The Exodus

By: David Fairchild

Narrated by: Jacqueline Rendell

Length: 21 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

A girl who feels nothing; a boy who sees shadows and hears what others cannot; a baby without license to be born; a deaf teenager and scientific savant; offensive people; a general who passed law to hunt, imprison, and kill them all.

Where do they hide when the sub-nations of the United States draw their own lines in the ground that dictate which people get to be oppressed and who gets to be offended?

The Salvo Cartel built the tunnels to help them escape, to aid those with mental ailments, those who question, those who refuse to conform, gays, Christians, artists, people with scruples, and other deviants.

Do they flee to Salvo's underground cities, with eyes set on a grander safe place?

Where do they go when Lady Liberty douses her light?

Perhaps the same place she's been pointing her torch towards ever since she stepped atop her pedestal and realized at once that one day she, too, would be told to shut up.

©2020 David Fairchild (P)2021 David Fairchild

"Bite and Stab."

Dark tunnels owned by a crime cartel, the mysterious Salvo, through which people in fear of the authorities can, perhaps, escape, plus cannibalistic gameplayers, a seven years old murderous child who feels nothing, a flying cow, an orphaned baby, hunters, slavers, Mr.Porridge, Sally, Anvil and Scatt and many more...
Set in a slightly futuristic U.S.A. turned Land of the Oppressed, this book is peopled with well drawn characters, mostly rather weird but still realistically plausible, and in particular two young women who at first reluctantly move together through the hostile landscape trying to survive. It is an engaging story, well written, and the more than twenty one hour length does take the reader into that world in a way that a story half the length would probably not achieve. Yet I personally found that a decent editing of the first part would have been advantageous: with the close detailing of every morsel of food eaten, the comfort breaks (including what and disposal methods) and constant counting of steps, I had to force myself to continue after slogging through the first four plus hours until part two, beyond which I was gripped.
Narrator, Jacqueline Rendell, was superb, giving separate and distinctive voice to each of the many respondents, reading also with good modulation, timing and emotion: quite mastery. However, her delivery was too slow, this easily being rectified by increasing playback slightly. However, a fine performance.

Overall, this was an excellent read, thought provoking, horrific in the implications but with a touch of farce. A definite recommendation for anyone especially those who enjoyed the sentiments behind Brave New World, or 1984. My deep thanks to the rights holder who, at my request, freely gifted me with a complimentary copy of The Exodus, via Audiobook Boom.

The future that might be

This book explores a future where the government controls everything and people will comply, or is this now. The characters really are well written and you understand what they are and want to know what is next. The narrator was easy to listen to a added a great flow to the story. If you are looking for something about a dystopian future that will draw you in then this is a book for you.

Creative Twists and Story

This is a story about people identified as “undesirables” or “different.” What happens when the United States deems them as unacceptable – too old, mentally different, or vocally opposed to the current government? The world is run by the elitists who keep the “undesirables” down and keep the remaining people oppressed in one manner or another.

Add in a Cartel run by Salvo; the underground cities where everyone deemed unfit elsewhere are eagerly welcomed and given a place to succeed provided, they are honest and upfront. There is no room for bullies, thieves, or liars. Mix in two young girls with a mission – finding their mothers in the underground cities regardless of whom they must kill to get there.

The author, David Fairchild, does an excellent job of creating characters that fit perfectly into this world. He methodically builds each character and situation giving the listener a front-row seat throughout the story. I have to say, he had my attention in less than 90 seconds into the story. I had to keep listening to hear where he was going to take me. This book is a truly action-packed story.

This is an epic-length story that is packed full of action, intrigue, and nail-biting moments. I loved how Fairchild would constantly build different situations for each character enhancing the plot only to throw in a twist at the last minute that was out of the blue but perfect! Let’s just say … keep the marbles away from your children if you happen to upset them! Fairchild is very creative!

The narrator, Jacqueline Rendell, is perfect for this book. She gives a performance that allows the listener to keep the characters straight, gives each character their unique voice, and builds on their attitudes/personalities. She speaks smoothly and with the right amount of inflection.

Overall, this is one of those rare books that will keep you on the edge of your chair and give you moments of introspection. You will not be able to put this audiobook down.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook, it was clear and well produced.

Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.