“American War” – imaginative & terrifying

American War: A novel is imaginative and terrifying.

Set from 2075 – 2175, the former “United States” is separated into the “Red” southern states and the “Blue” northern states. They separated over fossil fuels – the reds wanted to keep using, and the blues did not. But now, so much more separates them as they fight a violent civil war.

Also in this new world — a map is included at the front of the book — Florida is completely gone (it fell into the ocean) as is much of Louisiana. South Carolina is completely quarantined for a disease.  Scared yet? Recent events (both political and environmental) make this an even more disturbing read.

Told from the perspective of a southerner forced into a refugee camp who is then recruited by rebel fighters, this book is still churning around in my thoughts.

It is well written, dystopian fiction, though some of it is too believable to be considered dystopian at this point. The details imagined by the author are only unbelievable in their specificity. Another disturbing timeless theme is how far people may go for revenge.

This book which was on my summer reading list is not for everyone but if you think you can handle it I do recommend it.

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