American War by Omar El Akkad presents a dystopian vision of a second American Civil War, detailing the radicalization and suffering of Sarat Chestnut, who is shaped by war, displacement, and a desire for vengeance in a fractured United States.
Book Details
Book Title: American War
Author: Omar El Akkad
ISBN: 978-0451493583
Genre: Dystopian Fiction, Political Fiction, Science Fiction
Published Year: 2017
Introduction
American War is a harrowing and thought-provoking novel set in a dystopian, war-torn America in the late 21st century. The book explores the political, social, and personal costs of civil conflict, focusing on the radicalization of Sarat Chestnut, a young girl from the South who becomes ensnared in the violence and chaos of the second American Civil War. Omar El Akkad creates a chillingly plausible future where climate change, socio-political divisions, and government authoritarianism lead to a prolonged war, testing the limits of resilience, morality, and vengeance.
Main Characters
- Sarat Chestnut: The protagonist, whose life is upended by war. Her journey from innocence to a symbol of resistance captures the story's core themes.
- Benjamin Chestnut: Sarat’s nephew, who narrates the story. His perspective provides insight into Sarat's legacy and the impact of her actions on future generations.
- Albert Gaines: A mysterious figure who mentors Sarat in the refugee camp, teaching her about guerrilla warfare and instilling a desire for vengeance.
- Simon Chestnut: Sarat’s brother, who faces the challenges of growing up in a war-torn America with his family.
- Dana Chestnut: Sarat’s older sister, who tries to hold the family together during the conflict.
Plot Summary
The Setting and Context
The novel opens in the year 2074, in an America deeply divided by its second Civil War. After climate change drastically alters the geography of the country, the rising sea levels devastate the coasts, forcing widespread migration and leaving parts of the U.S. uninhabitable. Fossil fuels have been outlawed to combat environmental collapse, but some Southern states refuse to comply, sparking the rebellion known as the "Free Southern State." This fracture leads to a brutal civil war between the North and South, lasting for decades and shaping the lives of everyone involved.
Sarat’s Early Life
Sarat Chestnut is born in 2067 in Louisiana, a Southern state at the center of the conflict. Her family is caught in the hardships and brutalities of war from the start. When she is six years old, her father, seeking a work permit to move North, is killed by a suicide bomber, marking the beginning of the family’s descent into war’s devastation. Sarat, her mother Martina, and her siblings—Dana and Simon—eventually find themselves displaced, forced to live in the squalor and danger of Camp Patience, a refugee camp that becomes a critical backdrop for Sarat’s transformation.
Life in Camp Patience and Meeting Gaines
At Camp Patience, Sarat experiences the deprivations of war firsthand. This environment exposes her to hunger, disease, and violence, deepening her anger and isolation. The camp becomes a crucible where Sarat’s innocence is slowly eroded. Here, she meets Albert Gaines, a former operative for the Southern rebels who sees potential in Sarat. Gaines begins to indoctrinate her, teaching her about the war’s history, survival skills, and, most importantly, how to hate and resist the Northern forces. His influence fundamentally shapes Sarat, shifting her from a survivor to a weapon molded by ideology and hatred.
“They’re going to break you, Sarat. They’re going to crush your heart, piece by piece, until you forget there ever was a South, or a North, or even a country.”
Sarat’s Radicalization and First Kill
Under Gaines’s mentorship, Sarat becomes deeply involved with the Southern cause, taking on increasingly dangerous assignments. Her first act of violence—an assassination within the camp—marks the point of no return. She is forced to reconcile with the realization that the violence within her has become part of her identity. Sarat’s hatred for the North and her commitment to the Southern cause intensifies, setting her on a path of vengeance. Gaines uses Sarat as a tool, and she willingly embraces this role, driven by both her personal grief and her growing commitment to the Free Southern State.
The Chemical Attack and Its Consequences
A pivotal event occurs when Camp Patience is attacked with a biological weapon deployed by the North. The chemical agent, known as “Agent Red,” leaves thousands dead and traumatizes the survivors, including Sarat, who barely escapes. This atrocity deepens her hatred and solidifies her transformation into a weapon of war. The destruction of Camp Patience and the devastation it causes become a focal point of Sarat’s drive for revenge. Scarred physically and emotionally, Sarat’s desire for retaliation becomes all-consuming.
Sarat as an Adult and the Quest for Vengeance
By the time Sarat reaches adulthood, she has become a skilled guerrilla fighter with a lethal reputation. She conducts covert operations and sabotage missions against the North, becoming infamous among both sides. Her brutality and efficiency are notorious, yet her loyalty to the Southern cause and her unyielding hatred toward the North isolate her from everyone else, including her family. The toll of war becomes evident as she drifts further from her siblings, who do not share her zeal for vengeance.
- Isolation from Family: Sarat’s transformation alienates her from her brother Simon, who fears her radicalization, and her sister Dana, who struggles to rebuild her life despite the war.
- The Irony of Vengeance: Sarat’s commitment to revenge blinds her to the toll it takes on her humanity, causing her to question whether her sacrifices are truly justified.
The Ultimate Act of Terror
As the war nears its end, Gaines and others manipulate Sarat into executing one final, horrifying mission—a biological attack on the North using Agent Red, the same chemical weapon that devastated her home. Sarat’s internal conflict surfaces as she realizes the magnitude of her actions. Although she hesitates, the years of trauma, manipulation, and hatred ultimately drive her to follow through with the plan. The attack kills countless people, permanently altering the course of the war and making Sarat both a hero and a villain.
“It was a thing done to her, and then by her. It was the inheritance of her father’s blood, and the love of her mother’s voice, and the sharp knife of vengeance cutting through it all.”
The Aftermath and Legacy
In the story’s epilogue, Benjamin Chestnut, Sarat’s nephew, reflects on his aunt’s legacy. He recounts her life as a cautionary tale—a story of a person consumed by vengeance, molded by the destructive force of war. Benjamin’s narration shows how Sarat’s actions impacted her family and the broader political landscape of the country. He expresses empathy for his aunt’s pain and suffering, but he also grapples with the moral implications of her choices, questioning whether the path of vengeance can ever truly bring peace.
Themes and Analysis
The Cycle of Violence and Revenge: American War underscores the tragic, cyclical nature of vengeance. Sarat’s journey is a testament to how violence breeds more violence, perpetuating endless suffering and destruction.
Radicalization and Identity: The novel paints a vivid portrait of radicalization, showing how war and loss strip Sarat of her innocence and reshape her identity into that of a weapon. Her transformation reflects the vulnerability of individuals to ideological influence when exposed to trauma.
War and Its Human Cost: Through Sarat’s experiences, El Akkad emphasizes the human cost of war—physical, emotional, and psychological damage that affects not just soldiers but also innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
Climate Change and Socio-Political Division: The dystopian setting of American War serves as a cautionary vision of a future where climate change and political division have exacerbated conflicts, illustrating the possible consequences of environmental negligence and ideological extremism.
Notable Quotes
- “It’s not about the land; it’s about the people who live on it, who are changed by it, and who change it in turn.”
- “War takes everything from you, but it gives something back in return—a purpose, a weapon, a fire.”
- “In the end, vengeance is the only thing left of her. It’s the one true constant, the thing they couldn’t take away.”
Conclusion
In American War, Omar El Akkad creates a powerful and haunting narrative that examines the human consequences of war, climate change, and political division. Sarat Chestnut’s life story reveals the dark side of loyalty, the perils of radicalization, and the way trauma transforms individuals. As Sarat’s life unfolds, readers are forced to confront the tragic cost of vengeance and the destructive nature of ideological hatred. El Akkad’s portrayal of a divided America serves as both a cautionary tale and a deeply personal story of resilience, loss, and the devastating allure of revenge.
Final Summary
American War is a profound, dystopian novel that uses the life of Sarat Chestnut to explore themes of radicalization, the cyclical nature of violence, and the human costs of climate-induced warfare. Through a powerful, character-driven narrative, El Akkad presents a vision of the future that resonates deeply with contemporary issues, challenging readers to question the true costs of division and vengeance.