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American Subversive: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.04) - 406 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
As the twenty-first century enters its second decade, foreign wars, the lingering recession, and a caustic political environment are taking their toll on Americans. But the party hasn't ended for Aidan Cole and his friends, a band of savvy, if cynical, New York journalists and bloggers who thrive at the intersection of media and celebrity. At wine-sodden dinner parties or in dimly lit downtown bars, their frenetic talk—of scoops and page views, sexual adventures, and trendy restaurants—continues unabated. Then, without warning, the specter of terrorism reenters their lives. A bomb rips through the deserted floor of a midtown office tower. Middle Eastern terrorists are immediately suspected. But four days later, with no arrests and a city on edge, an anonymous e-mail arrives in Aidan's in-box. Attached is the photograph of an attractive, young white woman, along with a chilling message: "This is Paige Roderick. She's the one responsible."
So begins an extraordinary journey into the dark soul of modern America—from a back-to-the-land community in the Smoky Mountains to a Weather Underground–like bomb factory in Vermont; from Fishers Island, isolated getaway of the wealthy elite, to the hip lofts of Manhattan's Meatpacking District. American Subversive is David Goodwillie's sharp and penetrating take on the paranoia of our times—and its real, untold dangers. In examining the connection between our collective apathy and the roots of insurrection, Goodwillie has crafted an intoxicating story of two young Americans grasping for a foothold in a culture—and a country—that's crumbling around them.
With this debut novel, Goodwillie announces himself as a major new voice in American fiction. Expertly written, relentlessly suspenseful, and bitingly funny, American Subversive is both an unnervingly realistic tale of domestic terrorism and a perfectly observed portrait of Manhattan in the digital age.
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"A disappointed idealist turned terrorist, and a New York blogger on her tracks. A gripping read that jumps back and forth in time, suggesting that not all Americans are willing to settle for rich, fat and happy. A Kenyon College graduate, the author worked as a private investigator and as dot com and Sotheby's worker, building up experiences that ground the book in reality."
— Clay (4 out of 5 stars)
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[A] hip and quick-paced thriller.
— The New York Times -
“A triumphant work of fiction.”
— Associated Press -
“A rare novel that gets the moment even as we’re living it… A fast-paced, engaging novel of pop-culture and big ideas, authentically subversive, and thoroughly American.”
— Daily Beast -
“In this thriller-cum-political-manifesto, Goodwillie provides an unnerving, completely credible portrait of the roots of domestic terrorism and the frequently soulless quality of modern American life.”
— Booklist -
“[A] smart, edgy, suspenseful first novel…Goodwillie evokes life underground like a master—the tradecraft, the fraught group dynamics, the combination of discipline and paranoia, the longing for normality.”
— Kirkus Reviews
American Subversive Listener Reviews
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" Finishing a novel is a significant accomplishment for me. Finishing it in two days is exceptional. This first novel by David Goodwillie is a page-turner for sure: compelling characters and dialogue, and the whole milieu is very today. Recommended. "
— Scott, 1/28/2014 -
" So cheesy! But I also couldn't stop reading it. "
— Laura, 1/24/2014 -
" I liked this a lot. It used a slightly different approach to the story of how the main characters ended up wanted by the FBI, especially Aidan's story. The story of Paige and Keith and Lindsay felt exactly right; Aidan's story, not so much. But a good story nevertheless. "
— Laurie, 12/31/2013 -
" I liked the alternating viewpoints with each chapter, and the build-up of suspense as the story progressed. It was also interesting to read about a woman participating in these activities against the government and society. I really wasn't sure how the book would turn out, and that was a good thing. "
— Vanessa, 12/29/2013 -
" Some good story but seems like it needed a good edit. Read like the author could've cut some. Still fun, though & worth a read. "
— Fwdecker, 12/24/2013 -
" Disappointing -- a good idea, but the writing is weak and the characters are one dimensional and annoying. Author is self-satisfied and clearly wrote the male protagonist as his stand in. "
— Miranda, 1/20/2013 -
" a great read.entertaining but not trashy. "
— James, 11/9/2012 -
