Consequence

by Steve Masover

San Francisco activist Christopher Kalman has little to show for years spent organizing non-violent marches, speak-outs, blockades, and shutdowns for social and environmental justice. When a shadowy eco-saboteur proposes an attack on genetically engineered agriculture, Christopher is ripe to be drawn into a more dangerous game. His certainty that humankind stands on the brink of ecological ruin drives Christopher to reckless acts and rash alliances, pitting grave personal risk against conscientious passion.

— Winner * Best General Fiction * 2017 Green Book Festival —

A thirty-something, underemployed layout artist, Christopher lives in a ramshackle activist collective–the Triangle–named for its Duboce Triangle neighborhood in the heart of San Francisco. Christopher and his chosen family are determined to carry on the good fight; yet the raging war in Iraq, begun in the face of peaceful protests by millions across the globe, has shaken the Triangle’s faith in the value of nonviolent dissent.

Chagall, an eco-saboteur practiced in the art of demolition, partners with an anonymous hacker who proposes an online media blitz he can detonate “at thermonuclear scale” to augment Chagall’s brick-and-mortar spectacle. Chagall invites Christopher into their developing plot to deal genetically-engineered Frankenfood a serious blow. Assured that no one will be hurt, and lured by the promise of a vast audience, Christopher contemplates writing the mother of all political manifestos.

Allison Rayle leads the Triangle’s preparations to blockade the Bay Bridge on the opening day of an international biotech meeting, to protest the environmental risks of releasing genetically modified organisms into the wild. Their aim: to hang a massive banner from the bridge’s westernmost tower at the peak of rush hour.

When the Triangle collides with Chagall’s plot to destroy a midwestern research lab, the fallout threatens everything and everyone Christopher has ever loved.

344 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2015

About the author

Steve Masover is an author, activist, and information technologist. A native of Chicago, he currently lives and works in Berkeley, California. His debut novel Consequence was published in September 2015.

Masover’s short fiction has appeared in Stoneboat Literary Journal, Five Fingers Review, and Christopher Street. An essay-length memoir piece is anthologized in Our Mothers' Spirits: Great Writers on the Death of Mothers and the Grief of Men. Masover co-authored the screenplay of the anti-apartheid movement documentary Soweto to Berkeley (Cinema Guild, 1988; excerpt on YouTube). He blogs at One Finger Typing.

Reviews

[Bill Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Consequence” focuses on a small group of political activists living in San Francisco in the years following September 11. The novel follows several tracks of their connected lives. One important thread concerns their preparations for a specific act of civil disobedience while another explores one member’s tentative venture into a more aggressive form of activism. As we follow these interwoven stories, the novel quickly develops into a riveting drama which feels deeply personal and urgently important.

Steve Masover creates believable characters and situations through precise yet subtle prose. He grounds the book in the physical details of even the most mundane moments. With the buzz of nighttime insects or the click of an entry gate, he creates an atmosphere both rich and real. Similarly, without painting heavy-handed portraits, the author allows fully human characters to arise out of the authenticity of their dialogue and the spare descriptions of their physical actions. Once immersed in this world, the reader begins to feel the inescapable connections between individual lives and their communities and even to their larger planetary existence.

Although this book centers around activism against genetic engineering, it could just as easily have taken up some other equally important and complex issue. The author intends not to convince us of a specific agenda, but rather to allow us to see our own roles in the development of, and more to the point, in the destruction of our world.

A friend of mine and I agreed to read this book in exchange for offering honest reviews. The two of us were both quickly drawn into the tension of the book. We often felt the need to talk to each other about events as they unfolded. In the end we had long discussions about the motivations of specific characters and about some of the decisions they made.

In reading “Consequence” I came to know and care about characters who actively engage in their world. The riveting tension of this story arises from the many moments when these vital figures must weigh their values against their fears in deciding between the risk of action or the comfort of inaction. Steve Masover presents a realistically complex picture of the challenges inherent in such decisions. In reading this book I came to recognize that we all constantly choose to either engage more actively in our world, or not. And that in either case, there are consequences.

[Rebecca Hemphill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rarely read novels, preferring non-fiction. But when I do read a novel, I do so because I want to experience a way of living and thinking that is far from my own. Consequence, by Steve Masover, more than met my hopes. It grabbed me and immersed me in the lives and thinking of activists who are committed to doing something "in the time left to pull the earth out of its nose dive," and for whom in the face of the wave of seemingly unfixable insurmountable crises, when "hope dwindles," "paralysis is the coward's response."

I watched the images of activists dangling from a bridge, recently, and my measured "liberal" response is to wonder why they would do such a thing, even as I admire and acknowledge how they grabbed my attention ever so briefly and made me think about uncomfortable realities. Consequence introduced me and drew me into this other way of thinking, feeling, being, and living.

The novel's characters are so much more than the way the cynical press likes to present "radical" activists: as humorless, full of Bolshevik-style judgment and self-abnegation. Instead, I found living, loving, humorous, thoughtful, frightened, and determined people I care about still -- weeks after finishing the book. The story is a page turner that had my heart pounding with apprehension more than once. And as cliché as it is to say so, I laughed and cried.

One of the book's rich offerings is its description of both in-person collective organizing and actions, juxtaposed against the shadowy pseudonymed realm of internet's channels for actions, and the value and moral dilemmas in both.

