a disjointed and rambling way and didn't quite keep my attention from wandering, hence 3.5 out of 5.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifteen year old Connie is bitterly angry with the Fat Murderer (otherwise known as her father) over the car accident that caused the death of her mother and two young brothers. She is all consumed with plotting her father’s death and her escape from his control and brutality towards her. There is humor and sadness as Connie navigates her journey into adulthood. This book definitely captured my attention and brought back memories of being a teenager not knowing what the world had in store for us. This ARC was provided by Random House Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sonee Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was entertained from the get-go. The author has a unique ability to make it seem like the character is having a conversation with you, while making it clear that although she’s humorous, she doesn’t care what you think. It was particularly impressive, given the darkness of some of the subject matter due to her troubled relationship with her father. As she grows older, the tone of the book changes but it’s still good. I enjoyed this coming-of-age story.

[Marianne Kaplan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Beginning of book is laugh out loud funny, told from the perspective of teenaged girl living alone with her widowed father. She seriously hates her abusive and obnoxious Greek father who prohibits her from being a normal teenager. The book gets more serious toward the middle and end. I enjoyed watching the heroine grow into herself and appreciate her Greek background. Recommend book.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating novel about Connie whose mother and two brothers died in a car accident. Dad is abusive and keeps her under lock and key until she decides to take matters into her own hands. She goes from being the proverbial 'Nobody" to Somebody as she realizes she has more power than she knows!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, Random House, for providing the copy of Big Nobody by Alex Kadis. Connie’s view of her life was bleak and her escape to imaginary conversations with Marc Bolan and David Bowie felt strange, the book was hard to get involved in. I’m glad I didn’t quit, because I loved how things came together at the end. 3 stars

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I’m not the target demographic of this book, so the narration didn’t really resonate with me. I did enjoy the colorful cast of characters & glam rock references, and I appreciated the moments of closure in the last few chapters!

[Tilly Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating 4.5.

[Desig · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book

[Conor]

Rfw

[Lucy Skeet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohhh what a book!! One for everyone to look out for in March! Thanks so much to HH for my copy x

[Ashley (aneverendingbookstack) Harrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Big Nobody had a strong concept—a teenage girl struggling with grief and family tension in 1970s East London—but it didn’t fully work for me. While Connie is a believable and complex character, the pacing felt uneven, and the story sometimes lingered on bleakness without enough payoff or emotional resolution.

The friendship with Vas added some relief, but overall the book felt heavy and slow, making it harder to stay fully engaged. Worth a try if you enjoy dark, gritty coming-of-age stories, but it may leave some readers frustrated or wanting more action or closure.

Favorite line (paraphrased):

“Grief isn’t something you move past; it’s something you carry—and sometimes it feels heavier than life itself.”


Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

A disappointing coming-of-age story, where nothing of importance or excitement happens.

Set in the 1970's and following the deaths of her mother and two siblings, Connie struggles to adjust to home life with her father, a strict man with very little time or love to give to his only remaining daughter. Her only reprieve from her fathers strangle-hold is the regular Friday night "family" dinners, where Connie meets her long-time love interest Vas. In the confines of her bedroom, and in the depths of deep trauma, Connie seeks advice from her imaginary musical idols of the time David Bowie and Marc Bolen.

The references to the era of 1970's are very few and far between, and I think that the author fails to set the scene of the times, as it seems very much written in a modern time, if you didn't know. On the other hand, I found the use of David Bowie and Marc Bolen both on-the-nose and a bit jarring, which came across as forced.

Another grinding point whilst reading this book, was the constant use of lists to make multiple points. These feature throughout the books, and seem to lack the importance of detail required for those parts. Saying that this is a long book, for such a little amount of things actually happening, it is repetitive, and I felt like I couldn't really connect with the characters.

The only thing saving this review from being 1 star, is the ending, again, very boring, very bland, but it feels like the book takes a turn in the latter chapters.

I personally would not recommend this book to anyone, it offers very little and there are much better coming-of-age stories out there. I couldn't wait to get it over and done with.