The Castle: Adventures in a World of Unraveling Men by Ronson, Jon

From the bestselling author of The Psychopath Test and So You've Been Publicly Shamed comes a darkly comic trip to the furthest reaches of the masculinity crisis

His only child is lured to a mysterious castle in the forests of New England late one night, sending Jon Ronson on an extraordinary adventure into a dark world of unmoored men desperately searching for purpose and control--whatever the cost.

With zero warning, the crisis of masculinity and its bizarre, wrecking-ball manifestations had crashed into Jon's life. As his investigation deepens, urgent questions come to light: What exactly is "Princessing"? Why did a lawn care influencer dress as a baby in front of billions of online viewers? How did a paid-up member of the Skeptic Society derail his life in the name of a warped vision of chivalry? And, more pressingly, why are two recently released murderers on their way to pay Jon a visit?

In our rapidly changing society, many men have become detached from reality; some are behaving like separatists, while others have fallen deep down ideological rabbit holes. Is this a complete fracturing of society, a new era of disinhibition where anything goes?

Drawing on his trademark brand of humor, psychological insight, and unrivaled prescience, The Castle marks Jon Ronson's long-awaited return to the written page in his darkest and most insightful book yet--one where he throws open the doors to the Castle and reveals a new lost generation of men.

Author: Jon Ronson
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Published: 09/01/2026
Pages: 336
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.95lbs
Size: 8.20h x 5.80w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9781594634208

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 06/22/2026
Library Journal 08/01/2026 pg. 92
Booklist 08/01/2026
Kirkus Reviews 08/15/2026

About the Author
Jon Ronson is an internationally bestselling author, journalist, and filmmaker whose books have been translated into over thirty languages. His nonfiction titles include So You've Been Publicly Shamed, The Psychopath Test, and Them: Adventures with Extremists. Two of his books, The Men Who Stare at Goats and Frank, have been adapted into feature-length films, and his Ted talks have amassed over 30 million views. Ronson is also the host and producer of multiple radio programs and chart-topping podcasts. He is regular contributor to This American Life and lives in New York.