This novel is so very timely in its themes. Every time I look at the news there is something that reminds me of Consequence. I can't let go of the questions the book's characters wrestle with, and surprise myself considering more often than I did before reading it, Tolstoy's famous question, "What then must we do?"

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consequence takes place in a time that readers will acutely remember – post 9/11 and the early months of the Iraq war. The characters in Consequence are activists fresh off their defeat in protesting/preventing the Iraq war, and are now pouring their energy into the issue of GMOs. The fictional story is so seamlessly integrated into real world events (like Abu Ghraib) that you forget that you are reading fiction.

One thing to be said about the novel is that Masover’s lyrical language brings the imagery to life. The story takes its time at first, really grounding the reader in this unique time in our history, and also this unique (for most Americans) place – which is San Francisco’s activist community. When the plot really gets rolling, the book is hard to put down. It is a real window-in for how passionate people can be, how protests get planned and executed, and how tempting it might be – in the face of political defeats – to attempt something riskier in order to advance the cause. The book will stay with you in the days and weeks after, as there is much room for real discourse: where is the line between activism and terrorism? What are an activist’s moral obligations? What are our obligations as individuals in a society that consumes without a second thought and without regard for the impact that it has on the environment? “History will be determined by those who act” the character, Christopher, says. From Abu Ghraib to GMOs, there is ample room for discussion and debate regarding our societal responsibilities, and Consequence is a great jumping off point.

The book’s timely release coincides with the public’s growing interest and concern with genetically modified food. But even for those who aren’t politically active, Consequence will leave you at the edge of your seat.

(I received a free, advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.)

[Bridget Almas · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Consequence' combines fast-paced suspense with beautiful writing and deeply developed, highly believable characters. While it was the suspense that kept me from putting it down once started, several times during the reading I found myself pausing to consider the beauty of a particular turn of phrase. By the end, I felt that I really *knew* the characters populating the story, and, thanks to the wonderfully descriptive language, had also physically inhabited the spaces of their lives. The story exposes the complexity of human relationships beautifully, as well as our individual fallibility, even under the best of intentions. I particularly enjoyed the depth of the family dynamics (of both the natural and the chosen family) and how these influenced the characters' choices. The epilogue cleverly tied up the few niggling discrepancies in the main story line that bothered me as I was reading, and left me both completely satisfied with the ending, and a bit in awe of the skill it took to write it.

Reviewer's note: I received an advance copy of 'Consequence' in exchange for my honest review.

[Stephanie Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

From broaching the politics surrounding American involvement in the Middle East, to the workings of the internet underground, to agricultural genetic engineering and the daily life of an activist community—Steve Masover has presented us with a truly intriguing story about hidden worlds we know exist but often know little about.

In our digital society, information is available at the stroke of key, and we have been exposed to the undeniable realities of cyber terrorism, the Snowden revelations, and unchecked government and corporate corruption, along with the ongoing violence overseas—and yet an explanation or an understanding still eludes many of us, even those of us who were there.

As a historian, I believe that these things are often best understood via retrospect, and even better, through a good story. That’s why I am so excited about this novel.

Through intelligent and intriguing prose, Masover reveals the dawning of our modern political and digital landscape through the early years of the new millennium in San Francisco and through compelling characters who are willing to put up a fight despite the consequences.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Within the first couple of chapters in this book, I knew that I was going to struggle through it. I think the book is well written and executed nicely. But I do have to say that some of the language in this book made me feel rather dumb. With that being said, there were moments that I would be reading and my eyes would just gloss over and I would need to re-read or give up for the night.

Though I cannot say that this book is really for me, I am glad to have received it and to have read it. I'm giving the book 4 out of 5 stars for a number of reasons. I enjoyed the personal relationships throughout the story and the way some things were handled. I was surprised near the end and felt that it added well to the storyline.

Good Job!

[Barbara Rhine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Masover’s Consequence will have instant appeal to readers who enjoy fiction that addresses the political issues of the day.

Social justice and environmental activists who devote a good portion of their lives to change the world will particularly value this story. Plus, those activists who have ever lived in a collective fashion, for political or counter-culture reasons, or both, will be even more interested. When was the last time you read a novel set in a political communal household? (T.C. Boyle’s Drop City comes to mind, but it was not about politics. Doris Lessing’s The Good Terrorist, but it was so negative.)

And then there are leftie computer aficionados who will be fascinated by the arcane details of encryption and messages that can be made to disappear instantly, without a trace. They will have a field day with this book. I am not among the chosen few, yet I appreciated Masover’s confident command of that subject matter. Indeed, this fascinating well-paced tale depicts the use of computers to keep secrets as an integral part of any modern-day political activism, let alone that with a clandestine component.

The main characters in Consequence live together in a San Francisco collective household, and are united in the view that GMO’s are a threat to civilization as we know it. While I could have used some dialogue that exposed both sides of the debate on this issue, the actions being planned intrigued me enough to accept the premise.

Overtly, the household is organizing a spectacular protest, which, if successful, will shut down the Bay Bridge during the morning commute. Covertly, a central character is also participating in a shadowy affair, the outlines of which are difficult to discern through much of the book. From the beginning, though, the reader can surmise that it involves destruction of property on a large scale, at the very least. Much of the story focuses on the details necessary to pull both these huge events off.

