The Doubt Factory

By: Paolo Bacigalupi

Narrated by: Emma Galvin

In this contemporary thriller, National Book Award Finalist and New York Times bestselling author Paolo Bacigalupi explores the timely issue of how public information is distorted for monetary gain, and how those who exploit it must be stopped.

Everything Alix knows about her life is a lie. At least that's what a mysterious young man who's stalkingher keeps saying. But then she begins investigating the disturbing claims he makes against her father. Could her dad really be at the helm of a firm that distorts the truth and covers up wrongdoing by hugely profitable corporations that have allowed innocent victims to die? Is it possible that her father is the bad guy, and that the undeniably alluring criminal who calls himself Moses--and his radical band of teen activists--is right? Alix has to make a choice, and time is running out, but can she truly risk everything and blow the whistle on the man who loves her and raised her?

Interesting idea, but kind of silly

The basic idea of the book is great. The execution of the story just doesn’t really make sense.

good story

Good story but a little predictable. I chose the book because of the author; not the story line. Check out his other works.

Engaging

This is an adult-themed novel despite speaking through the perspective of a teenage character. The author speaks truth to power through the vehicle of fiction. A good and thought-provoking listen.

Great read

What or who is behind big corporations? Loved the story and its clever ideas.

Exploration of owning ones principles and idealism

Like PB’s other young adult releases this book reads at a mature level, is enjoyable at any age. It is a tale of the having ones blissful youth shattered by cold realities that adulthood brings, the realizations that accompany a better understanding of the world we live in. And how soul crushing it can be to realize that one may be part of the problem itself, themes that any young person leaving the warm bliss of childhood encounters upon adolescence, maturity. Like his other books this is well researched, involves a timely important subject (questionable safety of common household and pharma products) and again asks of todays tech: just because we can does it mean we should? And what are the human costs? The Young Adult catagorization is betrayed only in its relative simplistic ideologies and fantastical scenarios, that the main characters are teens. Otherwise this is yet another in PB’s list of must-reads, er listens (the performance is stellar, not over dramatic, the readers excellent annunciation bearing a stark contrast to that of typical mumbling teenagers we live amongst). I would have given this title 5 stars across the board if only because I would steer newbies to PB to his epics Wind Up Girl, Pump Six, and Water Knife first, which are hands down masterpieces.