
The Bombshell
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Imani Jade Powers
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By:
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Darrow Farr
About this listen
Washington Post's "10 Noteworthy Books for May"
"An escapist, Hollywood-ready excursion to Corsica."—Vogue
"A lush, cinematic and propulsive novel filled with sex, violence, glamor and a true revolutionary spirit. It's a towering literary achievement."—Adam Johnson, Pulitzer Prize winner
A young woman's radicalization sparks a widespread movement and media frenzy in this explosive novel of youthful passion, political awakening and first love, by an extraordinary new talent.
Corsica, 1993. As a sun-drenched Mediterranean summer heads into full swing, beautiful and brash seventeen-year-old Séverine Guimard is counting down the days until graduation, dreaming of stardom while smoking cigarettes, and seducing boys in her class to pass the time. The pampered French American daughter of a politician, Séverine knows she’s destined for bigger things.
That is, until one night, Séverine is snatched off her bike by a militant trio fighting for Corsican independence and held for a large ransom. When the men fumble negotiating her release, the four become unlikely housemates deep in the island’s remote interior. Eager to gain the upper hand, Séverine sets out to charm her captors, and soon the handsome, intellectual leader, Bruno, the gentle university student, Tittu, and even the gruff, unflappable Petru grow to enjoy the company of their headstrong hostage.
As Séverine is exposed to the group’s politics, they ignite something unexpected within her, and their ideas begin to take root. With her flair for the spotlight and newfound beliefs, Séverine becomes the face of a radical movement for a global TV audience. What follows is a summer of passion and terror, careening toward an inevitable, explosive conclusion, as Séverine steps into the biggest role of her life.
An electric novel by an extraordinary new talent, The Bombshell is filled with seduction and fervor, and explores the wonders and perils of youthful idealism, the combustibility of celebrity, and the sublime force of young love.
Critic reviews
"An escapist, Hollywood-ready excursion to Corsica… Youthful idealism is fun, but what happens when the bill comes due? The final pages provide a touching answer you don’t quite expect.”—Vogue
“Farr’s accomplished debut deftly balances heady ruminations on colonialism and revolution with relatable human moments…vibrant prose lends texture and urgency, while the fully fleshed characters’ increasingly thorny interpersonal relationships raise the story’s stakes and give it soul. A passionate powder keg of a novel.”—Kirkus Reviews
"A lush, cinematic and propulsive novel filled with sex, violence, glamor and a true revolutionary spirit. It's a towering literary achievement. The Bombshell is certain to be the debut of the year, a true must-read."—Adam Johnson, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner
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