Throughout, Masover weaves in intriguing tales of the personal lives of those involved. His main narrator is likeable and confused and knows he’s confused, caught in a birth family situation he cannot shake and he cannot tolerate. In addition, one communard has just returned from a long stint in a Mexican jail for having tried to aid the Zapatistas; two of the male housemates may be in love with the same woman, also a householder; and a third man, gay and sweet-natured, is deeply involved in the raising of that woman’s child, now an an adolescent who needs close watching along with his friend who is already far down a problematic path. A mystery woman hovers around the edges.

Masover paints all these people with so much life that this reader felt not only sympathy, and not just familiarity, but as if she could actually be one or more of them, as they act to forestall an aspect of the environmental crisis that—given climate change—we all know is the most formidable challenge of our time.

Here, though, I do have a quibble. Yes, the personal is political, and the inverse is true as well. But the personal lies at the core of fiction for me. Thus I wanted even more of what Masover does so well—the messy details of all these internal lives—familial, sexual, romantic, fearful—as they interact in fascinating patterns. Yet because I so appreciate Masover’s focus on issues that matter, his astringent portrayal of modern life with a sting, a jolt, an injection of terror, a dose of hope—and indeed, with consequences—compensated for my yearning for more.

Finally, of course, there is the ending. I have issues with this ending, but it would not be fair to reveal them here. Masover wrote this book for you to read, and once you start, you will want to peruse it to the final page. And if at the conclusion of the tale, you have your own questions—well, all the better. Because by the time you finish Masover’s Consequence, you will have engaged deeply with a contemporary work of fiction that focuses on the struggle to improve our world, a context often wrongly dismissed as didactic social realism, and therefore all too rarely depicted in our literary time.

So, read Consequence, all you political lovers of fiction. You will be glad that you did.

[Mal Warwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where is the line between peaceful and legitimate protest and terrorism? Though the answer to that question might seem obvious, it’s not — and Berkeley-based author Steve Masover’s debut novel, Consequence, explores that territory with skill and sophistication.

Consequence tells a tale dominated by three characters: Christopher, a brilliant writer and researcher who lives in a small San Francisco collective dedicated to peaceful action against genetic modification; “Romulus,” a computer hacker who is prepared to participate in a violent protest against GMOs; and “Chagall,” who clearly believes that nothing short of violence can turn the tide on this issue that all of them believe threatens the survival of the human race. The three have connected anonymously online to collaborate on a high-profile protest that they hope will break through the public’s apathy about GMOs. Apparently all men, the three are unaware of each other’s identities, and they go to great lengths to keep things that way. The codenames are Christopher’s shorthand for identifying his co-conspirators.

Masover sets his tale in late 2003 and early 2004, during the period when the American public is coming to recognize the disastrous consequences of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The photos of American’s brutal mistreatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib come to light in the course of this story. Against this backdrop, which illustrates the vast scope of officially condoned violence, Masover dramatizes the contrast between the three conspirators’ violent protest and the nonviolence of the Triangle, the collective of which Christopher is a member.

While Christopher, Romulus, and Chagall are exchanging secure communications online to plan their action, the members of the Triangle are making extensive preparations for a dramatic action of their own. During an upcoming conference at the Moscone Center in San Francisco for molecular biologists engaged in genetic research, the Triangle is getting set to stop traffic on the San Francisco Bay Bridge to hang an enormous banner high on its superstructure. Alternating chapters describe the two plans as they develop.

Consequence is a talky novel, with characters exchanging highly intellectual and well-edited remarks about the issues at the heart of the story. The author is also extremely well-informed, not just about the topic of GMOs and the technical aspects of cybersecurity but also about the mechanics of terrorism. It’s all a little frightening, really. If you’re inclined to discount the threat of GMOs, you probably shouldn’t read this book.

Steve Masover is a life-long activist. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and an employee of the University since 2007 in its information technology division, Masover has published short fiction and collaborated on a screenplay for a documentary about the anti-apartheid movement. This is his first novel.

[Andrew Dombrowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consequence is a gripping and timely novel treating themes of activism, resistance, and sacrifice, grappling with the dilemma of whether our beliefs force us into action, and if so, how, to what effect, and at what cost. One of the most remarkable aspects of this novel is that it blends tight, suspenseful plotting and an air of moral urgency with thoughtful characterization, a leisurely and intimate sense of place, and an interrogation of the ambiguities and tensions that activism implies. This is not a novel about a plucky group of activists who Make A Difference and Change The World, nor is it a novel about naïve anti-GMO activists who fail to recognize their own limitations—instead, it does the much more impressive work of complicating any simple point of view on these issues.

The radical activists portrayed in Consequence are depicted as relatable, complex, and deeply human, and they are shown to wrestle with their beliefs and their decisions in profoundly honest and real ways. There are no straw men or caricatures in this book, either among the activists who are the protagonists or among other characters who disagree with the activists’ point of view. In a period of increasing and omnipresent political polarization, Masover’s ability to engage with multiple points of view without resorting to shallow stereotyping or sloganeering is both commendable and viscerally refreshing.

Another remarkable aspect of this novel is its deeply intimate sense of place. On one hand, as a Bay Area resident, it was simply enjoyable to visualize the various places where scenes in the novel took place – but on the other hand, something deeper is going on in this regard. The activist communities portrayed in this novel could not exist just anywhere, but are the specific product of a unique city with a unique history. The novel juxtaposes a vividly portrayed rootedness in the Bay Area with a plot that pivots around themes of online anonymity and globalization, subtly underscoring another set of tensions that pervade the issue of modern activism.

