Chillingly plausible and deeply moving — a debut that demands to be read.
Set in a future America ravaged by climate change and civil conflict, Omar El Akkad’s debut novel imagines a second Civil War in the late 21st century. At its heart is Sarat Chestnut, a young girl whose life is shaped by violence, displacement, and survival. American War is both a gripping dystopian tale and a haunting reflection on the cycles of war, extremism, and resilience — a novel that holds up a mirror to our present with devastating clarity.
Praised by book clubs and literary circles for its political relevance, climate crisis themes, and gritty realism. Goodreads readers rate it ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (3.8/5 from 40,000+ ratings) — "A dystopian novel that feels frighteningly real."
Perfect for fans of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Cormac McCarthy’s The Road.
