Going, Going, Gone

Going, Going, Gone takes place in an alternate 1968 New York City, where the American Civil War never occurred and the United States has evolved into a Nazi-influenced surveillance state. The story follows Walter Bullitt, a drug expert who works with government intelligence agencies while hiding his African-American heritage in a society marked by extreme racial oppression. Walter's professional life involves navigating a complex web of government agencies and psychoactive substances. His world begins to shift when he experiences inexplicable phenomena, including encounters with what appear to be visitors from a futuristic parallel version of New York. The novel serves as the conclusion to Womack's Dryco series, bringing together elements and characters from previous books. It operates within a detailed alternate history where the absence of the Civil War has created profound changes in American society and culture. This dark alternate history explores themes of identity, reality, and the consequences of societal choices through the lens of parallel universes and temporal displacement. The work raises questions about how small changes in history can create vastly different futures.

Readers note this is one of Womack's more challenging and experimental works. Some find the phonetic dialect and cyberpunk elements create an immersive near-future world, while others struggle with the unconventional writing style. What readers liked: - Unique linguistic approach and world-building - Dark humor and social commentary - Complex character relationships - Vivid descriptions of a dystopian New York What readers disliked: - Difficult to parse phonetic dialogue - Plot can be hard to follow - Some found the pacing slow - Violence and bleakness overwhelming for some Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 3.5/5 (6 reviews) One reader on Goodreads called it "a linguistic rollercoaster that rewards patient readers," while another noted it was "nearly impenetrable at first but worth the effort." Multiple Amazon reviewers mentioned needing to re-read sections to understand the dialogue.

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick A parallel history novel set in a world where the Axis powers won World War II explores themes of alternate realities and oppressive societies through multiple character perspectives.

Watchmen by Alan Moore Set in an alternate 1985 America, this graphic novel presents a dark reflection of society through surveillance, government control, and shifting realities.

Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said by Philip K. Dick The story of a celebrity who awakens to find himself in a parallel world features themes of identity crisis and government surveillance in a police state.

The Plot Against America by Philip Roth An alternate history where Charles Lindbergh becomes president explores the rise of fascism in America through the lens of a Jewish family in Newark.

Fatherland by Robert Harris A detective story set in an alternate 1964 where Nazi Germany won World War II examines themes of truth and power in a totalitarian state.

🔹 The Dryco series, which includes "Going, Going, Gone," influenced cyberpunk pioneer William Gibson, who called Womack's work "the best-kept secret in science fiction." 🔹 Before becoming a novelist, Jack Womack worked as a publicist for major publishing houses and helped promote works by writers like Stephen King and Jackie Collins. 🔹 The novel's 1968 setting coincides with one of New York City's most turbulent real-world periods, when the city faced severe social unrest, financial difficulties, and record crime rates. 🔹 Womack's portrayal of alternate history New York was partly inspired by his experiences living in Manhattan's East Village during the 1970s and 1980s. 🔹 The book's exploration of psychoactive substances reflects actual CIA experiments with mind-altering drugs during the 1960s, including the notorious Project MKUltra.