The Bombshell

A Novel

By: Darrow Farr

Narrated by: Imani Jade Powers

Jezebel’s July Book Club Pick

"If a book could possess “French-Girl Style,” The Bombshell would have it... effortlessly cool: a smart, sophisticated tale of sexual and political awakening over the course of a fateful summer.”—New York Times Book Review

"An escapist, Hollywood-ready excursion to Corsica."—Vogue

"A lush, cinematic and propulsive novel filled with sex, violence, glamor and a true revolutionary spirit. It's a towering literary achievement."—Adam Johnson, Pulitzer Prize winner

Corsica, 1993. As a sun-drenched Mediterranean summer heads into full swing, beautiful and brash seventeen-year-old Séverine Guimard is counting down the days until graduation, dreaming of stardom while smoking cigarettes, and seducing boys in her class to pass the time. The pampered French American daughter of a politician, Séverine knows she’s destined for bigger things.

That is, until one night, Séverine is snatched off her bike by a militant trio fighting for Corsican independence and held for a large ransom. When the men fumble negotiating her release, the four become unlikely housemates deep in the island’s remote interior. Eager to gain the upper hand, Séverine sets out to charm her captors, and soon the handsome, intellectual leader, Bruno, the gentle university student, Tittu, and even the gruff, unflappable Petru grow to enjoy the company of their headstrong hostage.

As Séverine is exposed to the group’s politics, they ignite something unexpected within her, and their ideas begin to take root. With her flair for the spotlight and newfound beliefs, Séverine becomes the face of a radical movement for a global TV audience. What follows is a summer of passion and terror, careening toward an inevitable, explosive conclusion, as Séverine steps into the biggest role of her life.

An electric novel by an extraordinary new talent, The Bombshell is filled with seduction and fervor, and explores the wonders and perils of youthful idealism, the combustibility of celebrity, and the sublime force of young love.

Excellent

I loves the story, the performance, and the twists and turns of this book. I’m so glad my friend recommended it!

plot twists

The Bombshell by Darrow Farr is smart, stylish, and scandalously fun. A must-read. Filled with page turning plot twists.

romantic kidnapping

interestin story, less violence than I expected but I liked it. got me interested in politics and the history og corsica which I new nothing about

Fabulous

I loved the story. The history of it all and the romance. Darrow wrote an incredible story, I felt like I was there with them fighting.

Narration inflection same pattern throughout book

Narration didn’t appeal to me - mostly the end of sentence inflection. Always the same inflection from sentence to sentence. Story wasn’t compelling during first 3/4 of book. Overall though, entire story ended up more compelling thanks to climax event and the resolution.