Liberty Awash: Rudi Wu's Adventure with Libertarian Seasteading and Recovery

In June 2025, college graduate Rudi Wu shows up for her first gig as the Analyticist for the floating city named Liberstead. She meets Lancelott Cole, the dark skinned Captain who speaks with a fake Jamaican accent, Elma Lanton, the right-wing former-governor of Oregon, BillyBub, the lottery winner with three Latino wives, Colt, a militiaman and history professor from Montana, and Thena, a tall blond large-breasted transgender woman.
A self-described numbers geek, Rudi is challenged by the libertarian philosophy of the city. She dislikes the open display of guns, bare chested militiamen, and the open use of marijuana. She resolves to complete her report quickly so she can return to the US.
Bruns deftly combines near-future technology with a satire of daily life in a city full of politics. Rudi’s computer is worn as an earring. In the future, video LED displays are now the entire wall, called ledwalls. Everything the city needs is 3-D printed, including many of the housing units which are created using 3-story tall printer located in the hold of a bulk carrier ship called the RobotoMaru.
The libertarian philosophy is conveyed as a dissonant chorus. The Ten Twemes form a governing philosophy. Rather dubious LiberShares function as the court system. Liberstead does not have democratic rule and manages to drift successfully despite not being able to take a vote. As with real libertarians, several fictional residents exclaim that other residents are not libertarians, but they all seem to get along, sometimes.
In a community where daily drug use is legal and common, Bruns features the perils of addiction and mechanisms of recovery. Thena, Mary, Victim and Honey represent the 12-step solution, while others convey alternate systems conveyed as “they are libertarian addicts, they do what they want.” One character makes the observation that AA, with millions of members, no dues or fees, a voluntary governing structure and the motto “Live and let live” may be a paradigm of libertarianism. Another character disagrees, stating that pure libertarianism has never been tried.
Rudi plays a game called Wumpidditch, which is played in a 4-Dimensional virtual gamespace. The 4-Dimension theme recurs as a metaphor for the city, for Recovery, for the inadequacy of the 2-Dimensional political parties to handle problems and as the fourth wave of human achievement. Tucked under the humor are some very real messages about social maturity, good governance, and acceptance of human foibles.
Satire, technology, political commentary and colorful characters make for luscious drawings. Ryan Incandenza has contributed 40 drawings in the book; one for each chapter, plus four flags for the different neighborhoods. The images are compelling, warm, and humorous. The iconography is hysterical. From Liberty the Redeemer, to the motto “Vidi, Veni, 420” found on the Tocqueville flag, to the rowboat scene in the Second Battle of Tocqueville. In the kindle version, each image can be tapped and opened so you can enjoy the full detail.
This is the first book of a series. Bruns indicates that Rudi’s adventures will continue in a sequel.

Reader Reviews

Absolutely Brilliant I haven't laughed so hard in ages. Your character development is brilliant and your political philosophy witting and engaging. - Madeleine F.
This book is a triumph! The attention to detail is stunning. The description is flawless. This book is amazing and has the potential to be a smash! I just loved it! - Sally R.
Liberty Awash forms a human story, a wonderful satire, and never takes itself too seriously. Writing a book about one political party and not being preachy is quite difficult, but this novel accomplishes it with ease and subtlety. – Travis P.