A review by notesurfer
American War by Omar El Akkad

dark reflective sad slow-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? Yes

3.0

American War starts out like historical fiction but gradually morphs into the diary of a radicalized youth. The future Akkad describes is eerily believable, and the protagonist is the perfect guide through a messy, complicated war. At times the prose is a bit overwrought or the narration overly didactic, which dulls the impact of an otherwise dramatic, heart-wrenching story. For a book that is crammed with politics and war it really has little to say on either subject. It never fully commits to character introspection or plot pacing, which diminishes the strength of each. But it's rare to read a story from the perspective of a violent radical; even more so to feel such tenderness in the depiction. It's a really unique book, which makes it a worthwhile read despite some technical shortcomings.