" This book looks at how several people get involved with taking action against powerful organizations through different routes. The interconnection of the stories has interesting twists through the narrative and looks at ways people have/might place their focus to overthrow powerful organizations. "
— Heather, 7/21/2012 -
" Good writing, good story, enjoyable. "
— Jenn, 4/7/2012 -
" This book was amazing. I could not put it down. I recommend this book to anyone who thinks this country needs some help, because it shows the pros and cons of terrorism and it shows the medias side of the story. (The liberal media) "
— Evert, 2/10/2012 -
" Fast-paced novel about two young people who get caught up in an eco-terrorist group. Fascinating depictions of the "American malaise. The triumph of the wealthy: complete disengagement, derived not from admirable self-sufficiency but sickening self-regard." "
— Kristin, 11/26/2011 -
" This was a fast paced fun thriller with more of a message than I thought. The ending was done really well - I couldn't imagine how the author was going to pull off the ending (and thought for sure I would be disappointed) but it was very well done. "
— Al, 6/25/2011 -
" super fun to read and interesting commentary about modern (particularly new york) culture. curious people. weekhawken street- nice touch. what an odd little street to still exist as it does. "
— Kathleen, 6/24/2011 -
" Finished it. A must read book. "
— Steven, 6/12/2011 -
" Fast-paced novel about two young people who get caught up in an eco-terrorist group. Fascinating depictions of the "American malaise. The triumph of the wealthy: complete disengagement, derived not from admirable self-sufficiency but sickening self-regard."<br/><br/> "
— Kristin, 5/30/2011 -
" People can be changed in an instant. This wonderfully perceptive novel explores this process in the lives of two people of seeming privilege willing to give up everything for an ideal. "
— Sloan, 1/16/2011 -
" So cheesy! But I also couldn't stop reading it. "
— Laura, 1/12/2011 -
" A decent story, glammed-up for probable cinematic adaptation with just enough forward propulsion that you will probably enjoy it in spite of its absurd plot twists, hilariously improbable characterizations and multiple, suspension-of-disbelief-shattering factual errors. <br/> "
— Alison, 1/12/2011 -
" Terrific tale of homegrown terrorism; idealism takes a very wrong turn. Very political and very thoughtful. "
— Worth, 1/11/2011 -
" Interesting approach to telling a story through the eyes of the key characters in the story. "
— Bob, 1/3/2011 -
" This book combines a very compelling story with really great writing. Very good novel. "
— Ryan, 1/3/2011 -
" Excellent book, though the author never gives the reader a coherent sense of what the decay of American culture means or entails in the book. This is a big miss, since this perspective is what drives his characters to do irrational, extreme things. "
— Miki, 12/24/2010
About David Goodwillie
David Goodwillie writes about books for the New York Times and the Daily Beast, and his fiction and nonfiction have appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers, including New York, Popular Science, Men’s Health, Black Book, the New York Observer, and the New York Post. His novel American Subversive was named a New York Times Notable Book of 2010. He is also the author of the memoir Seemed like a Good Idea at the Time, for which he was named one of the “Best New Writers of 2006” by members of the PEN American Center. Goodwillie has played professional baseball, worked as a private investigator, and been an expert at Sotheby’s auction house. A graduate of Kenyon College, he lives in New York City.
About the Narrators
Tavia Gilbert is an acclaimed narrator of more than four hundred full-cast and multivoice audiobooks for virtually every publisher in the industry. Named the 2018 Voice of Choice by Booklist magazine, she is also winner of the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. She has earned numerous Earphones Awards, a Voice Arts Award, and a Listen-Up Award. Audible.com has named her a Genre-Defining Narrator: Master of Memoir. In addition to voice acting, she is an accomplished producer, singer, and theater actor. She is also a producer, singer, photographer, and a writer, as well as the cofounder of a feminist publishing company, Animal Mineral.
David Drummond has made his living as an actor for over twenty-five years, appearing on stages large and small throughout the country and in Seattle, Washington, his hometown. He has narrated over thirty audiobooks, in genres ranging from current political commentary to historical nonfiction, fantasy, military, thrillers, and humor. He received an AudioFile Earphones Award for his first audiobook, Love ’Em or Lose ’Em: Getting Good People to Stay. When not narrating, he keeps busy writing plays and stories for children.