American War

A Novel

De: Omar El Akkad

Narrado por: Dion Graham

An audacious and powerful debut novel: a second American Civil War, a devastating plague, and one family caught deep in the middle - a story that asks what might happen if America were to turn its most devastating policies and deadly weapons upon itself.

Sarat Chestnut, born in Louisiana, is only six when the Second American Civil War breaks out in 2074. But even she knows that oil is outlawed, that Louisiana is half underwater, that unmanned drones fill the sky. And when her father is killed and her family is forced into Camp Patience for displaced persons, she quickly begins to be shaped by her particular time and place until, finally, through the influence of a mysterious functionary, she is turned into a deadly instrument of war. Telling her story is her nephew, Benjamin Chestnut, born during the war - part of the Miraculous Generation - and now an old man confronting the dark secret of his past, his family's role in the conflict and, in particular, that of his aunt, a woman who saved his life while destroying untold others.

©2017 Omar El Akkad (P)2017 Random House Audio

Couldn't stop listening

Beautifully narrated, frighteningly plausible story. A true gem of a book - and though the themes are certainly adult and quite dark, the characters are of the complex and likeable sort that provide moments of sweetness.

Riveting

i read several reviews before i decided to purchase the book to listen . El Akkaf tells the story of the Second American Civil War. Sarat Chesnut recalls Katniss Everdeen as she is fearless in defending her family and stopping at nothing to destroy her enemies. El.Akkar's experience as a war gives unique power to story, especially the harrowing time at the Sugar Loaf prison. Memorable and compelling.

A Phenomenal Look into the Future Through The Past

This was a phenomenal book. It was also beautifully read, unlike many books we’ve listened to on Audible. The writer captures a romanticism and sorrow that can be felt in the south now. It provides an all too real snapshot of the grip of poverty and displacement. How wage disparity, capitalism and the pursuit of finite resources weaves itself the lives of others, leaving deep scars as it drags them behind. It also reminds us of how displacement and poverty can be exploited, turned against those that suffer the most from it, and used to drive them against their own best interests. A captivating, fantastically written piece of art. Would highly recommend. We couldn’t stop listening.

We all fight in the american war

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I was expecting a book centered on late 21st century America, struggling through climate change and plagues and a 2nd civil war. But this book really focuses more on terrorism. The world was very interesting, but the author could have definitely fleshed it out for us a little bit. We follow Sarat and how she gets through leaving her house and growing up in Camp Patience (basically a tent city/refugee camp) as a child. And then we follow her life story after Camp Patience and how she maneuvers this American War.

Which scene was your favorite?

The book drags at times. I liked a lot of the scenes at Camp Patience because we get to see people intermingling and what life might be like during wartime in America. It was very easy to visualize.

Was American War worth the listening time?

I can see why this book is important and interesting to critics, but I never got a huge payoff; seems like I was always waiting for it to "get good." This felt like a chore at times. I'm glad I listened to the book but I will file it with No Thanks, Not For Me.

Any additional comments?

Sarat, the main character, was very unlikable. I also didnt get why her family was so important!

Unoriginal

Hard to stay interested in yet another retelling of the "grieving rebel" story. It was quite dull at points, speckled with obnoxious segues to black pride and feminism that the author clearly feels strongly about. The narration was top notch and I liked ecological elements that were obviously well researched.

fantastic. political but apolitical.

could appeal to people on both sides of the spectrum. a rare political book that also doesn't take sides. brutal in its honesty, and yet still very human. will make you think. not a feel good book. but a masterful work of fiction that feels all too real.

An interesting meditation on hatred and revenge

This is not an easy book to read. It's more like fantasy than science fiction.

A very thought-provoking book

Highly recommend this book. It’s written from an unusual perspective. Left me with a lot to think about.

Dark, slow but immensely memorable

Slow moving plot but great character development. Dark story but totally memorable and well written

Amazing book

What an amazing book and story telling. A must listen to anyone interested in learning different perspectives of war.