A review by philip_bonanno
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

4.0

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. Clearly has a lot of literary merit and is beautifully written. I think it feels as though the politics are so spoon fed it feels a little unrewarding. Sure, there are points where the literariness makes the point, but it’s often just made by the narrator instead or in a footnote. Like there’s not a lot of room for interpretation. I don’t think that makes it a bad book. Just at times not a very interesting book. I really enjoy the elements of the book that are less obvious (though there are points where they become obvious) such as LGBTQ integrations with abolition, mental health’s relationship to carceral systems and the aesthetic choices the represent that, as well as the spirituals. Idk though, I find myself unconvinced of a lot of the acclaim this book received.