A Real Collusion by Stu Strumwasser is a bold and politically charged novel, blending conspiracy, satire, and civic drama into a cautionary tale about the fragility of American democracy.
The book examines a secret alliance between the Republican and Democratic parties. This illegal duopoly is operating behind closed doors to consolidate power and maintain control of the U.S. government. The real threat to democracy is internal corruption, and it is cultivated domestically and sustained by bipartisan self-interest. Strumwasser crafts the story of an ordinary man who stumbles into extraordinary circumstances and becomes the unlikely face of a grassroots rebellion.
The novel is narrated by Skip Winters, a friend and confidant of the protagonist, John Campbell. John is just a regular resident of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. John’s life is turned around forever when he disrupts a political committee meeting with a blunt declaration: “I object to you, to this committee, to this whole process.” What begins as a spontaneous outburst evolves into a movement. Initially attending what seems to be a local referendum on cigars, John inadvertently ignites public frustration with a broken political system. This was perceived by a journalist as a symbolic referendum on bipartisanship. Encouraged to run for City Council and later forming an exploratory committee for the 2013 mayoral race, John becomes the reluctant leader of The American Coalition, a rapidly growing independent movement. The Coalition threatens to expose a conspiracy with implications for the 2016 election. John becomes the medium for a message of reform, and the masses respond, demonstrating how a leader can be created when truth resonates widely enough.
Strumwasser examines issues such as economic inequality, political collusion, and the decline of the middle class. He points out that over twenty years, the richest Americans grew their share of the nation’s wealth from about twenty percent to nearly thirty percent, mostly at the cost of regular people. The novel warns about the risks of complacency and the problems that come with too much power in too few hands. The Democratic and Republican parties are shown as partners in a closed system, and not true opponents. Through John’s reluctant change and Skip’s journey from campaign manager to congressman, Strumwasser explores integrity, ambition, loyalty, and the price of standing up to those in power. John's message is clear: democracy needs citizens to stay alert, demand transparency, and take part actively.
Strumwasser's writing is urgent, and the pacing accelerates as John’s movement gains momentum. It mirrors the rapid rise of real-world political insurgencies. The narrative voice is wry, observant, and occasionally lined with satire. It keeps the story grounded even as events escalate into high-stakes political drama. Though the novel is concept-driven rather than character-driven at times, the authenticity of John’s everyman persona and Skip’s reflective narration lend credibility to an otherwise sweeping political conspiracy. The power of the work is in its ideas and its provocative “what if” premise.
Quill says: A Real Collusion is an ambitious and timely political thriller that challenges readers to reconsider the structure of American governance.
For more information about A Real Collusion, please visit the author's website at: arealcollusion.com/
