Astronaut!: A darkly funny and deeply moving coming-of-age story set in Communist Romania

by Oana Aristide, Rosalind Lailey (Narrator)

'Brilliant, compulsive and thrilling. I will be reading this book again!' - Alice Winn, author of IN MEMORIAM

'One of the best novels I've read this year.' - Joanna Quinn, author of The Whalebone Theatre

'You will love this book!' - Jennifer Croft, translator of Flights by Olga Tokarczuk and author of The Extinction of Irena Rey

~ ~ ~

Romania, 1989: a grey place of mysterious queues, ubiquitous informers and daily news flashes about a man-eating bear that is terrorising the country.

Amidst the daily drudge of work, rationing and careful conversation with neighbours, two lives unexpectedly collide when an idealistic police detective, Constantin, is tasked with solving a string of grisly murders, and a rebellious school child, Lia, is unwittingly drawn into her elderly neighbour's seditious plot.

Dryly satirical, incredibly tense and deeply moving, ASTRONAUT! is both a detective novel and a coming-of-age tale, one with a perennially relevant the lies we accept today become the truths of tomorrow.

More praise for ASTRONAUT!:
'Had me on the edge of my seat' - Kenan Orhan, author of The Renovation
'If Solzhenitsyn and Hans Christian Andersen had had literary offspring, it might be Oana Aristide.' - Saïd Sayrafiezadeh, author of American Estrangement
'Completely absorbing.' - Georgina Godwin, broadcaster and literary journalist

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Historical, Literary Fiction

Audible Audio

Expected publication March 26, 2026

Reviews

[Ruben · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5

Fantastic new novel set in Romania 1989, about the absurdities of totalitarianism and a society in which any neighbour or colleague can be an informer.

The main character is Lia, a little blabbermouth who can't help getting herself into trouble. She notices the world is gradually losing its colour and is determined to bring it back. When she accidentally wins a drawing contest she shouldn't have won (because her classmate Dora whose parents are high up in the Party was supposed to win) the prize is a meet and greet with Ceausescu himself.

A second storyline is that of detective Constantin, who is put in charge of the investigation into a gruesome murder, which soon turns out to be the first of many. Is there a serial killer on the loose, or is it perhaps more convenient to blame a bear?

I love this very much, a smart plot is combined with humour. Astronaut! (i.e. not kosmonaut) has some of the absurdity and humour of Catch-22 and the warm atmosphere of Mariana Leky.

I have some Romanian friends and lately nothing excites them more than bear stories - it's a real thing.

I am pencilling this down for the Booker longlist - it could be the "Endling" of 2026.

[Chloë ☾ ⋆* · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving and darkly humorous coming-of-age story that had me highly entertained throughout! Have never read a book set in communist Romania and I’m not sure what I expected, but I loved this. Perfect balance of weird and touching. Lia was such a well written protagonist!! If you’re looking for a satirical detective novel with hidden depth and important themes, definitely pick this one up. 🐻 🎒 The narrator was also fabulous. Thank you to Headline Audio and NetGalley for the ARC 🎧

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astronaut by Oana Aristide

Thank you to NetGalley and Oana Aristide for providing both the audiobook (narrated by Rosalind Lailey) and the e-book advanced copies in exchange for an honest review.

Set in 1989 Romania, just months before the fall of Nicolae Ceaușescu and the eruption of the Romanian Revolution, Astronaut follows two seemingly separate lives: Lia, a young girl whose imagination stretches far beyond the grey confines of her world, and Constantin, a disciplined detective tasked with trying to catch what appears to be a serial killer... As unrest quietly builds across the country, Lia retreats into stories of space and possibility, while Constantin methodically pieces together a case that carries emotional consequences. The novel gradually reveals how their worlds are connected but it does so with restraint and care.

What makes this book different is its tonal balance. This isn’t simply historical fiction, nor is it purely a detective story. It’s a meditation on imagination and how it protects us, shapes us, and sometimes exposes us. Lia’s innocence never feels sentimental; it feels necessary. Constantin’s investigative precision is grounded, yet softened by the imaginative bedtime stories he tells his son, Sandu. (These were my favourite!) The contrast between a child trying to make sense of her environment and a man trying to impose order on it gives the novel emotional tension that feels both intimate and political.

Readers should care because the stakes are human rather than sensational. The backdrop of late-communist Romania... rationing, fear of the Securitate, whispered dissent isn’t just historical colour; it presses in on every character decision. Aristide doesn’t overwhelm with exposition, but the sense of a country on the brink adds quiet urgency throughout. The story hooks you not through twists, but through emotional convergence and the slow realisation that innocence and investigation are moving toward one another.

