Leda Balni celebrates her 15th birthday with the charismatic but thuggish Nico Salisi; now dating, they’ve come a long way since their combative relationship as children, but they’re still not quite synced. Nico, unlike Leda, has zero interest in books, philosophy, or emotional conversations. Instead, he’s consumed by lust, while Leda is sexually curious but unready—their union’s end is painful and abrupt. Nearly two years later, misfit Leda, who wears a leather fedora and loves Pink Floyd, makes another attempt at romance. College student Big Ange, “the God of Setters” on the volleyball team, is handsome, popular, and unexpectedly interested in her. Problems arise: Ange, worried about tough engineering exams, is emotionally distant, and sex again becomes an issue. At home, Leda continues to feud with her sister and grandmother whenever they visit, but she wins approval from her judgmental mother, Starry, for losing 12 kilograms by only eating things like undressed salads and apples. As usual, Leda tries to figure things out alone, but because she’s older now, her actions feel more consequential; she worries that poor decision-making could result in a life-changing mistake. Amman keeps her protagonist slowly edging toward maturity in an often imbalanced world. Once fierce, Leda now reflects, “Girls didn’t win. Gracious girls didn’t even compete.” Still, she shows sparks of rebellion when with her mother and boyfriends, and also discovers her writing ability. Big Ange’s depths are also plumbed; he’s often clueless and not the brightest bulb, but he’s sometimes kind, made insecure by patriarchy and religion in a way that’s different from Leda. The sex scenes, relatable and unidealized, add suspense—the bulge in Nico’s pants that once seemed mystifying acquires menace, and Leda and Ange never know how far their “well-practiced make-out dance” will progress. Leda’s surroundings provide an additional dimension—visiting the ocean in France’s beautiful La Londe-les-Maures with Ange and other friends sparks Leda’s realization that she feels lonelier than ever before.
