58 pages • 1 hour read
Chain Gang All Stars
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Book Brief
367
Novel • Fiction
Unknown • Near Future
2023
Adult
18+ years
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.
Dark
Gritty
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
62,482 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
62,482 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
367
Novel • Fiction
Unknown • Near Future
2023
Adult
18+ years
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