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Doppelganger

A Trip Into the Mirror World

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Doppelganger

By: Naomi Klein
Narrated by: Naomi Klein
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Brought to you by Penguin.

*WINNER OF THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION*

*THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER*
*A BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR THE TIMES, NEW YORK TIMES, GUARDIAN, OBSERVER, AND PROSPECT*

When Naomi Klein discovered that a woman who shared her first name, but had radically different, harmful views, was getting chronically mistaken for her, it seemed too ridiculous to take seriously. Then suddenly it wasn't. She started to find herself grappling with a distorted sense of reality, becoming obsessed with reading the threats on social media, the endlessly scrolling insults from the followers of her doppelganger. Why had her shadowy other gone down such an extreme path? Why was identity - all we have to meet the world - so unstable?

To find out, Klein decided to follow her double into a bizarre, uncanny mirror world: one of conspiracy theories, anti-vaxxers and demagogue hucksters, where soft-focus wellness influencers make common cause with fire-breathing far right propagandists (all in the name of protecting 'the children'). In doing so, she lifts the lid on our own culture during this surreal moment in history, as we turn ourselves into polished virtual brands, publicly shame our enemies, watch as deep fakes proliferate and whole nations flip from democracy to something far more sinister.

This is a book for our age and for all of us; a deadly serious dark comedy which invites us to view our reflections in the looking glass. It's for anyone who has lost hours down an internet rabbit hole, who wonders why our politics has become so fatally warped, and who wants a way out of our collective vertigo and back to fighting for what really matters.

‘If I had to name a single book that makes sense of these last few dark years, it would be this one’ New York Times

‘A deeply compelling read … urgent and necessary’ Evening Standard
Naomi Klein, author of era-defining bestsellers, The Shock Doctrine, This Changes Everything and No Logo, is back with her most compulsive and personal book yet: a revelatory journey into the mirror world of our polarised age


©2023 Naomi Klein (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Anthropology Content Creation & Social Media Media Studies Politics & Government Social Media Social Sciences Sociology Thought-Provoking Socialism Social justice
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Critic reviews

A brilliant interrogation and analysis of the disturbing fissures and extreme factions evident in our politics and culture at the moment. Everyone should read it
It’s the perfect non-fiction book (Sathnam Sanghera)
Dazzling and erudite ... There is something hopeful in this project, in its sheer intellectual ambition and range, its effort to pick apart and decipher the absurdities and ironies of our political derangement, which almost no other writer could pull off. If I had to name a single book that makes sense of these last few dark years, it would be this one.
A deeply compelling read, one which feels urgent and necessary as we enter yet another period of political strife. In Doppelganger, Klein gives shape and context to that apocalyptic mindset – and implores us to offer up an alternative.
A book of surprising insights, unexpected connections and great subtlety ... Doppelganger is really a story of political and psychic confusion ... True to form, Klein’s ultimate message is log off and get on to the streets. (William Davies)
Since reading Doppelganger, I have talked about it at least once a week. Friends and family, wearied into submission, have either read it or, very possibly, pretended to have read it to shut me up. With this book, Naomi Klein is asking the key questions that underpin the crises that engulf us. How do we combat online radicalisation? How do we rebuild communities in the face of despotic governments and the climate crisis? A case of mistaken identity leads her down the disinformation rabbit hole, prompting questions that she tackles with her customary insight, empathy and exquisite prose. This is the essential book for our times. (Nish Kumar)
I’ve been raving about Naomi Klein’s Doppelganger ... I can’t think of another text that better captures the berserk period we’re living through. (Michelle Goldberg)
It begins as a pandemic memoir on the doppelganger theme: Klein is confused with feminist-turned-conspiracy theorist Naomi Wolf. Then it becomes a painful investigation into what drives people to the dark side of the political spectrum. It’s a vulnerable exploration of the leftwing political movement and the shadowlands of the west (Jenny Hval)
A deeply insightful inquiry into the ways in which the technology that drives our lives increasingly demands mirror-image doubles, tribal combatants to fuel a divided culture ... a powerful antidote. In articulating and examining some of the darker forces of the world her “double” inhabits, Klein never forgets that the primary purpose of mirrors is actually self-reflection; to understand the other, you first have to know yourself. (Tim Adams)
All stars
Most relevant
As always, Klein takes the themes that swirl around radical left politics and weaves them together into a compelling narrative, well researched and well argued, with a self-knowledge and humility that’s really refreshing to hear. It’s always great to hear the author in their own words too - the emphasis and intonation is perfect. Plus the twist right at the end is compelling too.

A wide ranging and wonderfully insightful exploration of modern culture and politics

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This is an essential listen … read by the author who, in my estimation, is one of the most important thinkers of our generation. Remarkably well researched arguments delivered with an incisive personal touch that, at times, made me comment out loud - shocked some innocent bystanders believe me! Naomi Klein absolutely calls out the hypocrisy of our current situation but gives a glaringly obvious solution. A must listen … can’t recommend this title highly enough.

Naomi nails it … again!

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Really thought provoking, loved every aspect and will certainly take some of the critical thinking this book brings out in to everyday life.

Makes you critically think about what’s in the shadow lands

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From a personal and seemingly mundane starting point, Naomi Klein leads us gradually by the hand to explore and tackle the important issues of the day, from populist politics, climate denial, Zionism, race bias, disability discrimination and so much more. Importantly, through the lens of doubling and diagonal politics, it shows us how any one of us can end up forming alliances with camps we once stood against, and the sliding scale between notions of what we think is good and bad, isn't as fixed as we'd like to believe.

Incredible intellectual journey

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As ever Klein's writing is beautiful and razer sharp. so much bigger than the original topic of the 2 Naomi's - helps build a world view in times we're so splintered.

100% read this!

fascinating and clarifying take on the crazy conspiracy world we've found ourselves in

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