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Book Cover for: The Bombshell, Darrow Farr

The Bombshell

Darrow Farr

Washington Post's "10 Noteworthy Books for May"

"An escapist, Hollywood-ready excursion to Corsica."--Vogue

"A lush, cinematic and propulsive novel filled with sex, violence, glamor and a true revolutionary spirit. It's a towering literary achievement."--Adam Johnson, Pulitzer Prize winner

A young woman's radicalization sparks a widespread movement and media frenzy in this explosive novel of youthful passion, political awakening and first love, by an extraordinary new talent.

Corsica, 1993. As a sun-drenched Mediterranean summer heads into full swing, beautiful and brash seventeen-year-old Séverine Guimard is counting down the days until graduation, dreaming of stardom while smoking cigarettes, and seducing boys in her class to pass the time. The pampered French American daughter of a politician, Séverine knows she's destined for bigger things.

That is, until one night, Séverine is snatched off her bike by a militant trio fighting for Corsican independence and held for a large ransom. When the men fumble negotiating her release, the four become unlikely housemates deep in the island's remote interior. Eager to gain the upper hand, Séverine sets out to charm her captors, and soon the handsome, intellectual leader, Bruno, the gentle university student, Tittu, and even the gruff, unflappable Petru grow to enjoy the company of their headstrong hostage.

As Séverine is exposed to the group's politics, they ignite something unexpected within her, and their ideas begin to take root. With her flair for the spotlight and newfound beliefs, Séverine becomes the face of a radical movement for a global TV audience. What follows is a summer of passion and terror, careening toward an inevitable, explosive conclusion, as Séverine steps into the biggest role of her life.

An electric novel by an extraordinary new talent, The Bombshell is filled with seduction and fervor, and explores the wonders and perils of youthful idealism, the combustibility of celebrity, and the sublime force of young love.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books
  • Publish Date: May 27th, 2025
  • Pages: 416
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 9.10in - 6.40in - 1.50in - 1.25lb
  • EAN: 9780593833247
  • Categories: Coming of AgeWomenLiterary

About the Author

Darrow Farr is a Salvadoran American writer. She was a Stegner Fellow in Fiction at Stanford University from 2017 to 2019 and received an MFA in creative writing from the Michener Center at the University of Texas. The Bombshell is her debut novel. She was born and raised outside Philadelphia, where she now lives with her husband and son.

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Praise for this book

Praise for The Bombshell

"A lush, cinematic and propulsive novel filled with sex, violence, glamor and a true revolutionary spirit. It's a towering literary achievement. The Bombshell is certain to be the debut of the year, a true must-read."--Adam Johnson, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner