Chain Gang All Stars: National Book Award Finalist By Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Chain-Gang All-Stars delves into a dystopian prison system, exposing the intersection of racism, capitalism, and mass incarceration. The novel unfolds through the eyes of gladiators, protesters, and corporate owners in a chilling exploration of the meaning of freedom. The characters, led by Loretta Thurwar and Hamara “Hurricane Staxxx” Stacker, navigate the deadly competitions of CAPE, a profit-driven program in private prisons.

Thurwar, on the brink of freedom, grapples with the morality of the games and aims to preserve humanity among the Links. The narrative expands beyond the arena, capturing the perspectives of protestors and CAPE employees. As the characters collide, Chain-Gang All-Stars presents a vivid and incisive commentary on the American prison system, exposing its alliance with systemic racism and unchecked capitalism.

Adjei-Brenyah's debut novel, likened to Orwell’s 1984 and Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, offers an illuminating vision that challenges our understanding of societal structures.

The book has garnered acclaim, earning a spot on The New York Times and Washington Post's best books of the year lists. A finalist for the National Book Award in Fiction and a Read with Jenna Book Club pick, it stands as a powerful exploration of freedom and its complex, often distorted, meaning within the context of the American penal system. 📚❤️