Experiencing this through both audio and print deepened the impact. Rosalind Lailey’s narration is measured and emotionally intelligent, with pacing that allows tension to build naturally. Her Romanian accent felt authentic to me and never distracting... instead, it enriched the atmosphere and grounded the setting. The audiobook particularly elevates Lia’s chapters, capturing vulnerability without overplaying it. By the end, Aristide ties the dual perspectives together in a way that feels earned, thoughtful, and quietly powerful.

#Astronaut #NetGalley

[Jamad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Astronaut! is a compelling and vivid historical novel that combines suspense, satire, and poignant character study against the last days of Communist Romania. Set in a grey, tightly controlled world of rationing, informers, and state propaganda, the story follows two unlikely protagonists whose lives intersect in meaningful ways.

Constantin is an idealistic police detective tasked with investigating a series of grisly murders. He is thoughtful and introspective, juggling the weight of his job with scribbled fairytales for his young child. Lia, a spirited and perceptive schoolgirl, yearns for colour and freedom in a society that demands conformity. By chance, she becomes involved in her elderly neighbour’s secret plot against the regime.

Aristide breathes life into late-Communist Romania, capturing both the absurdities of everyday life under authoritarian rule and the small acts of resistance that define her characters. The narrative deftly balances the tension of a detective plot with the coming-of-age experiences of Lia and the moral complexities faced by Constantin, creating a layered and engaging read.

The novel explores how individuals navigate fear, truth, and loyalty in a world where even simple conversations can carry risk. It’s deeply moving and occasionally wryly funny, showing how hope and resilience persist even in the bleakest contexts.

Overall, Astronaut! is a richly imagined story that stays with you, offering insight into a turbulent period of history through memorable characters and a propulsive, thoughtful plot.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Books Before Bs · Rating 3 out of 5]

In ‘Astronaut!’ by Oana Aristide we are given a glimpse into life in a totalitarian state through two sets of eyes: those of a grieving police detective, Constantin, as he searches for the man (or beast) behind a string of grisly murders, and those of an eight-year-old girl, Lia, who is unwittingly drawn into her neighbour’s plot against President Ceaușescu as she struggles to make sense of the absurdity of the world around her.

The writing in ‘Astronaut!’ is excellent; the characters compelling. I particularly like the fairy tales Constantin tells his son and how they function thematically, and I admire how well Aristide portrays the world from Lia’s perspective, capturing her frustration with a nonsensical system where adults are terrified of things she cannot comprehend and she is punished for "wrongs" she cannot see.

I was sure this was going to be a five-star read for me, until it was let down massively by the ending. It isn’t often that I want a book to be longer, but this conclusion felt rushed and anti-climactic, needing more time for the threads to come together and for the actions to play out. The murderer and his motives are revealed and dismissed in a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, and the plot against Ceaușescu remains incomplete. We are kept wondering who lived, who died, and what the lasting consequences are for the survivors. It left me feeling deflated; a disappointing finish to a previously brilliant story. 

Rating: A regrettable 3 stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Oana Aristide and Wildfire for the ARC.

⚠️ Grief

[Katy Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scene-setting storylines collide in 1980s Romania.

3.5 stars

A dark and dreary time, with a grey world, informers, rationing and a real Big Brother world that really existed within the lifetimes of many people reading this.

Romania in 1989, where a little girl accidentally gets her parents in trouble by using their hidden money to buy a present. Where her artwork will hopefully win a competition for a long-desired bike. Where multiple murders blamed on a bear may actually be a serial killer.

The two main characters - Lia, future artist and upset with the lack of colour in her world, Constantin, detective and teller of stories to his son. Many dead people. A collision of worlds and stories in growing tension where the reader suspects things Lia doesn't, where we look on in horror at miles-long queues for meat. Where we watch people watching each other, informing on each other, disappearing.

It's hard reading about this sort of regime through the eyes of a child, seeing her world coloured (or not) by politics and repression and fear.

It was an interesting read, I enjoyed the conclusion and final chapters that had been built up to for many chapters, and actually did go and look up the recent history of Romania after finishing this, it inspired me to learn about it. Pretty horrific stuff.

I would have got on better with this on paper I think, sometimes lost concentration during the audiobook.

Fascinating insights though, and the images of Lia's world do stay in your head.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.

[RecycledWords · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosalind Lailey does a brilliant job of narrating this audiobook and creating recognisable, consistent voices for the various characters. This really helps an audiobook flow well for me as the variation in the narration keeps me engaged so I don't get distracted whilst listening.

