Austin Grossman

Austin Grossman is an American author and video game designer known for his work on influential games like Deus Ex and Dishonored, as well as his novels that often explore superhero and gaming culture themes. Born in 1969 in Concord, Massachusetts, he comes from a family of writers and artists, including his twin brother Lev Grossman. After graduating from Harvard University, Grossman began his career in video game development at Looking Glass Studios, where he helped pioneer narrative techniques in games like System Shock. His work in the gaming industry spans multiple major studios including DreamWorks Interactive, Ion Storm, and Crystal Dynamics, and he later served as Director of Game Design at Magic Leap. As an author, Grossman has published three novels: Soon I Will Be Invincible (2007), YOU (2013), and Crooked (2015). His fiction often blends genres and examines popular culture through literary perspectives, with particular focus on superhero narratives and video game development. Currently, Grossman teaches writing and narrative design at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, continuing to influence both the gaming and literary fields. His work regularly appears in The New York Times, contributing to discussions about gaming and contemporary culture.

Readers appreciate Grossman's insider knowledge of video game development and his ability to capture gaming culture, particularly in "You" and "Soon I Will Be Invincible." Many note his skill at deconstructing superhero and gaming tropes while maintaining respect for the genres. Common criticisms include slow pacing, uneven plot development, and characters that can feel distant or hard to connect with. Several readers mention struggling to finish "You" despite enjoying its premise. On Goodreads, readers frequently note that his novels start strong but lose momentum in the middle sections. "Soon I Will Be Invincible" maintains a 3.6/5 on Goodreads (23,000+ ratings) and 4/5 on Amazon (300+ ratings). "You" holds a 3.5/5 on Goodreads (2,800+ ratings) and 3.8/5 on Amazon (150+ ratings). One reader summed up the common sentiment: "Grossman's books have brilliant concepts and moments of genuine insight, but sometimes get lost in their own cleverness."

Soon I Will Be Invincible (2007) A superhero novel alternating between the perspectives of Doctor Impossible, a brilliant supervillain, and Fatale, a cyborg superhero, as they navigate a world of capes, powers, and complex motivations.

YOU (2013) A novel following a video game developer who returns to the studio where he started his career, uncovering mysteries about his deceased friend and co-founder while exploring the evolution of gaming from the 1990s through the present.

Crooked (2015) An alternate history novel reimagining President Richard Nixon's career and presidency as a cosmic horror story involving supernatural forces and cold war occultism.

Ernest Cline writes about video game culture and virtual worlds, incorporating deep knowledge of gaming history and pop culture references. His novels Ready Player One and Armada explore similar themes to Grossman's YOU, examining the intersection of gaming and real life.

Nick Harkaway combines genre elements like superheroes and spy fiction with literary techniques, similar to Grossman's approach in Soon I Will Be Invincible and Crooked. His novels The Gone-Away World and Angelmaker feature complex plots and unconventional characters operating in worlds that blend reality with fantastic elements.

Charles Yu uses meta-fictional techniques to examine pop culture and identity through science fiction frameworks. His work Interior Chinatown and How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe share Grossman's interest in deconstructing genre conventions while maintaining narrative momentum.

Max Barry writes about technology, corporations, and power structures with similar attention to systemic details found in Grossman's work. His novels Jennifer Government and Providence explore institutional systems and their effects on individuals, mixing humor with criticism.

Michael Chabon blends genre fiction with literary approaches, particularly in his treatment of comic book themes and alternate histories. His novels The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay and The Yiddish Policemen's Union demonstrate similar genre-bending techniques to Grossman's work while maintaining focus on character development.