Culpability

A Novel

De: Bruce Holsinger

Narrado por: Stacy Carolan, January LaVoy

• Oprah’s Book Club Pick •

“I was riveted until the very last shocking sentence!”—Oprah Winfrey

“The most of-the-moment novel I’ve read all year, and it’s the book of the summer.”—Real Simple

Set at a summer rental on the Chesapeake Bay, a riveting family drama about moral responsibility in the age of artificial intelligence.

When the Cassidy-Shaws’ autonomous minivan collides with an oncoming car, seventeen-year-old Charlie is in the driver’s seat, with his father, Noah, riding shotgun. In the back seat, tweens Alice and Izzy are on their phones, while their mother, Lorelei, a world leader in the field of artificial intelligence, is absorbed in her work. Yet each family member harbors a secret that implicates them in the accident.

During a weeklong recuperation on the Chesapeake Bay, the family confronts the excruciating moral dilemmas triggered by the crash. Noah tries to hold the family together as a seemingly routine police investigation jeopardizes Charlie’s future. Alice and Izzy turn strangely furtive. And Lorelei’s odd behavior tugs at Noah’s suspicions that there is a darker truth behind the incident—suspicions heightened by the sudden intrusion of Daniel Monet, a tech mogul whose mysterious history with Lorelei hints at betrayal. When Charlie falls for Monet’s teenaged daughter, the stakes are raised even higher in this propulsive family drama that is also a fascinating exploration of the moral responsibility and ethical consequences of AI.

Culpability explores a world newly shaped by chatbots, autonomous cars, drones, and other nonhuman forces in ways that are thrilling, challenging, and unimaginably provocative.

To hear Oprah Winfrey interview author Bruce Holsinger, please visit the July 8 episode of the ‘Oprah’s Book Club: Presented by Starbucks’ podcast on the platform of your choice.

©2025 Bruce Holsinger (P)2025 Spiegel & Grau by Spotify Audiobooks

Timeliness of subject matter

I thoroughly enjoyed the story as well as the timeliness of the subject matter in our world. I liked the narration and felt that we got to know that dad's character very well and the children's as well. Finally in the end we better understand the mother one of my favorite books in a long time that I couldn't wait to listen to.

Very compelling!

One of my favorite stories of the year! It’s a relatable and a cautionary tale. Thought-provoking, and great book club discussions!

A cautionary tale.

I was so very impressed by the authors, quality, clarity and the detail of writing. It was a wonderful story. I learned something about AI and the responsibility, stewardship and the future considerations of its existence.
The other piece is the human story of this family. It was interesting to be a part of their lives and it was also shocking at the end to find out that the one daughter was complicit in what happened. I can only imagine that it wouldn’t bode well for her as she gets older.

Excellent

The story is compelling and grabs you. It’s also a commentary on humans and technology and responsibility when things go wrong.

Starts out a bit weak and every turn creates more depth if u stay with it!

I liked that both mom and dad were willing to sacrifice something for their kids and their family!

Timely topic

Culpability covers the topic of AI and its impact on all of but especially one family. Good read.

A Timely, Thought-Provoking Dive into AI Ethics

A fascinating and relevant exploration of artificial intelligence, capability, and ethics — made even more meta by the fact that I asked AI to help write this review. The story blends insight and tension, showing just how close we are to the next great technological shift. It’s both a warning and an inspiration, leaving you thinking long after the last page.

Excellent read

Such an important topic begin to understand in this time when AI is so prevent in our daily lives.

the timeliness of the plot

The interesting family dynamics & timely subject matter make for a great read& listen . I recommend

Good story but went on too long

This is a good and compelling and heartbreaking story as well as a commentary on the dangers of AI. Unfortunately, an editorial error tried to pack too many egregious incidents into one storyline, which would have been just as well in a whole different novel.