The
Violence, by Delilah
S. Dawson (Del Rey)
What a powerful, disturbing, exhilarating novel! In the
beginning, three generations of women are struggling with domestic violence and
oppression in different ways, with Chelsea in the middle generation. Her
husband terrorizes her, sometimes choking her into unconsciousness and keeping
her isolated and financially dependent on him. Her mother, once a destitute
teen mother, has sought security in a loveless but wealthy marriage and become
obsessed with conformity and her own survival. Now her teenage daughter is
about to fall into the same trap when her once adoring boyfriend shows a dark,
possessive side. Chelsea knows her chances of making a successful break for
freedom are slim to none with her husband’s law enforcement and lawyer buddies
to corroborate his side of the story. Her life seems hopeless until The
Violence strikes, a viral epidemic that causes bursts of unprovoked, deadly rage
that leave no memory of their deeds. In a scenario eerily reminiscent
of the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, the rich wall themselves into
enclaves while lawlessness takes hold. Soon Chelsea finds herself separated
from her family, on the run in a landscape of senseless carnage. Then she
stumbles on the Violence Fight circuit, successor to pro wrestling with its vivid
persona, costumes, and choreographed moves, and she begins reclaiming her life.
Part revenge-wish-fulfillment, part allegory of what happens
when the downtrodden revolt, part examination of society-wide misogyny, The Violence delivers a breath-taking
page-turner.
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