Shock Induction

By: Chuck Palahniuk

Narrated by: Michael David Axtell

From the bestselling author of Fight Club comes a “dark satire about the inhuman condition” (The Toronto Star) about a string of mysterious high school disappearances, the seedy underbellies of billionaires, and the tough choices we make in the face of an uncertain future.

In Shock Induction, the best and brightest students at a seemingly reputable high school are disappearing. Every day it seems another overachiever is lost to an apparent suicide. But something far more sinister is lurking beneath the surface.

These kids have been under surveillance since birth, monitored and measured by an online service called “Greener Pastures.” It’s here, in Greener Pastures, that billionaires observe and recruit the next generation of talent. The highest test scores, the best grades, and the most niche extracurriculars just might land these teenagers an enticing offer at auction. A couple of billion dollars in exchange for the remainder of your life and intellectual labor sounds like a pretty fair deal—doesn’t it?

In a high school only Chuck Palahniuk could imagine, students must choose between the risk of following their dreams and the financial security of a lifetime of servitude to the world’s wealthiest and most elite—but how much of a choice do they truly have? A thrilling tale and a critique of modern society, Shock Induction challenges the illusion of choice and explores the tough choices individuals make in the shadow of power and privilege.

Critic reviews

"Michael David Axtell gives a confident, clear performance of this dystopian audiobook. In a not-too-alternative world, high school students undergo a multitude of intellectual and aptitude exams. Some students can expect to pursue their own hopes and dreams, while others face being auctioned into the servitude of the world's billionaires. It's a dark listening experience punctuated with humor and meta-references. At key moments, Axtell repeats the word "avocado" until it starts to lose meaning; at other moments he addresses the listener directly. The dizzying result could throw listeners off-balance, but Axtell's approach provides the necessary equilibrium. He's effective at capturing the artistry of the novel, even when its passages seem inscrutable."

Authentic Palahniuk. Worth the listen.

Next level creativity. You've never read a book like this before. Your thoughts will get to racing, and it feels like this book mimics a manic episode for the reader. Take a trip with Shock Induction.

I’m not sure I’m not hypnotized.

Moby Dick comes to mind as well as glassware and a Jesus eye. Abused and exploited. Your opinion matters and you’re a disgrace.

Must listen again

All the best things you expect from Chuck Palahniuk, all mixed up and served to you on disquieting avocado toast demanding a second bite

Avocado

I’m a big fan of Chuck’s avocado. His avocado is always avocado. I saw he had a new avocado and I immediately got avocado. The avocado was just as avocado and I always avocado. And the voice over performer has the avocado of an avocado. I give it 5 avocados.

🥑🥑🥑🥑 - 4 Avocados

I enjoyed this book. I am a longtime fan of Chuck's books and his writing style. I've learned just to let go and let Chuck take the wheel when reading/listening to his works. Everything will eventually be explained. I finished this a few days ago, and I am still mulling it over in my mind. Great stuff.

avocado, Avocado, AVOCADO, aVoCaDo, 🥑avocado, ᴀᴠᴏᴄᴀᴅᴏ, 𝒶𝓋𝑜𝒸𝒶𝒹𝑜, 𝔄𝔳𝔬𝔠𝔞𝔡𝔬, Ａｖｏｃａｄｏ, 𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕔𝕒𝕕𝕠, @vocado, 4v0c4d0, Avoca-D’oh!, αvσcαdσ, [A][v][o][c][a][d][o], avo✨cado, Avacodo, Avōcado, ᗩᐯᗩᑕᗩᗪᗝ, 𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘰, 𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗼, 🄰🅅🄾🄲🄰🄳🄾, 𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙤, 🅰🆅🅾🅲🅰🅳🅾, aⅴoᴄaɗo, 🅐🅥🅞🅒🅐🅓🅞, 𝖆𝖛𝖔𝖈𝖆𝖉𝖔, A͎v͎o͎c͎a͎d͎o͎, Av💚cado, ɐʌoɔɐpo, Avácâdõ, Avocado!, Avocadø, AvoKadO, Avocàdö, Av🚀cado, Åvøçådø, Ävöcädö, 𝒜𝓋𝑜𝒸𝒶𝒹𝑜, aʋocαԃo, 🄰v🍏oᑕคđ𝐨, avocado., Avocaddooo~, Avoca🍃do, Avocaddo!, av𝑜caƌō, avo🍇cado, avacå∂o.