All of that said, I really want to emphasize that this novel was an enjoyable read, with a fast-moving plot and three-dimensional and relatable characters. The themes are serious, for sure, but the reader is not bored. To be sure, in some scenes, characters do have conversations with each other about these issues, but moments like that are the exception rather than the rule, and overall, the novel moves quickly and engagingly towards a suspenseful ending.

As a note, I received an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's pretty rare for me to enjoy a book set in a world that's so far removed from my own experience, so I'm impressed by how thoroughly Consequence pulled me in. Before reading this book, my impression of the San Francisco activist scene was that it's basically a lot of idealistic former hippies and stoners who fervently hop from one "cause" to the next, but are essentially only talking to each other; Steve Masover deserves a lot of credit for showing a much more nuanced, complex world through his activist characters. Other reviewers have done a good job talking about the plot, so I'll leave that to them - I'm recommending this book because of the characters and their relationships, and the fully realized community that they're working in. I haven't read anything else like it, and that surprised me!

I really appreciated Masover's attention to detail, from the furtive, circuitous paths the characters take from home to coffee shop to wherever, to the rock-climbing practice session, to the clandestine meetings over triple-secret-secure internet chat, to the immense effort of planning a major demonstration. Many of his references did sail right over my head, though (Peter Kropotkin? Am I an idiot for not knowing who he is and why he's significant, or is he only relevant to intellectual anarchists?), and that was my main complaint. At one point, the main character is arguing with a non-activist woman, and says, "You don't want to assume people are ignorant or unthinking just because they've come to different conclusions than you have" - and yet, that's exactly what he's doing by dismissing her lack of engagement in his struggle. Interesting stuff.

One of the smaller plot lines especially stood out for me - Buzz, the tough-talking teenager who gets into some significant trouble. The activists genuinely help this kid, and it's one of the most direct examples of "activists ACT" in this book. Their care and concern for someone who's been a little asshole to them was honestly very touching. Here's evidence that they're living their values. Made me feel that these are real people, and even though I don't agree with most of their tactics or political stances, I really empathized and wanted them to succeed.

[Matthew Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Consequence by Steve Masover is a gripping novel, focusing on Christopher Kalman and his household of San Francisco political activists, who are losing faith in the effectiveness of their street protests. The novel traces strains on their non-violent principles as the household confronts challenges they are ill-prepared to negotiate, most dramatically Christopher’s recruitment by a shadowy figure to act more radically than he ever has before.

The novel’s plot is interleaved with thoughtful philosophical musing on the effectiveness of political demonstrations and civil disobedience, and the consequences of these and actions that go much further. The meditations don’t slow down the fast-paced momentum or the novel’s climactic denouement. Overall, Consequence poses serious questions to readers concerning what role one ought to play to be a responsible citizen.

That said, this novel was not a political lecture or polemic; rather, its focus was the characters and the intricate relationships of ordinary people who work day jobs, involve themselves in political issues, raise kids, care for families and communities, and struggle with the mundane issues everyone must attend to, whether they are politically active or not.

Through the taut and accelerating course of the events, we discover much about the vividly-drawn characters’ moral uprightness, outrage, dilemmas, self-doubt, and even despair. Their powerful adversaries are described palpably and convincingly. Readers are given a chance to see through their perspective, both as singular individuals, and as a chosen family or collective.

Masover’s language is economical and devoid of sentimentality, yet full of wonderful turns of phrases. I was reminded of the desert of Arizona: the beauty of the prose lies in its desolation and sparseness, and it is well-matched to the heart-rending story. The book’s ending made me feel lost and small, yet gave just enough of a flicker of hope to keep me warm.

I received a free, advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I found myself completely drawn into the multiple story lines that are expertly woven together into the conclusion of the story. The characters are beautifully fleshed out and Masover has been able to create the right amount of tension with his prose so you both want to hurry through to the conclusion and slow down to enjoy the style of his writing. Definitely a good read.

[Keiko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ending really surprised me. . . This book was worth waiting for . . .

[Andrew Brodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

CONSEQUENCE is about small people with a noble idea on the one hand, and a somewhat darker more narcissistic element on the other that operate alone and darkly confident in their isolation. The first group are not flashy people, they are people on the “fringe.” They are the kind of people that in small ways decided that organic food was healthy and started to grow it and by doing so pulled the whole of society with them so that every major grocery store has an organic section, no matter how suspect the store’s idea of "organic" might be. The other group are sure that they have the answer to a society run amok and understand that they are destined to step into the breach, although they are smart enough to know that they will not solve the world's problems with one almighty act. In Masover’s novel both groups are concerned with corporate America’s fixation with GMO’s no matter what the consequence for humanity is.

Neither of these groups are going to be embraced by the law (read the book and you will see where these 2 paths lead). The law has come down on the side of the corporations after all. It is one thing to make mumblings against the status quo and it is another thing to get away with throwing a wrench in the spokes of the wheel. There may be consequences. What do you do when you have arrived at the clear understanding that the status quo is pulling the plug on humanity? And no, these small conversations are not for lunatics although they sometimes join in too. After all, our fish comes with a warning that says don’t eat it if you are pregnant (and don't eat it if you are not pregnant), our storms are blowing people off their island homes, we have had wars that have killed 50 million people at time. Is it improbable that six or seven people sitting around a table won’t decide that something has to be done? Is it not possible that a lone wolf might draw similar conclusions? Might you not find yourself in a chat room listening to cynical disbelief? But none of this guarantees you the right to interfere with The Man’s way of life. You are small after all, and so are the people you care about. It is the caring that drives the desperation.

