The Violence Audiobook By Delilah S. Dawson cover art

The Violence

A Novel

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The Violence

By: Delilah S. Dawson
Narrated by: Hillary Huber
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About this listen

How far would you go to be free? Three generations of women forge a new path through an America torn by a mysterious wave of violence in this “chilling [and] dizzyingly effective” (The New York Times Book Review) novel of revenge, liberation, and triumph.

“A compulsively readable fusion of domestic thriller and modern horror.”—Kameron Hurley, author of The Light Brigade

“A novel that defines this era.”—Stephen Graham Jones, New York Times bestselling author of The Only Good Indians

FINALIST FOR THE ITW THRILLER AWARD • ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times

They call it The Violence: a strange epidemic that causes the infected to experience sudden bursts of animalistic rage, with no provocation and no memory of their crimes. While it tears the nation apart, one woman sees something unlikely in the chaos—an opportunity.

Chelsea Martin has been a prisoner in her own home for too long. Her controlling husband has manipulated her for years, cutting her off from all support. Her narcissistic mother is no help, and her teen daughter is realizing she might be falling into the same trap when her once adoring boyfriend shows a dark side.

But when the Violence erupts, Chelsea creates a plan to liberate herself and her daughters once and for all.

What follows is a shocking and thrilling journey as three generations of women navigate a world in which they are finally empowered to fight back. Somewhere along the journey from her magazine-ready Tampa home to the professional wrestling ring, Chelsea becomes her own liberator, an avatar of revenge and hope, and a new heroine for a new world.

©2022 Delilah S. Dawson (P)2022 Random House Audio
Action & Adventure Dystopian Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Science Fiction Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Heartfelt Thriller
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Critic reviews

"Dawson’s thriller is a surprising, exhilarating journey of three generations of women navigating a changing world.”The Washington Post

“Every summer needs a superb thriller, and this is it. A story of three generations of women making their way through an America ravaged by violence, this is also a wonderful narrative about liberation and perseverance.”The Boston Globe

“Dawson’s prose is a kind of knife work: short, sharp stabs after agonies of teeth-clenching tension. . . . Dizzyingly effective . . . It’s impossible not to read.”The New York Times Book Review

Engaging Storyline • Powerful Character Development • Emotional Rollercoaster • Unexpected Twists • Satisfying Ending
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I didn't expect much going into this book but it was really good. More suspenseful than you might expect the narrator was fantastic as always.

I liked it a lot!

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The premise of the Violence was very interesting. I really enjoyed the characters (especially Patricia). However there was too much naval gazing (especially in the last quarter), too many cliches and politics.

Could have been better

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It was totally different and entertaining. I couldn't stop listening and liked the ending.

I really enjoyed this book!

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I loved this book. Such a great commentary of life these days and the struggle of those abused

Amazing!

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An unrealistic situation but a very realistic reaction by most of the characters. Loved the changes in many of the characters. The ending was a little too pat. But oh so satisfying! Bad guy gets his and those who grew survived happily ever after.

Character development

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I will give nothing away outside of the title of this review. Smart, current, scathing social commentary, gut-wrenching, compelling, disturbing and uplifting.

The narration is outstanding and this is a near perfect listen. I only write near perfect because I don't believe in perfection.

Holy cow patties Flirida Woman!

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I was really loving this story in the beginning. The three points of view from the mother, grandmother, and eldest daughter were so great. I loved that they had so many echoed experiences. The book started to get shaky for me when the family split up. It hit a bit of a hump in the middle that it struggled to come back from. I am satisfied with the end of this and there are so many great quotable lines but in the end I wish it hadn’t lost the momentum it had in the beginning.

A good story

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It was a pretty good story. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this. Read it, go!

Pretty good

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The author really put together a fabulous tale. Although the VFR angle was a little off the rails, somehow it worked. Narration was excellent.

Unlike anything I've read before

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Wow. So many complex themes wrapped in a journey of self-discovery and suffused with deep emotions and revelations. I felt both empowered and saddened by the struggles faced by the main characters. The narrative style and shifting perspectives made me feel both omniscient and clueless as to what might happen next. A passionate and strong performance by the narrator was a perfect compliment to the story. Highly recommend!

So much more than the title suggests

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