California (Lepucki)

Book Reviews
[A] propulsive, subtly sinister, post-apocalyptic tale by debut novelist Edan Lepucki.... A careful narrator, Lepucki does a wonderful job maintaining a feeling of suspense throughout her book without ever drawing a full picture of what Cal and Frida are looking at.... [Cal] is kind of a lunkhead: He is that action-movie character whose dumb choices can only be explained as a way to further the plot. The conversations he takes part in are some of the least rewarding parts of this story, clunky and melodramatic.... But those are minor quibbles with a book that, once begun, there's little reason to put down.
Sam Worley - Chicago Tribune


[A] suspenseful debut.... Lepucki focuses on Cal and Frida’s evolving relationship and their divergent approaches to their predicament. As seen in chapters told from their alternating perspectives, the less they trust each other, the more tension mounts, building to an explosive climax that few readers will see coming.
Publishers Weekly


While this debut novel has some potential as a disturbing postapocalyptic thriller, it stumbles in its execution. The characters don't evoke a lot of sympathy and the ambiguous ending leaves readers hanging. [Stephen Colbert promoted the book as a response to the Amazon-Hachette dispute.—Ed.] —Karin Thogersen, Huntley Area P.L., IL
Library Journal


Lepucki’s characters...must weigh every word, expression, and gesture. This results in too much disquisition through conversations, and the plot falters, but the settings are haunting and Lepucki’s inquiry into the psychology of trust, both intimate and communal, is keen and compelling. —Donna Seaman
Booklist


[Lepucki] isn’t above bending the rules, which makes it more difficult to feel real concern for Cal and Frida. They will never be in too much trouble; Lepucki won’t allow it. The chapters...are heavy on flashbacks that bog down an otherwise tense narrative of survival. This has the bones of an excellent book, but, sadly, an untenable amount of flab is covering them.
Kirkus Reviews