This is a fast read – a thriller of sorts – with slow burning questions raised by people you might know, because they are friends or because they hangout at your coffee shop or you sometimes see them at your local bookstore. What do you do about a society moving on a suicidal path? What price will you pay? What will the consequences be? Mr. Masover sifts through these thorny questions with a writer’s subtle hand. You may realize that many of us stand on that fringe. The book has a taste that lingers on the tongue. The questions don’t go away when the book ends.

[Jim Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rarely have I read a novel that I immediately desired to read again. In the first go-through, I was captivated by the characters, the suspense, the mystery – the thrill of the story. The second was for the sheer enjoyment of seeing how the writer pulled it off.

He does it with two main story lines, both protests against genetically modified organisms (GMOs). One is a blockade of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the raising of a huge banner with the slogan “GMOs = Poison for Profit.” The second is a bombing of the AgBio complex, an agricultural biotech research facility in Nebraska that is nearing the end of construction. They are very different types of protests, one political theater, the other sabotage. They occur nearly simultaneously, but the events are not coordinated – that is, the bridge protesters and the saboteurs (Chagall and Romulus) are not aware of the actions of the other.

But there is a link. Christopher, a long-time activist with “little to show,” is a principal organizer of the blockade. He is also the writer of the “manifesto” that Chagall and Romulus will use to justify their act of sabotage. Christopher, however, is ignorant of the who, how, when, and where of their action because his communications with the saboteurs, which are strictly through Chagall, are on-line with complex security protocols. Nevertheless, Christopher is complicit in the sabotage, drawing the two story lines together in a powerful climax.

This book raises important political and moral dilemmas. The activists know the world is “running off its rails.” But how does does one right the locomotive, so to speak? Christopher believes it can only come about by forcing change, so long as no one gets hurt. Unfortunately, as he begrudgingly acknowledges, “circumstances are never under complete control.” Unintended consequences can cause a wreck.

I must comment on an aspect of Steve Masover’s skill at engaging the reader – his use of the present tense. Most of the book is written in the past tense, but the scenes with Chagall and Romulus are in the present. The reason, I suspect, is to draw us closer to these distant conspirators.

But Masover uses it, too, to intensify feeling. From the moment things start to go wrong on the bridge until the end of the book, I (the reader) am in the immediacy of consequences, and my heart is pounding.

[Guita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging on many levels, I highly recommend reading Consequence. It took me too long to pick up this book and, once I did, I couldn't put it down. I loved the pace, the insights, the very special relationships, all bringing to light the aspirations and realities of hard core activists in ways that make the reader relate to each one of the characters on a human level, despite their vast differences. From the first paragraphs it's apparent that Steve Masover has a talent for fluid story telling, evocative metaphors and ironic observations. Whether describing a cooking scene in a vegetarian kitchen of an alternative community house, or climbing through narrow shafts maneuvering around intricate wiring, it was like you were there in the physical space and in the mind of the actors. The scenes on the bridge were pure brilliance with the coming together of different actions in various locations. Though fast paced, everything seemed to unfold as if in slow motion, and the author did a masterful job describing all the moving parts, physical and emotional. And he stole my anarchist heart with his forays into the intelligence of cooperatives, decentralized systems of organization, and the power of solidarity that makes communities more resilient, if at times vulnerable to consequences. With these concepts, Masover offers a sober perspective of a complex and unpredictable world, while giving us a glimpse into an alternative paradigm that might helps us create a better reality. Never predictable, it's one of those stories you want to read again, knowing what you know...well done!

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely blown away by Consequence, and wonder that movie rights haven't been snatched up. The dramatic tension is so expertly managed that it really was hard to put the book down. The characters are vivid and plausible, from the overbearing professor to the punk teenager to the passive-aggressive brother. I loved from the beginning that we weren't privy to some omniscient perspective, but knew the shadow characters only by the names invented for them by their contacts.... Chagall and Romulus are both unforgettable. Reading Consequence was somehow cathartic at this particular moment, as my hair is on fire while I try to imagine what I could do that would make some difference in our ongoing national tragedy; it helped me to bond with Christopher as he grapples with the risks and benefits of activism. Steve Masover has either had an amazing life, or has an amazing imagination, or both. He and his protagonist Chris make the case that, for better or worse, writing is consequential. And for that any reader can be grateful.

[Michael Kaufman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Page Turner on the Disaster of Genetic Engineering.

I met the author during his and my common fight against toxic coal overwhelming a poor neighborhood on the West Coast. Our struggle was, in some sense, paralleled by the story his novel tells - a story that gripped me.

We’re introduced to a collective of interesting people living in close, family connections, while rubbing against one another, and yet united in a non-violent quest to mobilize the city against genetic engineering.

Meanwhile, in a parallel story, saboteurs plot to violently destroy a development pushing that very same biological manipulation. Do these stories connect in some way? That question heightened the suspense already present in the two separate efforts.

The folks in the collective include a mom dealing with her teenager’s angst, while others are trying to recover from extreme difficulties. Meanwhile, the power of the FBI and the cops are bearing down on everyone. This is a tense, important and very relevant story that kept me riveted for days.

