Seaford resident, Charlee Fam has released her debut novel, Last Train To Babylon, which printed on Oct. 28.
“I grew up on the south shore of Long Island in a town so much like Seaport [in the novel] that I actually only changed half the name in a futile attempt to mask its identity; I’m not really sure why I felt compelled to change the name,” said Fam. “But regardless of how it’s portrayed, I always felt a strong connection to my community—to Long Island; it’s home and it will always be home—even when I’m living a train ride away.”
Last Train To Babylon is a gripping novel of twisting relationships and raw emotions pulled taut by a touch of delightfully dark comedy as a young woman faces the demons of a past she’s buried and discovers that the life she desires is one she must demand from herself. Fans of Alice Sebold and new readers alike will be transfixed by Fam’s sophisticated, powerful imagery and thought-provoking story line.
Fam introduces readers to a young woman held hostage by her past. It’s been five years since Aubrey Glass left her Long Island hometown and since then, she’s crafted five perfect suicide notes—just in case. Now, her former best friend has gone and killed herself—Rachel always did have to be the center of attention—and Aubrey can’t believe her luck.
But Rachel’s untimely death doesn’t leave Aubrey in peace. There’s a voicemail from her former friend, left only days before her death that Aubrey must face—and worse, a tasteless after-party, disguised as a memorial for Rachel, that promises the opportunity to catch up with everyone…including the man responsible for everything that went wrong between her and Rachel.
As the event approaches, memories of friendship tangle with painful new encounters while underneath it all, Aubrey feels the rush of something closing in, something she can no longer run from. In one devastating night, everything will change. As the past and present collide, Aubrey will be forced to confront her future and decide what will define her…what lies behind or what waits ahead.
Fam graduated from Binghamton University in 2010 with a degree in creative writing.
Levittown Tribune readers can enter to win a copy of Last Train To Babylon by emailing their name, home address, and home phone number to: levittown@antonnews.com before 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14.
