“I think that we get something from fiction that we don't get anywhere else, which is an experience. First it's usually solitude. So you're usually alone in direct sort of engagement with this kind of work of art. And within that, you're getting… pieces of your life given back to you. That's the absolute magical essence of literature. It tells you something true about yourself that this other writer had no way of knowing about you... That's the power of literary truth, is you see it and you will follow the reader. If someone tells you something true, you trust them about where to go next. There [aren’t] many other art forms that can do that as compellingly as literature.”
We’ve watched The Sopranos, The Godfather, Goodfellas, etc., but literature of the same or similar genre—well, that’s new for us. Zachary Slingsby’s debut, Ballad of the Gangster’s Daughter, is an immersive crime drama, far from the “shoot ‘em up” style you might assume. Instead, Slingsby explores the nuances of family, identity, and the choices and events that shape a person through the daughters of one man’s criminal empire. And still, it was cinematic.
The narrative: about Ballad of the Gangster’s Daughter
Spanning five decades and over the course of several tragedies, Serena Magic navigates her family’s crimes and is continually forced to choose between her own path or loyalty to the people she loves. With each chapter, Serena experiences a loss that presents a fork in the road and an internal battle.
The nightcap
For a family from the Bronx and with Irish roots, it’s no surprise that Zack’s characters in Ballad of the Gangster’s Daughter are drinking a “traditional Irish spirit.” He’s pairing this cinematic novel with the Redbreast 12 Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. It’s a nightcap often described as “complex,” a word that would easily be used to describe the family dynamics and tragedies Serena Magic navigates throughout this book. Redbreast is also a label with its own story, one that focuses on heritage and legacy, much like this character-driven crime drama explores the depths of family, loyalty, and strength.
In this Narratives and Nightcaps podcast episode
Get to know Zack in this episode of Narratives & Nightcaps. We chat about:
In a typically male-dominated genre, Zack placed a strong female lead at the center of this novel, a nuanced exploration of family, identity, and the choices and events that shape us.
Hopes and questions for the future of books, with Zack saying, “I think that we get something from fiction that we don’t get anywhere else…”
His 16-year dream to become a published author, the realities of his path, and never losing his passion for writing.
How an established career in the “business side” of storytelling both helped and challenged this debut.
We often see or come across authors who focus on one genre (although, we also notice this shifting more and more with author conversations—amazingly), and Zack is an example of a storyteller who has found a way to channel multiple formats, styles, and genres. He’s a reflection of the layers we’re all comprised of and has found a way to embrace each facet.
Listen to the full author interview on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Purchase your copy of Ballad of the Gangster’s Daughter here.
Connect with Zack on Instagram and King Jester.