Exit Velocity: A Novel

by Barbara Gregorich

Rowan Pickett is desperate to put her life back together — which is why she goes looking for Titus Longshaw, leader of a group which seeks to unite Black, White, and Latino workers. Titus can help her get a job.

Rowan's search for work keeps getting interrupted by Jake Terranova, an arrogant podcaster from Boston who insists on interviewing her about . . . a parrot. A parrot he suspects is from another planet. And by pro-fascist Zeb Snoddy, whom she has feared since she was a teen.

She gets the job she so desperately needs, and this helps her regain the confidence and courage to demand social justice — at rallies and in her workplace. She once again becomes active in organizations to end violence against women.

The job, though, is not easy, and comes with relentless problems. Fast-paced working conditions and a foreman who has it in for her are just the start. But Rowan can handle tough situations.

Until, one dark night, as she and her best friend Keisha are walking home, Zeb Snoddy is waiting for them.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2024

About the author

Barbara Gregorich, who writes fiction and nonfiction for adults and for children, has in her writing career deliberately moved from one genre to another, writing about the things important in life — baseball, mystery, and social justice. Her seminal Women at Play: The Story of Women in Baseball won the SABR-MacMillan Award and laid the groundwork for other books on the subject. ​​​​​​​For her research and writings on women in baseball, Barbara Gregorich received the 2024 SABR Dorothy Seymour Mills Lifetime Achievement Award.

A frequent presenter at Illinois libraries, Gregorich was appointed a 2013 Roads Scholar by the Illinois Arts Council. In 2021 City of Light published The F Words, whose story of ICE persecution of immigrants focuses on the resilience of working class teens. Exit Velocity features a young working class woman who encounters discrimination in the workplace and assault on the streets. As she fights for her rights, she is aided by a parrot from another planet.


For more information about Barbara and her books, visit her blog, Much to Write About, available on GoodReads.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rowan is a working class young woman with needs. A job. Her mother. To reconnect with friends. To avoid a neofascist stalker. To grieve her sister, dead by gun violence. She has been a fierce advocate for social justice and is ready to get back into the fight. Along the way, she gets help from old friends and comrades; a good-looking, open-minded podcaster; and a brilliant parrot from another planet, come to do his part to save the universe. A thought-provoking and engaging read!

[Karen Stillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exit Velocity is great on so many levels. I couldn't put it down. The characters are deep and endearing, the story is fast paced and compelling and every thread is masterfully woven together, start to end. It was highly recommended to me. I really loved reading Exit Velocity.

[Wisconsin Alumni]

Barbara Gregorich MA’65
Author

From the author:
Rowan Pickett’s world has gone to hell, her sister murdered in a high school shooting, her mother leaving, and Rowan sitting home and mourning. But then reality kicks in: Rowan realizes that she wants to survive, and in order to survive she needs a job. This leads her to Titus Longshaw, Black leader of the socialist organization Working Class Control. Titus points Rowan to a job at Package Nova, a global shipping firm on Chicago’s south side.

From there things move at the pace of a million packages whizzing by on conveyer belts. The foreman has it in for Rowan because she speaks out against sexism. Worse yet, Zeb Snoddy, proclaimed white-supremacist, also has it in for Rowan because of her politics. One dark night Snoddy confronts Rowan and her best friend, Keisha Longshaw.

Jake Terranova, a podcaster from Boston, starts out thinking that Rowan has a parrot she has trained to assault (and maybe assassinate?) Zeb Snoddy. And then he suspects the unthinkable — that the parrot Deeply is from another planet.

[Linda Loew · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do a young revolutionary activist recovering from a deep personal loss and rededicating herself to the struggle, a well meaning podcaster/videographer, a gun-toting right-wing zealot, and a colorful, brainy parrot all have in common? Well, they occupy the pages of this novel which at times left me breathless, often provoked, and sometimes saying “Seriously?” Alternating between belief and disbelief, these characters and a cast of dynamic supporting characters frequently face off in showdowns for who will be the greatest catalyst for fundamental change.

The extraordinary parrot loves old movies, popcorn, and munching on donuts. But he loves nothing more than the prople we also care about, although it may only be passing through for a short but pivotal time in their lives. Why is that? You won't learn that from me.

Their story unfolds against a backdrop of Chicago neighborhoods and landmarks. It is told in alternating voices of our protagonists, as we learn their deepest fears and yearnings. From a grueling workplace to a perch along a rooftop, the aromas of eateries and delights of the local zoo, the paths of a speeding bicycle or the views of an elevated train, we are transported through the narrative. We might find ourselves chanting in the center of a massive labor picket line or at a downtown rally surrounded by police in riot gear. Then suddenly we're carried aloft to where no earthly creature might go.

