The Resisters

By: Gish Jen

Narrated by: William DeMeritt

Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

"The Resisters is palpably loving, smart, funny, and desperately unsettling. The novel should be required reading for the country both as a cautionary tale and because it is a stone-cold masterpiece. This is Gish Jen's moment. She has pitched a perfect game." (Ann Patchett)

The time: not so long from now. The place: AutoAmerica. The land: half under water. The Internet: one part artificial intelligence, one part surveillance technology, and oddly human - even funny. The people: Divided. The angel-fair "Netted" have jobs, and literally occupy the high ground. The "Surplus" live on swampland if they're lucky, on water if they're not.

The story: To a Surplus couple - he once a professor, she still a lawyer - is born a Blasian girl with a golden arm. At two, Gwen is hurling her stuffed animals from the crib; by 10, she can hit whatever target she likes. Her teens find her happily playing in an underground baseball league.

When AutoAmerica rejoins the Olympics, though - with a special eye on beating ChinRussia - Gwen attracts interest. Soon she finds herself playing ball with the Netted even as her mother challenges the very foundations of this divided society.

A moving and important story of an America that seems ever more possible, The Resisters is also the story of one family struggling to maintain its humanity and normalcy in circumstances that threaten their every value - as well as their very existence.

Extraordinary and ordinary, charming and electrifying, this is Gish Jen at her most irresistible.

©2020 Gish Jen (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“[A] shrewd and provocative near-future novel...[Jen’s] intelligence and control shine through in a chilling portrait of the casual acceptance of totalitarianism.” (Publishers Weekly)

“In this astutely realized and unnervingly possible depiction of a near-future world, Jen masterfully entwines shrewd mischief, knowing compassion, and profound social critique in a suspenseful tale encompassing baseball ardor, family love, newly insidious forms of racism and tyranny, and a wily and righteous resistance movement that declares ‘RIGHT MAKES RIGHT.’” (Donna Seaman, Booklist, starred review)

“Subtle dystopian fiction...beautifully crafted and slyly unsettling... The juxtaposition of America’s pastime and the AI-enabled surveillance state Jen presents here is brilliant.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

sussy baka

when the imposter is sus. the book is okay. I need more words but oh well.

Compelling read, had my attention.

I thought I might enjoy this dystopian novel after hearing an NPR interview with the author, Gish Jen, and I said that's for me. I am an Alexa enthusiast and we have 4 in our home. So it's interesting to see what can happen when IA is out of control. so don't be lazy, get up and move to the book store and buy. or ask Alexa to buy the audio book on Amazon 😁

Well worn dystopian theme made fresh with baseball

The dystopian themes this book explores, mainly the effects of climate change and dependence on smarter AI's, are certainly not new. Yet this book still manages to stand out from the crowd. I must admit that I am a baseball fan, which makes me biased in favour of the authors approach. But using a 19th century pastoral game was such a good contrast to a overly technological and crowded 21st century society. It kept the story feeling light hearted as it dealt with some heavy themes. I think this is why other reviewers have commented that it feels like a teen or YA novel. I do think this book would be a good introduction to dystopian fiction for a high school English class. I am 39 and long passed high school, but enjoyed it very much.

A different view of the singubarrity.

This is an excellent book with a view of the future that the monopoly of the internet and the rise of unfettered AI might become. This includes the rise of unapologetic racism that many now embrace. Great cbaracters and a thought provoking ending

more of a teen book

I heard the author on PBS radio and enjoyed it, so I bought the book But though quasi enjoyable it really seems like more of a teenage targeted book and I wanted more.

Baseball Bonanza!

If you love constant baseball analogies and baseball lore, you'll really like this book, I do not. This story was generally set in the future, but beyond Aunt Nettie and a vague threat of being cast out, not enough "dystopian" to hold my interest. Meh.

Well developed and thought provoking

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The narrator was good, he didn't have super distinct voices among the characters, but he was a good storyteller without taking anything away.
As for the story - my goodness but that was well done! Very well developed dystopian world and lots of good commentary about where the world could head. I can see why some people said there was too much baseball, I'm a fan myself, but the author did get into some serious detail about pitching and training and so forth so if you're super uninterested in baseball, I could see that dragging out for you.
Overall I will definitely listen to this one again!

Fantastic. A modern classic.

Gish Jen gives us a “1984” for the 21st century, but with a small wink towards hope for the future.

Looking for more like it!

This was a fantastic book. I wish I could find a few more like it. I rather enjoy hearing different takes on the future and what it might look like it. This books does that and adds in baseball to give it life and character. I'm not a fan of baseball but I enjoyed it in this book. Everytime I pass it in my library I wish for 5 more like it.

Sorry as Resistance

…a frightening possible near future of invasive AI and stark economic division as a result of climate and technology. Do some digging into the real names (and referential names) of team players and you’ll get a glimpse into baseball history of color and gender. Family dynamics figures strongly as well as the daughter leaves the nurturing home for the larger world. The social commentary his very close to present day and near future possibilities. This would be a good book to share as a family or in a group with in-depth discussion.