Epic novel about the Second American Civil War

Throughout the entire time reading this, all I could think of is the fact that this would look amazing as a TV series. This dystopian novel explores how the north and south of the United States are divided in the latter half of the 21st century after fossil fuels are banned due to extreme flooding in Florida.

It is written in the perspective of a dying historian in the 22nd century, attempting to recollect the role of his aunt, who essentially was leading the insurgency against the north. She was as much a victim as aggressor in this novel, being groomed as a child soldier and being tortured in prison as a young adult. In the background, a rising Pan-Arab empire helps stoke the fires in the US.

It is slow but relentless, and rather fitting for what is currently happening all over the world. A fascinating read indeed.

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2 people found this helpful

A 'Palestinised' US South after a second civil war

Worked for me both as a dystopian story a la 'The Road' and as a superbly crafted 'inversion' narrative- what if the oppressed, controlled, marginalised were 'us'?

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A bizarre tale that attempts too much

The idea that a civil war in the Usa could happen after a global climate change catastrophe later in the 21st century is a smart one. This time the premise of the war. The south wishes to continue using fossil fuels the north has banned them. But the story runs too close to the original 1860s civil war and it veers into at times an evil generational tale involving refugees, militia, plague, torture...its just too ambitious to work properly. I'm also a bit perplexed as to the moral of the tale? It has its moments though.

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A great tale of a bitterly divided nation

Powerful writing. Recommend it.
Perhaps my only criticism is that Coasts vs Heartlands would have been more realistic than North / South in these days of MAGA. So the reliance on reusing the real American Civil Wars dividing felt a little lazy and made the tale feel less realistic - maybe if there was a little more background wrt. environmental issues and southern oil use. But it is a minor flaw.

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Excellent, harrowing and extraordinary

A profound book about the effects of being displaced by war, and its brutalising effects on civilians.

It’s set in late 21st century America, but is in fact a light being shone on the brutalising lives being led in today’s war zones.

Don’t let this put you off, it is also gripping. I could not wait to get back to it any moment I had.

Terrifically written, with bravura scenes. Great narration.

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Every One NEEDS to Experience This

I think I heard about this book on te 1A podcast during an interview of the author (I could be mistaken). The book sounded interesting and so i pre-ordered the audio book.
I cannot tell you how much this book affected me and how sad I am that there isn't more. It brings closer to reality the ramifications of our actions as a country, from denial of climate change and refusing to change to reusable resources, to prejudices that are developed as the result of a divided country, to how extremism is born.
I would be surprised if this book isn't picked up by English departments to be read and analysed in the same way that Lord of the Flies and Animal Farm are.
I repeat--everyone needs to experience this book.

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5 people found this helpful

Thought provoking

This book deserves consideration as one of the best contemporary looks at America’s place in the world and how it can be viewed from the point of view of those it helps

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Close attention required

This is an interesting tale of a future dystopia, told in a fragmented style that requires attention to follow; it cannot play in the background. The scenario is one of a civil war, set in a United States of the late 21st century greatly affected by climate change. It has a few issues; there is too much reliance on events & attitudes of the 1860s being moved forward over 200 years; character motivations are occasionally too cliched and some non-sequiturs in the narrative are jarring.

Still, the performance is very good and I had no problem staying with the story to the end.

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2 people found this helpful

so bad

terrible waste of time and money, the plot is rubbish, the characters are dull and two dimensional, situations implausible, anticipation is irrealistic

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Reminds me of crime and punishment

It felt bitty. Fragments of this and that strand - some seemed to reflect Palestinian refugee camps and life therein. Some bits seemed unlikely and laboured. It was a struggle to complete the novel and I am not sure I would recommend it.

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