I loved Lia and her curious mind; using a child to question the rules and fears under communism which don't make any logical sense felt clever without being condescending. I didn't know anything about communism in Romania prior to listening to this audiobook but feel that I learned a lot from following Lia and Constantin's stories. The plotline of the serial killer/bear was more of an interesting bistory for me and I didn't feel the conclusion of that particular thread made much sense so I felt a little let down by the end of the book.

The fairytales told by Lia's father to her younger brother Sandu were nice little breaks in the main story. Sandu's feelings about the stories were good examples of how the dissonance between reality and the stories we are told as children can create disquiet.

Thanks to NetGalley and Headline Audio for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Margaret C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this wry and satirical tale set during the final months of Ceaușescu’s reign in communist Romania.

The characters are convincingly drawn and the story moves along between two perspectives. There is that of talkative little Lia who just wants to brighten the lives of those around her, but sometimes inadvertently makes things worse for her stressed out parents. Then there is Constantine, the police detective, who is trying to solve a series of gruesome murders, while navigating the often ludicrous constraints applied by the corrupt powers that be and who seizes the opportunity to compose bedtime fairytales for his precious four year old son if a spare moment arises.

The oppressiveness and paranoia of life in communist Romania under Ceaușescu is clearly portrayed but is balanced by the hope and optimism in our two main characters who are determined to do their best to make things as good as they can be despite the circumstances.
Overall this is a wonderful read and I highly recommend it!

My thanks to NetGalley and Headline Books for this much appreciated early copy of Astronaut.

[Meme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romania, 1989. Under a dictatorship, two stories unfold at the same time—will they collide?


A little girl with rebellious, freedom-loving ideas is obsessed with bringing back colors.

A cop with a conscience is trying to solve grisly crimes.


It was interesting to read about what life was like during that complicated part of history. The story is a good idea, and I found the ending consistent. The author did a good job depicting how it feels to be a little girl who doesn’t always understand her world.


But unfortunately, I had a hard time finishing it. I might have DNFed it if it hadn’t been an ARC. I didn’t always feel to pick it up, and while the murder mystery seemed appealing at first, it lost some of its initial appeal for me as the story progressed. Some characters—though I understand them—were difficult for me to connect with.


I am still glad that I finished it, as I still wanted to know how it would end.


It was my first approved ARC on NetGalley, so it will always feel special to me. And I must say that the cover design is amazing—not only is it beautiful, but it also makes total sense once you’ve read the book.

[Siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astronaut! is a novel about Communist Romania that blends a serial killer mystery with the story of a child who doesn't understand the stakes involved in her actions. In Romania in 1989, a string of horrible murders happens and police detective Constantin has the job nobody wants: trying to investigate the murders even as they must be blamed on a bear. He crosses paths with Lia, a schoolgirl who just wants to draw pictures and bring the colours back to the drab, grey landscape of her life. Lia's parents just want to survive, but their daughter is unknowingly being drawn into a a dangerous plot being planned by a neighbour.

This book is completely engrossing, painting a vivid, tense picture of Romania during the last days of Communism that highlights both the ridiculous realities of trying to investigate actual crimes under an atmosphere of state violence and the impossible position of trying to get your child to comply with laws when they have a curious, rebellious nature. Lia's character is well-written to make you understand the injustices she feels whilst also feeling sympathy for her parents just trying to avoid prison for something their daughter does. There's a lot of clever details, like how Lia doesn't believe her parents' warnings about what will happen to them if she says something inappropriate because she's used to the casual threats of typical parents when trying to convince her to do small things like eating her dinner. It builds up a powerful tension where Lia's increasing knowledge and awareness about the world puts her and others in danger, but is also just her growing up and learning things.

Astronaut! is a gripping story, but for me it was also a eye-opening look into Communist Romania, which I knew little about before reading it. It is a book I'll be recommending to people, especially those who like literary fiction that engages with a real historical time period whilst blending together genres.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual read, but I enjoyed it all the same. I appreciated the glimpse it offered into a life within a communist state, and having it viewed through the lens of a child made it all the more impactful. Especially with their innocent views and confusion at why things are the way that they are. The characters were well written and held a depth where you wanted to know more.
I did expect this to be more of a mystery/whodunnit, but really there is no mystery in who holds the power of control in these communities.

Sadly the ending let it down for me, as it fell a bit flat and felt hurried. I feel it could have done with a bit more to draw it out and allow the dots to be connected in a more organic way.

