Victim

A Novel

By: Andrew Boryga

Narrated by: Anthony Rey Perez

FINALIST FOR THE GOTHAM BOOK PRIZE • AN NPR, BBC, AND DEBUTIFUL BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • There’s a fine line between bending the truth and telling bold-faced lies, and Javier Perez is willing to cross it. Victim is a fearless satire about a hustler from the Bronx who sees through the veneer of diversity initiatives and decides to cash in on the odd currency of identity.

"A crowning achievement." —New York Times Book Review • "You will burn through Victim and find your hands scalded when you are done…Pitch perfect." —Xochitl Gonzalez, New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming

Javier Perez is a hustler from a family of hustlers. He learns from an early age how to play the game to his own advantage, how his background—murdered drug dealer dad, single cash-strapped mom, best friend serving time for gang activity—can be a key to doors he didn’t even know existed. This kind of story, molded in the right way, is just what college admissions committees are looking for, and a full academic scholarship to a prestigious university brings Javi one step closer to his dream of becoming a famous writer.

As a college student, Javi embellishes his life story until there’s not even a kernel of truth left. The only real connection to his past is the occasional letter he trades with his childhood best friend, Gio, who doesn’t seem to care about Javi’s newfound awareness of white privilege or the school-to-prison pipeline. Soon after Javi graduates, a viral essay transforms him from a writer on the rise to a journalist at a legendary magazine where the editors applaud his “unique perspective.” But Gio more than anyone knows who Javi really is, and sees through his game. Once Gio’s released from prison and Javi offers to cut him in on the deal, will he play along with Javi’s charade, or will it all come crumbling down?

A satirical sendup of tear-jerking trauma plots with a tender portrait of friendship at its core, Victim asks what real diversity looks like and how far one man is willing to go to make his story hit the right notes.

the satirical novel America needs right now

Well narrated, funny and highly plausible.
I hope this book achieves the success I think it deserves.

As a bonus, it manages to make beans and rice sound appetizing.
good stuff

Unique, totally engaging storytelling. Narration is 🔥

Such a fresh voice and theme. I loved the way this story built and unfolded, the details of specific time and place, and the character complexity and the unlikable likability.

Truthfully, nothing crazy happens

I normally don't enjoy listening to books that are just a constant stream of thoughts and little actions, but the narrator has a very calm and soothing voice. he didn't change his tone much when switching characters but you could still tell when was who. book did very well with its critique of "online warriors" and unchecked social justice actions/behaviors. solid read

2024 Book of The Year

This book one of those books that you pick up and can’t put down.

It was like hearing 3 Feet High and Rising (De La Soul) for the first time.

Instant Classic

I was blown away by Boryga’s style of writing.

Honesty

I was a gut wrenching story of a hard learned life lesson. Hopefully the audience won’t consider further punishment necessary!

Intriguing

A good eye-opener about the appeal of excuses. Well written and well read. Believable and educational

The Satire "Diversity Inc." Deserves

Andrew Boryga's Victim, awesomely narrated by Anthony Ray Perez, is the satire "Diversity, Inc." (Big shouts to Pamela Newkirk) deserves.

Like the best of satires, it will make some readers uncomfortable because of how Boryga takes no prisoners—both perpetrator & "victims" (no pun) are targets—but like the best of satires, it's not meant to be comfortable.

"Diversity, Inc." will rightfully get a lot of shine & centering when referring to this novel, but another huge bit that readers shouldn't lose sight of is the impact of social media; the currency & impact of the attention economy. The desperation it often creates & the addiction it cause when you are given your 15 minutes of fame, even in a circle as small as the writing community.

Javier Perez is a protagonist that will stick with you in ways similar to Thelonious Monk Ellison (Erasure) & Juniper Song (Yellowface).

interesting book, excellently narrated.

I am very much looking forward to hear more from both the author and the narrator.

the rawness

I loved the story. The come back. The feel good. riches to rags and back again.

Lots of layers. Perfect narration of a point-of-view that becomes increasingly convincing as the story develops

way better than Yellowface, not as great as Erasure, interesting and insightful look at writers as cultural impostors