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A review by stardust_heidi
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A few disclaimers to explain my rating. I listened to the audiobook while on a road trip over the course of a few weeks, with several long gaps between listens. I don’t think that helped my overall cohesive understanding of the book and all the different POV interactions. The narrators were excellent but different voices required different volumes, especially while in the car with loud road noises.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. I found it a fascinating critique (excellently scathing) about the US incarceration/prison system, and I think the futuristic Hunger Games-like setting was interesting.
I found, at times, the multiple POVs really difficult to follow. I still don’t really understand the married couple’s purpose in the story, and I can’t figure out if their part had any resolution at the end.
I had to ask someone to explain the ending for me. The ending of the fight scene was kind of confusing, and even though I listened to that last chapter twice, I wasn’t sure who lived or died. Or whatever.
I liked all the footnotes throughout. Those added real context to events throughout.
Overall, an excellent book. But I think a physical read would be easier for me to process. Might pick up a copy.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. I found it a fascinating critique (excellently scathing) about the US incarceration/prison system, and I think the futuristic Hunger Games-like setting was interesting.
I found, at times, the multiple POVs really difficult to follow. I still don’t really understand the married couple’s purpose in the story, and I can’t figure out if their part had any resolution at the end.
I had to ask someone to explain the ending for me. The ending of the fight scene was kind of confusing, and even though I listened to that last chapter twice, I wasn’t sure who lived or died. Or whatever.
I liked all the footnotes throughout. Those added real context to events throughout.
Overall, an excellent book. But I think a physical read would be easier for me to process. Might pick up a copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail