Great Black Hope

DEBUT Smith’s New York milieu is a glittering blur of clubs and parties, a glamorous life made of dreams that camouflage his grief over the tragic, unexpected death of his roommate Elle, the daughter of a famous singer. Smith’s arrest for cocaine possession while partying with his friend Carolyn at a Hamptons nightclub leads to a period of sobriety. As the case is deferred for months, he completes the comically ineffective drug counseling suggested by the high-priced attorney hired by his wealthy family. When a persistent reporter pressures Smith for details about Elle’s life, he’s forced to face the emotional impact of her death, which drags him back into the seedier side of New York nightlife. Franklin’s exceptional debut thoughtfully explores grief, friendship, and family expectations. It’s full of propulsive, poetic language and striking turns of phrase.