Sean Penn to Publish His First Novel, Tackles Trump and the #MeToo Movement

Actor, filmmaker, and political activist, Sean Penn has written a novel which is set to be published later this year in April. As BookRiot reports, the book is called ‘Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff’ and is an expansion of an audiobook Penn penned and narrated in 2016 under the pseudonym name ‘Pappy Pariah.’

The novel tells the story of Bob Honey, a middle-aged man with all sorts of mysterious business connections, including being a part-time assassin for a shady part of the government. After a reporter begins to get too close, Bob decides he wants out and does his best to begin a new life, though that’s easier said than done.

The character of Bob Honey may be fictional but the book is clearly influenced by Penn’s own life. Honey at one point writes an email to the U.S. President, who’s election campaign includes Russian interference and a women’s march and is referred to as ‘Mr. Landlord,’ and calls for not just his impeachment, but also his assassination.

The book references other social issues such as a “yellow lives matter” march at a Republic National Convention and an interview that takes place between Honey and a drug lord that is very similar to Penn’s own meeting with Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. The novel also touches on the #MeToo movement and calls it “a platform for accusation impunity” and ponders if due process has “lost its sheen.”

As an actor, Penn has enjoyed a celebrated career and has won two Oscars for his roles in Mystic River and Milk. He also directed the critically acclaimed film Into the Wild which was nominated for two Oscars. Penn has also been an outspoken political activist and has been vocal regarding his criticisms of the Bush administration, President Trump, defense of Hugo Chavez, and his support of same-sex marriage.

Penn has also faced his fair share of controversy. During his marriage to Madonna, rumours circulated stating that he had been physically violent towards her. Penn was also charged with assault in 1987 for striking two photographers whilst shooting a film in Nashville. In 2010 he was charged with battery against a member of the paparazzi in California. Time will tell what critics think of Penn’s first novel.