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A review by alex_ellermann
American War by Omar El Akkad
3.0
"American War" tells the story of one Mississippi family, the Chestnuts, as they try to live through America's second civil war. Set in 2074, "American War" gives us a vision of a world disrupted by rising temperatures, rising sea levels, and rising incidents of severe storms. These disruptions, and America's reactions to them, give rise to an internal conflict bearing strong similarities both to our actual Civil War and to our "forever wars" in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In fact, I suggest that Chestnuts' journey is actually an allegory for different aspects of life in contemporary war-torn nations. From life in a long-term refugee camp to recruitment into various militias or radicalized factions; from the constant threat of "death from above" to the character-twisting effects of long-term torture, isolation, and waterboarding, "American War" isn't just the story of a speculative American war against itself at some time in the future. "American War" is the story of the effects of "forever wars" all over the globe.
So, hey, thought-provoking stuff. Why only three stars? Because "American War" is so unrelentingly depressing that I forced myself to push through it. I read the paper every day: I already get all the depression I need. Still, if my description at all sparked your interest, I think you'll find "American War" to be worth your time.
In fact, I suggest that Chestnuts' journey is actually an allegory for different aspects of life in contemporary war-torn nations. From life in a long-term refugee camp to recruitment into various militias or radicalized factions; from the constant threat of "death from above" to the character-twisting effects of long-term torture, isolation, and waterboarding, "American War" isn't just the story of a speculative American war against itself at some time in the future. "American War" is the story of the effects of "forever wars" all over the globe.
So, hey, thought-provoking stuff. Why only three stars? Because "American War" is so unrelentingly depressing that I forced myself to push through it. I read the paper every day: I already get all the depression I need. Still, if my description at all sparked your interest, I think you'll find "American War" to be worth your time.