The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey

The Monkey Wrench Gang is a novel by Edward Abbey, first published in 1975. It is a darkly comedic and adventurous story set in the American Southwest, exploring themes of environmentalism, civil disobedience, and anti-authoritarianism. The novel follows a group of eccentric individuals who come together to sabotage projects they view as destructive to nature, particularly the construction of dams, roads, and other developments that threaten the wilderness.

The central characters are:

1. George Hayduke: A former Green Beret and Vietnam War veteran, who is tough, violent, and full of rage against environmental destruction.

2. Seldom Seen Smith: A river guide who is passionate about preserving the natural beauty of the desert and its rivers.

3. Bonnie Abbzug: A feisty and strong-willed woman who is determined to fight against industrialization.

4. Doc Sarvis: A doctor who is disillusioned with society and joins the group as part of his own search for meaning and adventure.

   
   

The plot revolves around their efforts to disrupt the destruction of the environment by carrying out acts of eco-sabotage, such as blowing up bulldozers, dynamiting bridges, and sabotaging machinery. Their actions are portrayed with a sense of humor and a touch of absurdity, but they also serve as a critique of the corporate and government interests that exploit nature for profit.

The novel is a mix of adventure, philosophical musings on human nature and the environment, and social commentary. Through their wild and often comical exploits, the characters embody a radical form of environmental activism, and their actions raise questions about the limits of lawful protest and the lengths one might go to in defense of nature.

At its core, The Monkey Wrench Gang is a call to arms for environmentalists, urging readers to recognize the importance of protecting the wilderness, even if that means breaking the law in the process. It combines humor, action, and philosophical reflections, making it a cult classic among environmental and anarchist circles.

Reading The Monkey Wrench Gang following Grizzly Years was an unexpected and interesting choice. First, Edward Abbey and Doug Peacock were close friends in real life, and so the main character in Monkey Wrench was inspired by Doug. Second, we rarely read works of fiction, yet this environmental classic was an exciting one to include in the mix.

Members of the club had mixed feelings about the audiobook, some finding it engaging while others disliked the speaker. This fictional piece was also oftentimes repetitive, as both the sabotage didn't change much throughout the book nor the lack of consequences of their actions. Overall, this book was excellent for opening dialogue about environmentalism and how to make a difference in the world (or try to). Our questions for this book centered around activism, much like our discussion with Ministry for the Future:

When is sabotage justified? Does environmental protest work to advance the agenda? Was it effective in the case of our protagonists in the book? Can sabotage solve issues or does it create more problems? Would this be successfully done today? How does environmental activism look today, and what can we do to help the planet? Or, does none of it matter at all?

Group mean rating: 6.2/10