Novel 'Kill Dick' Satirizes Art World and Sackler Family Legacy

Luke Goebel's novel 'Kill Dick' offers a satirical critique of the contemporary art scene and its connections to the Sackler family, known for their pharmaceutical company's role in the opioid crisis. The book features fictionalized versions of the Sacklers, represented by the character Dick Sickler, and explores themes of wealth, addiction, and performative activism. The narrative follows protagonist Susie, daughter of Dick Sickler's lawyer, who becomes addicted to OxyContin while grappling with her father's moral compromises. Set against the backdrop of 2016 America, the story moves between New York and Los Angeles, incorporating real art world figures like Jill Mulleady and Tala Madani. The novel examines how characters use art projects and political gestures as substitutes for meaningful action, with Susie creating an installation on Skid Row that references Sackler sponsorship. While the book critiques art world hypocrisy, it has been noted for omitting the successful activism of photographer Nan Goldin and her group P.A.I.N., which pressured institutions to remove the Sackler name. The review describes the novel's style as intentionally chaotic and edgy, mirroring its characters' emotional states, and positions it within the tradition of art world satire that questions symbolic gestures versus substantive change.