Random Acts of Senseless Violence

Random Acts of Senseless Violence is a dystopian and speculative fiction novel by Jack Womack.[3]

This article is about the novel. For the song by Anthrax, see Stomp 442.
Random Acts of Senseless Violence
First edition (UK)
AuthorJack Womack
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Series"Dryco" series[1]
GenreSpeculative fiction, dystopian novel
PublisherHarperCollins (UK)
Atlantic Monthly Press (US)[2]
Publication date
October 1993 (UK)
September 1994 (US)[2]
Media typePrint (hardcover)
Pages256
ISBN0-246-13850-5
Preceded byElvissey 
Followed byGoing, Going, Gone 

Plot introduction

The novel is told in the form of a fictional diary by the 12-year-old protagonist Lola Hart, and details Lola and her family's experiences in a near-future Manhattan in which violence, rising unemployment, and riots are commonplace in the city, as well as the rest of the United States.[3] As the novel progresses, Lola transforms from a student at one of Manhattan's most privileged private schools to a street-wise gangster as she and her family struggle to survive the despair of a crumbling government and economy.[3]

Critical reception

The book did not attract significant attention on release; though there were a few reviews, it was not nominated for any awards even though Womack's previous work, Elvissey won the prestigious Philip K. Dick Award and was shortlisted for the Locus Award.[4] In a July 2008 article for Tor.com, Jo Walton decried the critical neglect of the work.[4] Walton speculated that its lack of prominence was due to its initial low-key reception, the "singularly appalling" cover art of the early editions, a title that was "off-putting" and misleading, and its disconnect from the zeitgeist of the time, which was focused on cyberpunk and space opera.[4] She was echoed by fellow science fiction author Cory Doctorow, who described the work as "an unflinching, engrossing, difficult coming-of-age story" and referred to it as "Womack's underappreciated masterpiece".[5]

Publication history
  • 1993, UK, HarperCollins, ISBN 0-246-13850-5, Pub date October 1993, Hardback
  • 1994, US, Atlantic Monthly Press, ISBN 0-87113-577-9, Pub date September 1994, Hardback
  • 1994, UK, HarperCollins, ISBN 0-586-21320-1, Pub date October 1994, Paperback
  • 1995, US, Grove Press, ISBN 0-8021-3424-6, Pub date October 1995, Paperback
  • 2013, UK, Gollancz, ISBN 978-0-575-13230-6, Pub date October 2013, Paperback

[2]

gollark: If I found such an exploit and wanted to do moderately evil things, I would probably try and subtly influence Twitter's hive mind by fiddling with likes and such.
gollark: Is 100 kiloeuros "set for life" money, though?
gollark: But ideally somewhat seriously, as opposed to, what, funnily?
gollark: I mean, I'm considering hypotheticals and stuff here.
gollark: What do you mean "seriously think"?

References
  1. Di Filippo, Paul (March 19, 2001). "Going, Going, Gone". SCI FI Weekly. Archived from the original on October 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  2. isfdb
  3. Siegel, Robert (January 11, 1995). "REVIEW OF `RANDOM ACTS OF SENSELESS VIOLENCE'". All Things Considered. NPR. HOST:New York City in the very near future is the setting for a new novel by science fiction writer, Jack Womack. The book is called Random Acts of Senseless Violence. It traces the evolution of a privileged, 12-year-old, Manhattan school girl from innocence to experience against the background of a crumbling city. Alan Cheuse has this review ALAN CHEUSE, Critic: Lola Hart [sp] attends Briarly, one of the poshest of Manhattan's private schools.
  4. Walton, Jo (July 25, 2008). "Random Acts of Senseless Violence: Why isn't it a classic of the field?". Tor.com. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
  5. Doctorow, Cory (July 25, 2008). "Jack Womack's underappreciated masterpiece, "Random Acts of Senseless Violence"". Boing Boing. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
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