The Violence

A Novel

By: Delilah S. Dawson

Narrated by: Hillary Huber

Length: 18 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

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

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

I liked it a lot!

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.

Could have been better

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.

Amazing!

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

I really enjoyed this book!

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

Holy cow patties Flirida Woman!

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.

Pretty good

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

A good story

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.

Unlike anything I've read before

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

What a.wonderfully creative story about survival

I stumbled upon this book and I am so happy to say that it was one of the best books I have listened to. And believe me that is saying a lot.( I have almost 600 books from audible. )
This story has it all. Laughter, intrigue, fear and the best part, truth. I loved learning about the characters, and how change and forgiveness is apart of living. This book is NOT about male bashing. It is more about recognizing the bad and enjoying the good. I will recommend this book everyone!

pandemics in more ways then one!

super interesting perspective on the ills of man in various ways, showing how far we have moved away from healthy.