exit party

this is the first book by ESJM that i’ve read. i get the hype, i think it would be a mistake to read a whole lot into this book and it certainly doesn’t provide any keen insights as to why the US falls apart in her novel. but she writes compelling disaster porn and there are no loose ends in here when it comes to wrapping up the core elements of the plot from all the different angles. i really appreciate this attention to detail and dedication to the cause. it’s no secret that this is a multiverse book with an east german like version of the US in one thread, and a disintegrated version of the US in the other. these are clever tools to move the plot along and there’s some nods to corruption and chaos, but these provide a framework to hang the plot on as opposed to providing any particular commentary on the whats, hows, and definitely not the whys. still a compelling read and i cranked through while traveling on vacation.

recommendation: yeah give it a go.

(from 2026 books)

highlights

Part 1: A-Side

Part 2: B-Side