Kill the Rich

by Jack Allison

In this political satire-thriller, we follow a government official, an exiled influencer, and a burned-out delivery driver, living through a culture obsessed presidency that signs the policy to Kill the Rich.

The year is 2038, America’s new President won with a simple, snappy campaign Kill The Rich. Now in office, his administration kicks off with a televised public hanging of Kim Kardashian, whose lip kits have poisoned a working-class city.

The execution sets three very different people on a collision course that will change the nation forever. Jay, a senior adviser and best friend to the President, is hyper-focused on finding the next billionaire head to roll. Chloe, an influencer living in Russian exile, is willing to do anything to get her life of luxury back. Sasha, a burned-out pizza delivery driver, is desperate to find her missing brother.



Their stories converge in a cryptocurrency-fueled secessionist city in the Nevada desert where they must come together to thwart an insurrection by the internet-poisoned, meme-obsessed, richest man in the world.

In this audiobook edition, enjoy as both authors, Jack Allison and Kate Shapiro, narrate the satirical hit, Kill the Rich.

Genres: Fiction

Audible Audio

Published April 16, 2024

Reviews

[Molly Siskin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting this to be campy and light so I won't criticize the prose or the logical inconsistencies too much (although wild to assume all the modern celebrities today will still be the most and only notable celebrities 15 years in the future). But I also expected anti-capitalist messaging, maybe in a satisfying revenge fantasy way. I was so so wrong.

The primary antagonist in this book is an analogue to Elon Musk in every way but the changed name (all other public figures mentioned retained that real names and very few originally, fictional super-rich folks are invented). He is portrayed as awkward and unsexy as well as engaging in extremely unethical activities. He is also constantly praised for being super smart and in control and a genius innovator and it was so tiresome.

As much as I dislike the actions of real world Elon Musk, I would not have felt comfortable reading a murder fantasy about any non-fictional person, but hearing him constantly praised was equally weird.

Compounded by including mostly only wealthy and/or influential characters as the entire cast, this whole book felt so weird, and the final note the epilogue ended on could be read as extremely cynical or just never anti-capitalist in the first place.
I don't believe it gave was the title implies.

On a final note, I can't believe this book was co-written by a woman based on everything about every woman character. The degree of detail captured about the behaviors of middle aged male nerds in the tech space was spot on, but when writing about a female influencer it confidently stated that she got 100% camera ready in under and hour INCLUDING A SHOWER, which is when I lost all hope.

This book was bad. The best thing I can say about it is it's easy to read fast. I will be freeing it from my shelf and see if someone else will enjoy it any more than I did.

[Hayley Lampert · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️. This was definitely interesting but honestly such a fun idea. This was a super quick fun but kind of screwed up book. Scarily accurate. Enjoyed myself

[aneesa · Rating 2 out of 5]

honestly, cool cover and good beginning, the middle of the book was so slow and boring, and the end was pretty predictable

[Dustin Liu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Became more relevant in the months since its release. Probably fated to become even more and more relevant as the years go on, as satire becomes reality. Good sign for the longevity of the book, but bad sign for the world!

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Were there good ol’ days when satire seemed a little more removed from real life? Kill the Rich is farcical and absurd; a fast paced reading romp through a funhouse mirror universe reflecting the worst of solipsistic politics and social media influence back at us from just a little over a decade in the future that’s way too maniacal to happen here right? RIGHT?!
Anyway, there’s something kinda cathartic in the concept of a president running and winning on a ‘Kill the Rich’ platform in a world where the rich get to fuck things up carte blanche in the name of capital, and the absolute glee authors Allison and Shapiro take in lambasting Elon Musk is worth the cost of admission all by itself. Escapism with both middle fingers up.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

a brilliant and funny dystopian thriller. a chilling vision of what the future holds if we leave power in the hands of the richest (and dumbest) people on earth. with a cast of characters that range from tolerable to downright detestable, kill the rich is a poetic, absurd whirlwind that makes for a perfect excuse to log off social media for a few hours (maybe even forever). a stunning debut; Allison and Shapiro knocked it out of the park.

[Van Robichaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read a pre-release manuscript of this last year. Not only is the book a funny, cutting satire, it was and remains an incredibly prescient look at our near future. Months after I read the book when major left-wing political donor Sam Bankman-Fried was revealed to be a drug addicted, pyramid scheme running con artist with a secret plan to move to his own island after the world was destroyed I thought, man--that would have been right at home in the world of Kill The Rich.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. It's highly relevant, and even some of the more fantastical plot points don't seem too far-fetched, given today's society. It lacks real teeth in terms of the scathing criticism of our world that I think would make it more poignant, and you never get in-depth enough with any of the characters to truly care for them. Still, it was creative and absolutely could be a fun movie. A quick read that, for me, was a nice palate cleanser midst other books.

[D V · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't believe this has such a high rating. Clickbait title and cover with terribly written, predictable and frankly boring pages. What was funny about it? Or clever? Or remotely thought provoking? It read like a lazy rewrite of a first draft from someone who has received too much undue praise in their life.

[Delaina Vanderzell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very relevant read that I fear will only continue to become more relevant as time goes on. It was nice and short but definitely made you think about the implications that can come from living in such a consumerist society that relies on the wealthy.

[Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pre-ordered and can’t wait to read it!

[Kaylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun!

[Ryan Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious. Too true sometimes.

[Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, cutting satire. Would make a great film!

[Jordan Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny funny funny and dark dark dark (as the cover suggests).

[Bob Strad · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny/true critiques about tech culture and bureaucracy. was fun enough

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay but I would have liked it better if Sasha was the sole protagonist. I liked her. Jay was meh and I hated Chloe.

[Priscilla G · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a wild ride.

[Spencer Hanneke · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Greggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

an accurate look at what the rich are truly like. god gave kate and jack a look at the future and they shared it with all of us

[Aristeo Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty funny, if you like modern sci-fi I think you'll dig it.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Designed for the extremely online, and I mean that as the highest compliment possible.

[Meagan H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feels a little scary to read when the government is on fire, maybe if things calm down pick this up.

[Kellea Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sincerely one of the best books I’ve ever read in my entire adult life. 2038? Seems a lot closer now. Everyone should give this a read.

[Emma Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

These authors really pulled this off.

[Angel Shadd · Rating 2 out of 5]

As an existing “eat the rich” leftist, this book was definitely up my alley. The premise seemed fun and like a searing criticism of American life.

To be fair, this book lived up to its premise. My problem is that its Elon Musk insert was insanely insufferable I couldn’t wait for him to kick the bucket. I should be demanding reparations for the amount of time I spent reading his sh*t for brains dialogue. Alison and Shapiro f*cking NAIL his characterization, but yikes it’s hard to read even as fiction.

The narrative could have been a bit tighter as well. I honestly think it could have been written script style, à la fleabag, as it seems more appropriate for a screenplay. For satire, it’s also a bit heavy-handed. But, Americans aren’t really known for subtlety.

I can’t tell what the logic was behind letting some characters retain their real names (the book opens with the public e*ecution of Kim Kardashian) and who gets a pseudonym. Maybe Elongated Muskrat seems too litigious?

Weirdo book for weirdo people. Enjoyed it. Would have a hard time recommending this to others though.

[Adam D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why are you reading this review? You should be reading the fantastic book it references (“Kill The Rich” by Allison, Shapiro; CLASH Books) instead of wasting time on the review! You will laugh and feel comfort that you are not alone in finding our crumbling country comically absurd!

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The hardest I’ve laughed reading a book!