The Resisters

by Gish Jen
The Resisters cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
Technical:
  • ID: 1927
  • Added: 2025-10-11
  • Updated: 2025-10-11
  • ISBN: 9781984898227
  • Publisher: Vintage
  • Published: 2020-02-04
  • Reviews: 3

The Resisters is a poignant tale set in AutoAmerica, a country under the watchful eye of 'Aunt Nettie,' an AI that blends surveillance with a touch of humor. The society is starkly divided between the privileged 'angelfair' Netted and the marginalized Surplus, who struggle to survive in a world ravaged by climate change. The story follows a Surplus family, once educated and now displaced, as they navigate this oppressive regime. Their daughter, Gwen, discovers she has a golden arm and becomes a star player in an underground baseball league. When she is recruited to play in the Olympics against ChinRussia, she finds herself at the center of a dangerous political storm, while her mother fights against the apartheid-like system in court.

Reviews
Nicholas Andriani · 2023-08-24
compelling 4.50

The book shines with optimism and fear, offering a unique blend of emotions. The narrative is praised for its worldbuilding and neologisms, making it a standout in the genre.

The reviewer notes that 'The Resisters' shines with a blend of optimism and fear, creating a unique emotional landscape. They praise the book's worldbuilding and use of neologisms, which add depth and originality to the narrative. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to explore complex themes with a fresh perspective, making it a standout in the dystopian genre. Overall, the book is seen as a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of contemporary issues, with a unique blend of emotions that keeps the reader engaged.

Quick quotes

    And while most err on the side of somber apathy, Jen Gish's 2021 The Resisters, shines with optimism and fear, like some newborn placed into the ...

    The narrative is praised for its worldbuilding and neologisms, making it a standout in the genre.

    The book shines with a blend of optimism and fear, creating a unique emotional landscape.

NPR · 2020-02-28
compelling 3.50

The book is primarily plot-driven and its appeal rests on its ingenuity, which is unflagging. The narrative is engaging and keeps the reader's attention throughout.

The reviewer highlights that 'The Resisters' is a plot-driven novel, with its appeal resting on its ingenuity. They note that the narrative is unflagging, keeping the reader's attention throughout. The book is seen as a compelling exploration of dystopian themes, with a focus on the perils of our wired world. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to drive home the dangers of technology and surveillance, making it a relevant and engaging read. Overall, the book is praised for its engaging narrative and thought-provoking themes.

Quick quotes

    The Resisters, like a lot of dystopian fiction, is primarily plot-driven and its appeal rests on its ingenuity, which is unflagging.

    The narrative is engaging and keeps the reader's attention throughout.

    The book is a compelling exploration of dystopian themes, with a focus on the perils of our wired world.

The New York Times · 2020-02-11
thought-provoking 4.00

The book is unsettlingly relevant to the current political moment, offering a unique blend of dystopian elements and unsettling pleasure. The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking, making it a standout in the genre.

The reviewer finds 'The Resisters' to be deeply connected to the current political climate, which adds a layer of relevance and urgency to the story. They appreciate the unsettling yet engaging nature of the book, noting that it grows directly out of the soil of our current political moment. The narrative is praised for its ability to blend dystopian elements with a sense of immediacy, making it a compelling read. The reviewer also highlights the book's unsettling pleasure, which keeps the reader engaged throughout. Overall, the book is seen as a thought-provoking exploration of contemporary issues, making it a standout in the dystopian genre.

Quick quotes

    The Resisters is a book that grows directly out of the soil of our current political moment, and much of the book's unsettling pleasure lies ...

    The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking, making it a standout in the genre.

    The book is unsettlingly relevant to the current political moment, offering a unique blend of dystopian elements and unsettling pleasure.

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