This second Young Adult novel from Kelly McCaughrain reads like a classic love story – boy meets girl, one thing leads to another and Mel gets pregnant. However, Little Bang is set in a very specific context – Belfast in early 2018.
The first part of Little Bang is sweet young romance and the voices of Sid and Mel spring off the page. Sid is the loveable, wild teen, complete with volatile relationship with his single mother Lucille. Mel is the “good” student, with strictly religious and overbearing parents. Unusually perhaps for a YA novel, the role of the parents in this story is crucial. Both families have their own views on abortion and coupled with its illegal status in Northern Ireland at the time, it makes for some fiery scenes between the teenagers and their parents.
The latter part of this book is a tough read, as Mel starts to feel alone with only “Little Bang” inside her as her constant companion. Sid finds himself pulled toward other interests as he figures out how he would provide for a child and have a sense of self. This is conveyed through his picking up of odd jobs and his struggles as a singer-songwriter.
Somehow within all of this, Kelly McCaughrain finds plenty of humour, much of it dark and through the sparky dialogue. Lucille in particular is a great character, full of the wisdom of a hard life but also the humour of a woman who has had to do everything the hard way.
The definition of a thought-provoking and important novel not just for young adults but for adults as well.
Derek Carney
Little Bang
Kelly McCaughrain
Walker Books, January 2024
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN 9781406375725
