Last Updated on October 11, 2026
Resident Lon Chesnutt will review Culpability: A Novel by Bruce Holsinger [New York: Spiegel & Grau, 2025], on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 7 PM in the Auditorium. This is his review for the October 2026 issue of The Sunburst.
October’s Book Review selection, Culpability, is the story of a family dealing with the aftermath of a fatal automobile accident. The five Cassidy-Shaws, all of whom survive the crash, are the ensemble cast of protagonists. The novel delivers a full array of the satisfactions of good fiction: first love, professional jealousy, legal jeopardy, and rewarding character studies, as each family member copes with life after the crash. And for those who enjoy books set in familiar territory, Culpability is set right here in Maryland. But in the end, this book confronts one of today’s most pointed challenges: the rise of artificial intelligence.
What’s the connection between a fatal auto accident and AI? In light of the book’s title, you’re probably already connecting the dots. Beyond taking us on the family’s journey of reckoning and recovery, Culpability explores the many ways AI is galloping into our lives right now. Oprah Winfrey was so riveted as she finished the book that she called the author in the middle of the night seeking his approval to feature Culpability as a Book Club selection.
Author Bruce Holsinger teaches literature and writing at the University of Virginia and is the author of four previous books, including historical thrillers and contemporary dramas.
Lon Chesnutt is a retired United Methodist pastor. He served in ministry for over 40 years, including pastoring five churches in the Washington area. He offers a popular ELLIC course in progressive Christianity. Lon and his wife, Evelyn, have been Charlestown residents since 2005. Lon is a frequent contributor to the Book Review.