[Nissa Kagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masover's novel Consequence brings to life the dilemmas, joys and dangers faced by activists committed to social justice and the desire to create a better world. Expertly weaving together the lives of those with different views and approaches to confronting society's wrongs, the reader gets an insider's look at the fascinating and normally hidden world of activism, from civil disobedience to hacking to sabotage. Masover does an excellent job letting us into the workings of this underground world without overwhelming us with too many technical details or letting his characters succumb to stereotype. The story has enough action and mystery to keep you turning the pages and hoping that the motley crew of San Francisco activists really can save us from destroying our earth, or at least help us to see and act on our shared humanity.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those rare books that takes you inside the lives of leftist political activists in the SF Bay Area in recent years. Certainly one of the few books that takes such people seriously. Illustrates how a group's commitment to activism affects their living situation (collective home), childrearing, and thought processes. Dispels the notion that leftist activism is knee-jerk: decisions are taken seriously and nothing is idealized. The final plot twists are surprising yet rooted in the book's themes. A worthwhile read.

[Jude Berman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without giving spoilers, I will say the twist at the end of Consequence came as a complete surprise to me. It’s the kind of twist that inspires one to read a book again to figure out how we got there. In any case, Consequence is definitely worth at least one read! Some of the plot and social details are a bit historical ten years in, but the essence of the story is as timely now as when the book was published. How far are you willing to go to correct the wrongs of this world? And are some ways too far? Hopefully of us—activists as well as those less active—are thinking about that.

[Kate Raphael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Consequence. As an activist, it was a joy to read about social movements as they really are, not dumbed down or sped up. There’s a whole scene where people argue about what to put on a banner. The author has a wonderful sense of the right details to give the reader a bone-level experience of what it is like to engage in any given activity, whether it’s encrypting an online chat or practicing for a banner drop by climbing a rock face. He perfectly captures the emotional tenor of the time period – between the start of the Iraq war and the revelations of Abu Ghraib – for those who tried and failed to stop the war.

The book has two main point-of-view characters: Christopher Kalman, a 30-something journalist and part of a long-term social justice collective household in San Francisco; and Chagall, a nihilistic eco-saboteur who recruits Christopher to write a manifesto for an unnamed act of property destruction. Chagall is not his real name, and we never learn that or much else about him. For me, that deliberate opacity was a barrier to being fully engaged in those sections of the book. The chapters told from the point of view of Chagall or his even more remote co-conspirator focus very much on the technical aspects of planning and executing a large-scale, covert action. We never see either man interact for more than a few minutes with a live human (as opposed to anonymized computer chats). There’s some very skillful world-building in these sections; many of them involve drives through the middle of the country, and are dotted with stunningly poetic descriptions and give a visceral feeling of loneliness. For some readers, this may be enough but the lack of an emotional connection kept me from feeling invested in the outcome.

Fortunately, more of the novel revolves around Christopher, who is easy to root for, and I did, from the first page. The household he has created with his chosen family is warm and vibrant, and stands in elegant contrast to the bourgeois correctness of his professor father’s house. Christopher’s struggle to find meaning beyond the symbolic forms of protest he has come to feel are futile is highly believable. The last third of the book races by, and will leave you scrambling under your bed to see if there’s any more where that came from.

Some of the best drawn characters are other members of Christopher’s household: Allison Rayle, a single mother and passionate organizer for justice, her pre-teen son Jonah, and her ex-lover Brendan, who has recently survived a year in a Mexican prison. Their relationships are rich and vividly created and raise important issues about balancing family life with political commitment.

Overall, Consequence is a compelling story with well-articulated characters and settings. The moral questions it tackles, concerning the risks worth taking when one believes the future of the planet is at stake, become more relevant all the time. You will also learn a lot about Big Ag and the problems associated with genetically modified organisms.

[Steven M Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not an activist – in fact, I believe that most activists are kidding themselves about the impact they make; there’s a line in Consequence where they address people like me, who opt out of that crushing sense of responsibility. I suspect that the members of the Triangle – the collective where many of the characters in Consequence live – wouldn’t like me very much. I found them to be kind but naive, and a little bit sad. It’s a world – of actions and protests – that I know little about, and Consequence does a good job of portraying that world, and the fascinating (if foreign) mindset of the people in it.

Consequence isn’t a thriller – though there is some suspense, that’s not what drives it; it’s a meditation on the actions we take (or don’t), the reasons we take them, and what happens after. Consequence addresses this broad theme in different ways, through multiple threads and multiple points of view – sometimes a few too many, for me. I didn’t like Christopher, the main character, very much, and wished that some of the characters I liked more (Alison, Nora) had more screen time. This is part of the price, I think, of having a lot of characters, but on the other hand, I think there's real value in it, too, as I felt like I got a taste of (some of) the many kinds of people that populate the activist community. There were a couple of times that I felt lightly lectured to, as characters talked to each other about the evils of GMOs (for the record, I think GMOs are safe, and in fact the only way that we have even the slightest hope of feeding a growing population), but this wasn’t a major part of the book, and the characters themselves are in some ways too conflicted about the value of the lives they lead for the book to be heavy-handed. Like I said, it reads more like a thoughtful exploration of activism than something that espouses a liberal or conservative point of view, and though it’s not a thriller, it does get pretty fast paced at the end, as the shit hits the fan.

