megangafvert 's review for:

American by Day by Derek B. Miller

5.0

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Definitely didn’t expect that a crime novel by a Norwegian national would provide one of the most succinct and timely analyses of American values and culture that I have ever read. Miller’s writing seamlessly combines dry wit and flawless character development with intricate political and social theory conversations in a way I’ve never seen before in a novel. Deals with race, police violence, gun proliferation, systemic shortcomings, gender, and more in contrast to the corresponding ideas in Norway and Scandinavian culture. I’m shocked that this novel was not more popular in the mainstream literary world, but am so grateful for the bookseller whose shelf talker caught my eye.