“Bad Manners“ is an upbeat feel-good novel (475 pages) of success in a brutal and corrupt world.

The book is the Winner of 2024 Alma Littera Adult Literature Prize.

The book was published in Lithuania in 2025.

5 editions were printed, the total circulation - 8'000 copies.

Currently, scripts for the play and film are being written.

The author of the book is actively promoting the book on social media and at meetings with readers.

About the Novel:

It is a coming-of-age story, set in the final years of the Soviet era Lithuania. The book is narrated by Jonas Girdvainis, a young man whose parents go missing after a misadventure gone wrong.

Jonas finds himself entangled in a war between two competing criminal gangs. He also falls in love with his neighbor, teacher and KGB general‘s wife Julia. No wonder that his life hangs on a thread.

Yet the boy is freaking lucky. He brushes-off death, time and time again.

This story challenges the reader to take sides in a number of morally ambiguous situations. Is it wrong or right to steal from a thief? Is it justifiable to scheme against an abuser? How about murdering a murderer?

Why This Book Matters:

The readers’ response has been nothing short of extraordinary.

70% of Goodreads readers rate the novel five stars (average rating of 4.61). This rating is in the league of top contemporary best-sellers like Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (average rating of 4.47) or A Court of Mist and Fury (average rating of 4.63).

There are many reports of obsessive-compulsive, binge reading of the book in a single day (or a single night!). 

There are also many reports of immersive, visual and cinematic experience felt by the readers. One comment on Goodreads puts it this way:

“The book was so captivating that I felt like I was experiencing the emotions and feelings of the characters myself. It was as if I were that observer in John's parents' room with a telescope, trying to remain unnoticed and not interfere, even though I was very curious to see what would happen next.”

Here are the 10 most common user impressions, phrased the way agents and editors typically summarize reader response:

“Impossible to put down.”
Readers repeatedly describe the book as compulsively readable, often mentioning long, uninterrupted reading sessions and difficulty stopping once they begin.

Strikingly immersive and cinematic.
Many readers say the novel feels “like a film,” praising its vivid scenes, visual detail, and strong sense of atmosphere.

Emotionally intense and unsettling in a good way.
The book provokes strong emotional reactions — shock, anger, tenderness, discomfort — and is often described as lingering in the reader’s mind long after finishing.

Unusually gripping for a long literary novel.
Readers frequently note surprise that a nearly 500-page literary work maintains tension and momentum throughout.

A raw, honest portrayal of late-Soviet life.
Commenters emphasize the authenticity of the setting, describing it as brutal, absurd, and deeply believable rather than nostalgic or sanitized.

Complex, unforgettable characters.
Jonas, in particular, is often cited as flawed but compelling, with readers appreciating the moral ambiguity rather than clear-cut heroism.

Darkly humorous despite the brutality.
Readers note the presence of irony, sharp humor, and absurdity that balance the violence and despair.

A strong coming-of-age story.
Many frame the novel as a formative journey from youth to adulthood, marked by loss of innocence and moral compromise.

A sense of loss when the book ends.
A common reaction is disappointment that the story is over, with multiple readers expressing a desire to stay longer in the world or follow the characters further.

Sequel interest and long-term engagement.
Readers frequently mention wanting a continuation or another novel by the author, indicating sustained interest beyond the final page.