Reviews
"No one could accuse David Goodwillie of playing it safe in his first novel... The book moves like a potboiler... Sequel, please?"--VanityFair.com, "[A] smart, edgy, suspenseful first novel... Goodwillie evokes life underground like a master--the tradecraft, the fraught group dynamics, the combination of discipline and paranoia, the longing for normality."-- Kirkus, "American Subversive reads like the unholy spawn of Tom Wolfe and F. Scott Fitzgerald. It has all the white-knuckle pleasures of the political thriller--combined with a thoroughly postmodern love story. He has an insider's feel for New York's too-knowing new-media culture, and a writer's eye for its emptiness."-- David Gates, author ofJernigan, "David Goodwillie is an exceptional and fine young talent. He can write. In American Subversive you will find him witty and ironic, funny, fast and sharp."-- Alan Furst, author ofThe Spies of Warsaw, "[A] hip and quick-paced literary thriller . . . Goodwillie excels at jet-black social satire in a style reminiscent of Bret Easton Ellis. . . In Aidan's voice, he has written a scathing and hilarious indictment of our bizarre moment in time."—Malena Watrous,New York Times Book Review, 'Boasting literary antecedents ranging from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Tom Wolfe to Jay McInerney, Goodwillie offers a remarkable tale of one man's search for meaning and purpose beyond the superficialities of contemporary urban life.'—Library Journal, "[A] smart, edgy, suspenseful first novel& Goodwillie evokes life underground like a master--the tradecraft, the fraught group dynamics, the combination of discipline and paranoia, the longing for normality."- Kirkus, "A new voice has entered the city--youthful, wise, and with an enthralling story to tell. Goodwillie's rendering of an American woman seduced by radicalism skillfully examines the enduring themes of our lives: politics, media, loyalty and love."-- Gay Talese, author ofA Writer's Life, "[A] smart, edgy, suspenseful first novel… Goodwillie evokes life underground like a master--the tradecraft, the fraught group dynamics, the combination of discipline and paranoia, the longing for normality."- Kirkus, "David Goodwille's writing is explosive, engaging and captivating.American Subversivewill jolt you out of your seat. After reading this powerful thriller you'll be looking over your shoulder, and down forested lanes, worried what's out there."-- Ridley Pearson, author ofKiller Summer, "A rare novel that gets the moment even as we're living it... A fast-paced, engaging novel of pop-culture and big ideas, authentically subversive, and thoroughly American."- The Daily Beast, "The novel is thoughtful and dead-on in its presentation of our post-recession, digitally obsessed, self-centered and seemingly morally bankrupt culture."—Carol Memmott,USA Today, "A rare novel that gets the moment even as we're living it& A fast-paced, engaging novel of pop-culture and big ideas, authentically subversive, and thoroughly American."- The Daily Beast, "[A] smart, edgy, suspenseful first novelhellip; Goodwillie evokes life underground like a master--the tradecraft, the fraught group dynamics, the combination of discipline and paranoia, the longing for normality."-Kirkus, "A rare novel that gets the moment even as we're living it... A fast-paced, engaging novel of pop-culture and big ideas, authentically subversive, and thoroughly American."-- The Daily Beast, "American Subversiveis a searing portrait of failed idealism and social unrest. Brilliantly plotted and compulsively readable, Goodwillie's debut novel asks us to re-examine the nature of political action and private life. Unforgettable."-- Danielle Trussoni, author ofAngelology, "[A] smart, edgy, suspenseful first novel... Goodwillie evokes life underground like a master--the tradecraft, the fraught group dynamics, the combination of discipline and paranoia, the longing for normality."-- Kirkus, "A rare novel that gets the moment even as we're living it… A fast-paced, engaging novel of pop-culture and big ideas, authentically subversive, and thoroughly American."- The Daily Beast, "A rare novel that gets the moment even as we're living it… A fast-paced, engaging novel of pop-culture and big ideas, authentically subversive, and thoroughly American."-The Daily Beast, "[A] smart, edgy, suspenseful first novel... Goodwillie evokes life underground like a master--the tradecraft, the fraught group dynamics, the combination of discipline and paranoia, the longing for normality."- Kirkus
