The Free People's Village

Written by Sim Kern

Narrated by Sophie Amoss

In an alternate 2020 timeline, Al Gore won the 2000 election and declared a War on Climate Change rather than a War on Terror. Green infrastructure projects have transformed U.S. cities into lush paradises (for wealthy, white neighborhoods, at least), and the Bureau of Carbon Regulation levies carbon taxes on every financial transaction.

Maddie Ryan is a 24-year-old English teacher at a predominantly Black high school in Houston. Teaching is just a job for her; it pays the bills, and she lives for band practices with her queer punk band, Bunny Bloodlust.

When Maddie learns that the neighborhood where she teaches and her band plays is to be sacrificed for a new electromagnetic hyperway out to the suburbs, she joins a Black-led organizing movement fighting for the neighborhood. At first, she’s only focused on keeping
her band together and getting closer to the band’s guitarist (and her crush) Red.

But working with Save the Eighth forces Maddie to reckon with the harm she has already done to the neighborhood—both as a resident of the gentrifying Lab and as a white teacher in a predominantly Black school.

When police respond to their protests with violence, the Lab becomes the epicenter of “The Free People’s Village”—an occupation that promises to be the birthplace of an anti-capitalist revolution.

In The Free People’s Village, Sim Kern dares to ask the question that many socialjustice-minded individuals have long grappled with: When justice comes knocking, will you be brave enough to answer?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798890595997

Reviews for The Free People's Village

[Christine · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Some pacing issues in the second half, but an incredible intersectional book that delves into vital issues of the present day. Narration very well delivered.

4.5⭐️

[Katrina Thaxton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very powerful read. It’s showing us what we are living today.

[Mateo Mower · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Blah blah blah. Another dystopian I’m gay, Christianity and white people are the problem trope. So boring