California (novel)

California

Company type	Novel
Industry	Literature
Founded	2014 (2014)
Founder	Edan Lepucki
Products	Post-apocalyptic dystopian fiction novel

California is a novel authored by American writer Edan Lepucki, categorized as "post-apocalyptic dystopian fiction." The story centers on Frida and Cal, who escape from Los Angeles to survive in the wilderness of a post-apocalyptic California. The book rose to prominence after Stephen Colbert encouraged his audience to pre-order it through retailers other than Amazon.com during a conflict between Amazon and Colbert's publisher, the Hachette Book Group. On July 21, 2014, Colbert revealed that the novel would enter The New York Times Best Seller list at number three.

Plot

Young couple Frida Ellis and Calvin Friedman flee a ruined Los Angeles to live off the land as foragers and farmers in a deserted house located in Northern California. In contrast, more affluent survivors inhabit "Communities" equipped with internet connectivity, private security, and additional conveniences.

After Frida learns she is expecting a child, they leave their isolated home to seek assistance from a community capable of supporting them in raising the baby. They confront the dilemma of whether to disclose the pregnancy, which could affect a communal decision regarding their continued residence.

The "Colbert Bump"

On June 4, 2014, Stephen Colbert used his show The Colbert Report to humorously criticize Amazon for removing various titles, including books published by his publisher, the Hachette Book Group. He encouraged viewers to pre-order California, released by Hachette's Little, Brown imprint, through independent bookstore Powell's Books to help increase its sales.

The novel attracted nationwide media coverage with reviews appearing in The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times. The New York Times remarked that Lepucki had "hit the literary jackpot." Initially slated for a print run of 12,000 copies, Hachette expanded it to 60,000. California became one of the most preordered debut novels from Hachette. Lepucki signed 10,000 copies at Powell’s headquarters over three days.

Reception

Generally favorable reviews greeted California, though much of its attention was attributed to Colbert’s advocacy against Amazon. The Boston Globe described it as "a largely solid debut," while The Washington Post highlighted Lepucki’s plot twists as both "exciting" and "entertaining."

The New York Post included the book among its "29 best books of the summer," and the Orlando Weekly featured it in their "2014 Summer Guide."

See also

• Cultural impact of The Colbert Report