Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah is a dystopian fiction novel set in a dystopian American privatized prison industry. The novel's central character is Loretta, a gladiator woman who participates in bloody fights broadcast live on the CAPE (Criminal Action Penal Entertainment) channel. The novel's central themes include racial bigotry, capitalism and romantic relationships in prison.
In the dystopian privatized prison industry, Black prisoners are allowed to sign up for CAPE, a program where they participate in a three-year battle, and if they survive, they win the ultimate prize: freedom. Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah follows Loretta in the CAPE gladiatorial system and pinpoints several incidences that show the discriminatory nature of the American prison system. For instance, the participants in CAPE are Black convicts. Most Black participants in the gladiatorial system are killed in the first months of participation. Therefore, the gladiatorial system is designed to eliminate the hardcore Black convicts through battle deaths. In addition, Black inmates are inhumanely treated in the cells because they are forced to swallow magnates without their will.
The other important topic in the novel is free enterprise. Companies have ganged up to create gladiator games involving inmates in privatized prisons to maximize their profits. Companies sponsor CAPE, a live televised program that shows the battles of gladiators. The program has a huge fan base, which helps the sponsors earn millions of dollars through advertisements. In a capitalistic society, the end justifies means. For instance, the corporate sponsors are not concerned about the massive loss of lives during the gladiatorial fights. The corporate entities' objective is to maximize their profits.
In conclusion, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah shows readers that inmates have sexual feelings and show affection to fellow prisoners. For instance, Loretta and Hamara are lovers. Sometimes, Loretta is pampered by Hamara's affection, which simultaneously exposes her weaknesses during fights. The novel shows various incidences where inmates show affection for each other. However, most of these affections are same-sex relationships.