I received a free copy of Consequence in exchange for a review, and with the caveat (as I said) that it’s not a thriller, I’d recommend it for anyone interested in a window into the world of activism and activists, whether you are one or not (it's not preachy, so it might also be a good read for someone on the conservative side). I’ll admit that when I see the kind of activism the Triangle engages in on the news, I mostly think “goofballs… why are they bothering people?” and though Consequence didn't change my mind about how effective I think most activism is, I feel like I’m a little more informed about why some activists do what they do, and the culture that surrounds them. I think Consequence would make a good choice for a book club: like I said, there are multiple points of view, addressing the same general theme – there’s meat, here: in a group, especially, you could talk about the different characters and their stories, and what they're saying about what the limits are or should be to action in the pursuit of change.

[R. C. Barajas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Consequence is that rarest of stories – a smart, thoughtful and thrilling page-turner. The carefully constructed build-up to a very real act of violence is contrasted by serene domestic moments among a dedicated cohort of political activists. Their lives reveal the subtle dynamics of a chosen family community brought together by shared beliefs and a desire to help reshape the world around them, no matter how daunting a task. The light touch coupled with deep observation is characteristic of Masover’s writing style. The sense of place is so real you can feel the very topography of San Francisco on the pages of Consequence.

The activist world Masover depicts is far from Utopian. The inhabitants of the Triangle live humbly – in fact, in one scene, witnessed through the eyes of a non-denizen, their house is positively ramshackle, filled with evidence of poverty such as broken sofas and an antiquated, greasy kitchen. But as we come to know the housemates, we come to know their priorities and passions. They would rather spend what resources they have on helping a friend, or in support of a cause than in feathering their beloved nest.

Lest it sound as though Masover sees this world through rose-colored lenses, he casts an insider’s weathered eye over some of the absurdities and the in-fighting within the activist community itself. Dust rises between the various factions, and just as in any established political group, there is a spectrum from toe-the-line to radical fringe. The leaders, we see, are not innocent of some puppeteer-like string pulling of the masses.

The characters struggle with the activist’s inherent conundrum: that which is worthy of struggle does not often result in quantifiable results. Allison, Masover’s optimist, sees the difficulty, even when demonstrations are “successful” by sheer numbers. “Turning out 11 million people – 11 million – moves muscles to exactly where decisions get made. We did our part. We created enormous space for insider dissent. It’s the media that failed, and Congress failed harder.”

How dangerous, how fine the line between constructive and destructive actions. Two of Masover’s characters trip this line and teeter over the abyss, victims of their own impotent frustration, pawns to those with darker agendas.

Consequence is a cautionary tale about hubris and impatience, but its characters are so human that it is certainly an Everyperson’s story. They live and die by their principles, they go to prison or they go free, or they just go on. Every action we take has a consequence, whether it is the one we intend or something quite different.

I received an advance copy of Consequence in exchange for my honest review.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consequence has complex characters that make you feel like you are getting to know individuals instead of learn factoids that drive a plot line. Masover does not preach any moral messages or attempt to make the reader agree with his point of view. Instead Consequence presents the intertwining lives of a group of people with common goals but differing approaches. The main characters are part of a communal living situation called the Triangle. The relationships between the characters are intriguing by themselves, as they have the strong, supportive bonds of a family, but are robustly individualistic adults who don't cling to each other. It's nice to read a book with characters who have good judgement and treat each other with realistic respect. The mix of having to simultaneously deal with mundane drama while pursuing a larger vision allows Masover to keep the reader deeply engaged while showcasing the consistent, hard work that goes into political movements. The subversive secondary plot-line also gives the novel the tension and intrigue of a spy novel without any unrealistic plot devices.

My favorite part of the novel is that Consequence leaves you with no easy answers, and presents to you the subtleties of trying to make political change a reality. Normally social change is shown to us as sudden uprisings of political thought, with influential figures like Martin Luther King Jr. sprouting up out of no where and bringing about momentous change. What are typically ignored are the hundreds of actions that occur beforehand and build the stage for societal change. Consequence is about those actions, and the people behind them. It shows the struggles individuals face about whether or not to cross moral lines, and the general indifference to nuance the rest of the nation shows as they lump all activist movements together. As with any good novel, the lessons that you learn aren't necessarily from the climax of their goals. In Consequence their greatest victory isn't the results of the political actions they put on, but is from the home and support network they built with each other.

Definitely not your typical novel, and will be equally rewarding for those who don't frequently read, as well as voracious readers who are jaded to the standards.

[Alissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a multi-layered book, with an engaging plot that carries the reader through a variety of philosophical and moral questions on multiple scales.
On an individual, human level, the journey of the main character highlights struggles many of us seem to have with love; finding one's purpose in life; establishing your "home away from home" with a non-biological family; dealing with family dynamics amid the chaos of loss & death; and so on. It's a surprisingly long list for a relatively short book that also delves into larger-scale issues. I found that the book didn't deal with these on a surface level at all, but that as a reader I resonated with the characters and saw many parallels with my experiences.
I thought that the book captured the activist spirit of the SF Bay Area, with characters that wouldn't surprise me if they existed in real life. The issues faced on a group and individual level in the realm of activism are demonstrated beautifully in Consequence. Anyone interested in activism or already an activist would find reading this book to be a really enjoyable way to explore this issues. Despite the twists in the novel, it left me feeling energized & optimistic about social change...like I could hop right up and join a protest there & then.
When it comes to our society, our treatment of real life events in the media, the weird dynamics of social groups, I also think that Consequence touches on these issues quite well. The time the story is set in is a period many people can relate to (post 9/11), and is a valuable moment to reflect on. Given the upheaval that followed, I really enjoyed reading this book because I could look back on and reflect on that era in the context of a fictional story. It seems inevitable upon reading this book to ask what role did I have in the decade or so that has followed? What do I care about, and how is that reflected in my actions?
In a nutshell, Consequence was very entertaining to read, but still managed to deal with fundamental human problems in a genuine, in depth way. I think the mark of a good book is one that spurs questioning, not only about "what will happen next" but about one's own life & society.

