Rosewater

Journalist Little's debut novel incorporates the poetry of Kai-Isaiah Jamal to tell the story of Elsie, a queer, 28-year-old bartender, poet, and woman-about-town in south London. Elsie is reluctant to rely on others owing to her ongoing estrangement from her traditional Ghanaian family, illustrated by an extremely awkward visit from her parents. Eviction from her subsidized apartment coincides with the closure of the bar where she works, pushing her to move in with Juliet, a longtime friend she hasn't spoken with for several months. Settling into Juliet's place, hustling for writing gigs in between job interviews, and socializing on the literary scene keep Elsie busy in between long talks about life and watching Drag Race with Juliet. She longs to support herself with her writing, and her disappointment with each setback is palpably rendered. The reader gradually learns why Elsie and Juliet fell out of touch and recognizes their fundamental connection long before Elsie is prepared to confront it. This vividly rendered story of a dynamic young woman finding her way is a compelling and engaging read for fans of Talia Hibbert, Sally Rooney, and Candice Carty-Williams. The novel has been optioned for film development.