It's clear that Oana is an excellent author and I'll absolutely be picking up more of their books. I would recommend this read to others, especially if dark-humour, mystery and a glimpse into communism is your thing.

[Bibliophileverse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Astronaut! is a compelling portrayal of Romanian life and society in 1989, capturing the tension and quiet despair of a nation under rigid control. The narrative moves at a brisk pace, unfolding in striking phases that push readers to confront the harsh realities of societal oppression. The mystery woven into the plot adds depth, subtly guiding the story without overpowering its emotional core.

One of the most distinctive elements is the inclusion of tiny fables, which illuminate the premise with clarity and symbolic precision. Lia stands out as the most intriguing character—a rebellious child who refuses silent submission in a society conditioned to obey authority. Her defiance sharply contrasts with the general passivity around her, making her presence powerful and unsettling.

However, while the buildup of the mystery is engaging, its resolution feels somewhat underwhelming, slightly diminishing the overall impact of an otherwise thought-provoking novel.

[Ben Dutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oona Aristide's latest novel Astronaut! takes us to communist Romania that takes two dissparate elements - a rebellious schoolgirl unaware of how out of her depths she is getting and that of an investigation into a serial killer and the attempt at pinning the crimes on a bear. Very easily either of these two narratives could have formed a novel on their own, but Aristide merges them to create an absurdist comedy/drama about the dying days of Ceaușescu's regime.

I enjoyed Astronaut! very much, devouring it in a single sitting, breathlessly swept away by the narrative, engaging characters and setting. This is a gripping, offbeat novel well worth your time.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.

[Elena M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio arc!

A string of mysterious deaths being solved in communist Romania combined with an escaped bear sounded like a wild premise and therefore a must-read. We follow the main characters Constantin and Lia. Constantin, a police detective is tasked with solving a string of mysterious deaths and Lia , a schoolgirl, also becomes involved. I particularly enjoyed the folklore/fairytale aspects woven into the story as well as the exploration of daily life under the communist regime. In the second half of the book, I felt there were some major plot holes and the ending fell flat. Nevertheless, an enjoyable listen!

[Sarah Faichney · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Astronaut!’ by Oana Aristide really opened my eyes to the reality of living in Romania under a Communist government in the late 1980s. I listened to the audiobook which was beautifully narrated by Rosalind Lailey. I enjoyed seeing the world through the eyes of both Lia and Constantin and I loved the fairy tales which were interspersed throughout. I think Lia’s perspective, and those of her parent’s, really helped to illustrate the atmosphere of the era. An unusual and enjoyable read.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful, imaginative story about communist Romania, largely seen through the eyes of a curious, fearless child’. I listened to the audiobook, which was very well narrated by Rosalind Lailey and made the story more warmhearted and exciting.
Thank you to Wildfire and Netgalley UK for the advanced digital audiobook.

[Steve Cavill · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s quirky! It’s dark! It’s fun! Astronaut! by Oana Aristide is one of those books that surprises you in the best way and sticks with you long after you finish it.

Set in Romania in 1989, just before the fall of the Communist regime, the story captures what everyday life felt like under dictatorship: shortages, suspicion, strange rules, and the constant feeling that someone might be watching. It’s a bleak setting, but the book never feels heavy—instead, it’s full of sharp humour and warmth.

The plot follows two main threads. One is Constantin, a police detective trying to investigate a series of murders that may—or may not—be linked to a man-eating bear roaming the countryside. His job is made almost impossible by bureaucracy, fear, and the absurd logic of the system he works for. The bear hunt is tense, strange, and often darkly funny.

The other thread follows Lia, a bright, imaginative schoolgirl who refuses to fully accept the grey world around her. Through her eyes, we see small acts of rebellion, curiosity, and hope, even when the future feels closed off.

The title Astronaut! might seem confusing at first—this isn’t a space novel—but it makes sense as the story unfolds. It’s about escape and imagination, about wanting to leave a suffocating world and reach something bigger and freer, even if only in your mind.

Overall, this is a clever, funny, unsettling, and surprisingly touching novel. It mixes mystery, satire, and history in a way that feels fresh and human. A brilliant reminder that even in the darkest times, people still dream of other worlds.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! Original, unexpected and unpredictable - also so eye-opening about communism in Romania in the 80s which I knew nothing about

[Bao Bao · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's 1989 in Romania. It's still a communist country, and there's a serial killer on the loose.

Constantin is a detective who goes around the country trying to find any evidence of this killer or a "bear" that's been let loose.

