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

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

reading this brilliant book was alarmingly painful and jarring. at some points i had to stop because i would feel nauseous when imagining the pain, suffering and torture. i would recommend this book to everyone - reconsider what it means to believe in the death penalty, in the prison system and in carceral punishment. abolition is cleared presented as the alternate path in this story but the author never makes it seem like a clear cut or simple one. the footnotes ever present in the story telling remind readers that everything fictionalised is also true and we are really just mere steps away from such an atrocity being brought to life. 

this review of the book is the review i recommend:  https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2023/05/chain-gang-all-stars-book-review/674143/
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