58 pages 1 hour read

Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Chain Gang All Stars

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah is a dystopian novel set in an alternate near-future United States where people incarcerated for severe crimes can choose to compete in televised death matches for a chance at freedom after three years. The narrative shifts among various perspectives, highlighting the systemic violence within the penal system, entertainment sports, and capitalism while exploring themes of redemption, love, and self-forgiveness. The book contains graphic violence, murder, systemic racism, sexual assault, and suicide.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah is widely praised for its bold narrative and thought-provoking critique of the prison system. Reviewers commend its imaginative world-building and emotional depth. However, some find the violence excessive and the pacing uneven at times. Overall, it’s a compelling yet challenging read that resonates strongly with social justice themes.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Chain Gang All Stars?

Readers who appreciate dystopian narratives and social commentary will enjoy Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. Ideal for fans of The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, this novel critiques themes of systemic oppression and survival.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Satire

Topics

LGBTQ

Black Lives Matter

Business / Economics

Themes

Values/Ideas: Win & Lose

Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice