THE BOMBSHELL

In 1993 Corsica, a kidnapped teen conspires with her captors to incite an uprising.

If it were up to her, 17-year-old Séverine Guimard would be spending her final semesters of lycée in Paris with her friends. Instead, the aspiring actress is enduring a lonely year at an unfamiliar school on Corsica, where her French politician father is prefect. A listless Séverine is riding her bike alone one night when men grab her, bind her, and stuff her in their vehicle’s trunk. They drive her to a secluded cottage deep in the scrublands and lock her in a closet. Séverine’s abductors—Soffiu di Libertà, a trio seeking Corsica’s independence from France—demand 5 million francs and the release of a political prisoner (their fourth member) in exchange for Séverine’s safe return. Séverine’s wealthy parents promptly pay up, but France’s interior minister, presidential hopeful Bernard Jonnart, refuses to negotiate. After a weeklong stalemate, the young men debate killing Séverine, but instead relocate her to a sparsely furnished outbuilding while they plot their next move. Out of boredom and attempted ingratiation, Séverine begins discussing political philosophy with teacher Bruno, foraging with ecology student Tittu, and cooking with chef Petru. Camaraderie develops, and—deciding she wants “stardom, her future, now”—Séverine joins Soffiu di Libertà, using her beauty, charisma, and sex appeal to garner press, while also pushing the cell in an increasingly radical direction. No rebellion comes without casualties, however. Though far from breezy, Farr’s accomplished debut deftly balances heady ruminations on colonialism and revolution with relatable human moments. Too many obstacles are too easily overcome, but vibrant prose lends texture and urgency, while the fully fleshed characters’ increasingly thorny interpersonal relationships raise the story’s stakes and give it soul.

A passionate powder keg of a novel.