Lia is a young girl, who likes to draw and runs wild. She befriends an old neighbour Comrade Mantea. They have fun, they listen to each other, but Comrade Mantea has other plans that might just help or harm Lia...

Really enjoyed this book. It was wildly fun trying to imagine what it was like to be in Romania during the late 80's.

Thanks to Netgalley and Headline | Wildfire for this ARC!

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvellous depiction by Aristide. I very very eagerly kept returning to my audiobook to listen to more Lia, to more Constantin, to more fairy tales, to more naked emperors cavorting around in the nakedness trying to force us to believe that they are dressed.

But such a naked narrative with all it's omnivorous violence and bluster leaves subject people without hope, without colour, without joy, with constant fear that now shapes their feelings, their thoughts, their lives. Where the ultimate is inching forward in a food queue or fighting whether to use cosmonaut or astronaut.

and as Lia would say "but whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy"

An ARC gently provided by author/publisher via Netgalley.

[Dima · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with this book. The premise sounded messy, and getting books right about communist countries in the late ’80s is tricky as it still feels too recent.

The book delivered. On the surface, it follows a bright young girl trying to make sense of the nonsensical rules that govern her life and terrify her parents, and a young idealistic detective tasked with solving a string of murders who becomes trapped in bureaucratic and political idiocy.

Though written like a crime novel hunting a serial killer, it is really about the worst aspects of the Ceaușescu years and the absurdities that defined daily life and far beyond. It is about the human spirit and what it takes to break it, co-opt it, or force it to rebel. The minute details of daily existence make the book stand out: queuing for food, rigged school competitions, the power of informers, and more. There is a strong psychological horror element here, and the mental claustrophobia that emerges is stark.

The writing and pacing are excellent. It is easy to read, moves well, and keeps the reader engaged as the plot develops.

The only odd note is the pre-publication marketing calling the book satirical. If one knows anything about the communist bloc in those years, nothing in the book feels satirical. Even the hunt for the serial killer is not far from the horrifying political interference that allowed Ukraine’s Chikatilo to stay free for more than a decade.

A great read, especially recommended for those who know little about Romania or the Soviet bloc in the late 1980s.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of the book in return for an honest review.

[charlotte, · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5

Galley provided by publisher

Astronaut! was an enjoyable read that didn’t quite go as I expected it to, but in a good way. This is a story that follows two (seemingly) disparate plotlines: first, the investigation into a serial killer, who leaves a baffling trail that has the police desperate to pin the killings on a bear, and second, the life of a rebellious schoolgirl who ends up in a position to meet Ceaușescu himself. It’s a story that sucks you in, that, at points, feels as though it could be satire, but for the fact that you could believe it of a falling Communist regime. There’s an absurdity to it, that everyone is forced to treat with utmost seriousness, because the dictator himself does so. It’s a book that brings to life this balancing act in a very human way, through the personalities of Constantin and Lia. The one thing I would say is that I thought their stories would intersect earlier than they did, and perhaps this is the reason my rating ultimately settled on 3.5. However, when they intersect, they do so with aplomb, and this book must mark one of the rare times when I appreciate a more open ending.

[Catherine Dorman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely obsessed with Astronaut! It felt fresh and unique as it navigated heavy topics and political themes all while keeping a sense of wonder and character-driven plot at its core. It’s really well-paced, with unexpected twists and well-drawn characters. I loved the dual protagonists who seemingly couldn’t be any more different: a precocious small town girl and a police detective who both struggle with their place in both society and their own families.The political overlay feels essential to the plot and the author paints an enveloping picture of Soviet Romania and the struggle of ordinary people to decide what it is to be good in a totalitarian society where reality is less about truth and more about power. Rather than weighing too. heavily, the author navigates this with an absurdist sense of humor that works really well as the book navigates heavy subjects with a light touch. Watching this all play out through the eyes of an unruly child who just wants to fill the world with color was unique and delightful, as strange as that may be to say about about a novel about a serial killer.

[Katy Wheatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Romania in 1989 in the days of Ceausescu's dictatorship this is a thriller whose resolution is hampered by the political paranoia and doublespeak that makes normal life virtually impossible. Constantin is a policeman tasked with attempting to solve a murder which thanks to its proximity to Ceausescu's hunting party means that not only does the location of the murder have to be moved to avoid difficult questions being asked, but when scarily similar murders start happening all over the country, it becomes even more of a political hot potato. Constantin's narrative is offset by the travails of Lia, a small girl with a big imagination who cannot understand why the adults in her life don't see the world she does. When her world and Constantin's start to bleed into each other, chaos erupts. This is tense, darkly funny and beautifully written.