I really enjoyed the ride! As a long time political activist, and feminist, having worked many years in non-traditional jobs, I found myself identifying with and cheering the characters on, but sometimes having questions too! Is that OK? Yes! I remembered that at the heart of political engagement is debate, conflict, growth and learning, testing the limits of our comfort zones. This book reflects all that and more.

If you support the struggles against racism and sexism, and are for dignity on the job, a fair wage and working conditions, and the rights of workers to cross borders in search of a better life, there should be something for you in this book.

Some scenarios might seem far-fetched- a parrot, even a smart one, scoping out and retrieving surveillance "bugs" buried in the walls of a political organizing space! While I admittedly cheered, I also
cried out- Seriously? But then, taking on the vicious, brutal system in which we live seems far fetched to many too, so I suspended disbelief and embraced these characters once again.

Laughing a lot, and shedding a few tears, i had a range of reactions while reading this book. I cared about the characters and the choices they made. At times, I was on the edge of my seat. As the central threads of the plot wound down, I realized I'm going to miss these characters when I finish the book. I became invested in the outcome, and didn't want to leave the world it created. But alas, we are forced to make our exit, as it were. I want a sequel, or will have to imagine their futures. Read it and enjoy it yourself.

[Shipra Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored the book. It’s a truly captivating tale of loss, hope, and determination. When you are reading the book you know the character , these are real people. The story is relatable in every aspect except of course for the alien parrot part. The inclusion of the parrot was a brilliant touch, seamlessly weaving into the narrative. From Rowan to Jake to Titus, each character adds depth and charm to the story. By the halfway point, I found it incredibly difficult to put the book down, eager to find what happens next. Of all the character my personal favorite was Jake, witnessing his transformation from an outsider to an integral part of the group.

While the story is exceptional and I couldn't wait to finish it, its thought-provoking nature truly sets this book apart for me. We are taught about equality and hard work, but does that truly reflect reality for most people? This book made me question the societal norms we are raised with, as the author aptly points out the bubble in which the middle class resides. I might not agree with everything the book says, but it made me question my values and beliefs. Overall, it has a compelling story and a powerful message.

I hope the story of Deeply & his mission continues …

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Barbara Gregorich's novel "Exit Velocity" crosses genres and expectations. A utopian noir laced with labor propaganda and elements of thriller and sci-fi alike, this multi-first-person narrative describes a young woman's realization of self-dependence—while also relying on her friends and neighbors. The book paints a vivid picture of the contemporary Chicago environs in which it takes place, with events seemingly ripped and extrapolated from recent headlines. It is not a complex story, nor are the archetypal characters particularly deep, yet the plot is compelling enough to carry this reader toward the exciting, if inevitable, conclusion. The space-faring, telepathic parrot DeePlea ("Deeply") offers an unexpected omniscient presence, which I sincerely hope Gregorich continues to develop in future novels.

[Sam Veltre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book! It's well-written, fast-paced, and full of unforgettable characters. Rowan, the strong protagonist, is navigating trauma and a tough job market while fighting for her beliefs. Deeply, the hilarious parrot from another planet, is impossible to forget.

This story has everything: social justice, danger, humor, and a heartwarming found family. It follows Rowan as she reconnects with her leftist community and takes a stand against a neo-Fascist threat. With the help of her friends, a supportive podcaster, and Deeply, she overcomes challenges and finds her voice.

This is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will stay with you long after you finish the last page. It's a perfect pick for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories with a touch of the extraordinary.

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is well written, quickly paced, and has memorable, well developed characters, including Deeply, a parrot from another planet whom I will never forget. The central character, Rowan, is a young working class woman who is suffering from the trauma of her sister being murdered in a mass shooting and her mother leaving home. She needs to find a job. She reconnects with a left-wing black, working class organization, and that reconnection helps her get her life back on track. In the meantime she faces danger from a neo-Fascist thug and harassment from her boss. With the help of friends, the parrot, and a podcaster who wants the parrot’s story, she makes it through.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I met the author and appreciated her reading of the first chapter very much! The plot is interesting enough but the writing really needs a bit of editing. It feels like the book is constantly just turning and stating its exact politics right to the camera, without it coming up naturally as part of the story.

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

To Come

[Carrie Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Gregorich’s latest novel has it all, including a chatty, thoughtful, hilarious parrot named Deeply. The story is told through the eyes of a young woman who is trying to make a go of life working in the gig economy, loading and unloading delivery trucks for a huge warehouse and the young journalist who accidentally meets her while hot on the trail of Deeply the unusual parrot. The plot has lots of twists and turns and keeps you on the edge of your seat. In addition to being a fun read, it serves to introduce young readers to the power of coming together to do good in this world.

[Carol Saller · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the opening scenes, you know this isn't like anything you've read before, a blend of passionate politics and utopian sci-fi, with the funny, heart-tugging character of Deeply at its center and a little romance thrown into the mix.