[Laura Galligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of Consequence in exchange for my honest review. Steve Masover’s first novel is an insightful and warm portrayal of group radical activists in small collective in San Francisco where the ties of friendship are old and deep. The novel focuses as much on their loyalty to each other as it does on their need take responsibility of politically, and their turmoil over just how. Part thriller, part meditation, and never preachy, the novel starts slowly and speeds up, building toward suspense, and ending with a surprise that had me re-reading the story for clues. However, while the suspense is gripping, it is the intelligence, sincerity and authenticity of Masover’s characters that captivated me in this novel. He reveals their thinking beautifully and convincingly. The cast is big, but the only a few are fully developed: Christopher, a writer and computer programmer, explains the threat of GMOs to his love interest as well as to his biologist father using narrative and metaphors that are startlingly deft. He brings in historical facts as well as corporate motivation at the inception of the GMO phenomenon and weaves this into the story briefly and clearly. Brendan, the ex-lover of Alison who is the unspoken leader of the collective, has just returned from a year in a Mexican prison for attempting to help the Zapatistas, and Masover excels at putting into words to sadness and despair he feels as he struggles to have a greater impact, to reach a wider audience, as well as to understand what happened to him and the gulf it has created between him and his friends. Their musings resonate deeply with the environmentalist and the activist in me. To find a way forward, Christopher takes a risk, weighing questions of violence, kinds of violence, and his precept of “first, do no harm”, and has to grapple with the consequences.

[Steven Yi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consequence is a beautifully crafted and thrilling read. The primary story revolves around Christopher Kalman and his housemates' plans to protest a conference for genetically-modified food. This story is interwoven with a counterpoint of richly nuanced lines exploring the many ways that people approach political action, and the array of consequences that result. It is a story not only about political activism itself, but also the political activists and the people affected by their actions.

I loved the pace of the story. It moved so very fluidly from the lighthearted to the serious, and from the deeply introspective to the most direct of actions. I found myself interested both with who these characters were, as well as what they were all going to do next.

Another aspect of the story is its time and place: the Bay Area, post-9/11. This resonates deeply with me as I had lived in the Bay Area at the time of the story. The characters and setting felt all very genuine, and I found myself nostalgic for an SF from my personal past. These were places I knew, and people I might have met or known.

In the end, I personally got a lot out of reading Consequence. It made me think a lot about political activists: what motivates them? what are they fighting for? why? who do they affect? It provided a wonderfully thrilling story that was hard to put down. Finally, as this was the first time I read a book in this genre of fiction, I found I really enjoyed it very much and look forward to further exploring stories like Consequence.

(I received a free, advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.)

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful and though-provoking story of activists who are forced to confront how far they will carry their activism. One of the blurbs on the back cover compares the book to The Monkey Wrench Gang, which is interesting, but more for the contrast, I think. I loved Abbey's book when I was younger, but it is a kind of fantasy about ecoterrorism that skirts the impact that planning and executing such acts has on people around those involved.

Consequence paints a portrait of people who are committed on a day to day basis to a set of principles, and to living those principles in an effort to make the world a better place. It is the more mundane version of activism that many of us aspire to, and yet most are unwilling to actually live out; the development of these characters is somewhat uneven, but generally very compelling, and some of the smaller scenes will stay with me.

However the book turns on a few greater acts that challenge the bounds of what is justifiable, and what is not, when trying to engage a broader population on issues we face. This is the heart of the book, and in his thoughtful treatment of this, Masover brings home what I think it means to be an activist, to those of us who generally watch from the edges.

[Raymond Yee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope that "Consequence" gets a wide reading, especially by anyone weighing the personal costs of protesting our imperfect social system as a necessary step to improving it. How do you deal with the possibility of unintended but destructive consequences that can flow from your work? How do you deal with the fear of powerful forces that might punish and crush any dissent?

Through reading "Consequence," I got to imagine the lives of people I have largely admired but have taken for granted: idealistic leftist activists who take to the street and put their bodies at risk to disrupt normal life to draw attention to crucial issues.

I did not have to read far into the book before I developed a fondness for many of the characters of "Consequence." By making me care about the mundane realities, the motivations, and fates of fictional (but richly drawn) activists who are willing to put more of themselves on the line than I am, Masover is challenging me to examine myself and ask, "What more can I be doing to make the world a better place?"

Without a doubt, "Consequence" made me squirm at times. Masover described how his characters planned and executed their disruptive, perhaps reckless, plots in such vivid detail that I felt their moral and physical danger in my gut. Thought-provoking and emotionally satisfying book indeed.