A New America - by Aaron Morell (Paperback)
About this item
Highlights
- "A deep-thinking, thought-provoking novel.
- Author(s): Aaron Morell
- 306 Pages
- Fiction + Literature Genres, Literary
Description
About the Book
In this fictional contemporary travelogue, journalist Roman Wolfe ventures into the heart of Independence, a nation formed after widespread secession movements rattled North America.
Book Synopsis
"A deep-thinking, thought-provoking novel." - Independent Book Review
"Morell's alternate history feels dense with realistic detail. ... a fascinating thought experiment exploring notions of self-determination and freedom." - Kirkus Reviews
"Perhaps now is the best time for Aaron Morell's book to appear ... in the midst of national turmoil that impacts personal relationships as much as politics with questions of control, power, and law." - D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review
"Morell masterfully delivers a frighteningly plausible dystopian tale." - Booklife Reviews
"Thought-provoking and deeply relevant, this novel is a compelling exploration of the fragile balance between power, perception, and the human spirit."
- International Book Review
In this fictional travelogue, journalist Roman Wolfe ventures into the heart of Independence, a nation formed after widespread secession movements scorched North America. As Roman navigates the rural plains and insular communities of this fledgling country, he witnesses the struggles, aspirations, and contradictions of a people grappling with its identity. Independence teeters between resilience and collapse, where the promise of self-determination clashes with the weight of fractured loyalties and an uncertain future.
Independence is a country of stark contrasts: fiercely self-reliant yet struggling under scarcity, united by purpose yet divided by mistrust. Roman's journey takes him through desolate farmlands and fiery political gatherings. He observes the lives of those who thrive, falter, and fight in this young nation. His observations reveal a place where resources are stretched thin and alliances fragile.
Roman's mission takes an unexpected and deeply personal turn when he reconnects with Kat Taylor, an inexperienced, albeit resourceful, veterinarian whose steely resolve belies the emotional scars of a life shaped by sacrifice. Their reunion stirs old emotions and raises questions about trust, connection, and how to build a future amid the country's inescapable austerity.
Political tensions reach a breaking point as power players prepare to seize their moment. Roman finds himself caught between his role as a chronicler of history and his stake in its unfolding. The novel becomes both an intimate portrait of two people grappling with their shared history and a sweeping examination of a country searching for its identity.
This novel captures the triumphs and tragedies of those navigating life in an uncertain world. Morell's masterful prose shines a light on the fragility of relationships, the resilience of communities, and the enduring question of what it means to be free. Evocative and timely, A New America is an exploration of desire, desperation, and the delicate threads that bind us together.
Review Quotes
"A gripping story that depicts a fictional, fragmented U.S. and the temptation of revolution....Something that is evidently clear from the initial pages is that this novel functions as a part exposé, part story. And it captivated me. Embedded between anecdotes of troubled farmers and disjointed families lies Roman's thoughts throughout a personal journey. He offers a reasonable voice that cuts through the more reactionary beliefs that Independence was succumbing to. His voice has a ruminative coating, often thinking about the human instinct behind actions. Why were the people of Independence so afraid of the boogeyman they created? Roman offers the reader a lot of thoughtful discussion regarding this question."
--Independent Book Review
"Perhaps now is the best time for Aaron Morell's book to appear ... in the midst of national turmoil that impacts personal relationships as much as politics with questions of control, power, and law. [His] ability to step into a milieu fraught with struggles that seep outside the new state's borders into the greater world at large, affecting reporting focuses and altering perceptions of what constitutes a fact, gives the story a powerful atmosphere that makes it hard to put down.
--D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
"Morell successfully builds an expansive and immersive world out of a "what if" scenario. ... [His] alternate history feels dense with realistic detail. Independence becomes a strange microcosm of the real world, with debates about immigration and government overreach. It's a fascinating thought experiment exploring notions of self-determination and freedom."
--Kirkus Reviews
"Debut author Morell masterfully delivers a frighteningly plausible dystopian tale in which much of Kansas and swathes of other states in the region secedes from the Union and declares itself a new country called Independence. ... [His] storytelling demonstrates, with skill and persuasive power, the possible results of irresponsible and reckless speech about secession or civil war. He explores these outcomes with a sharp reportorial eye while avoiding a preachy tone. Instead, he suggests such conclusions rather than stating them outright. A cautionary tale about the extreme outcomes of the worst angels of our national character, this thoughtful work will stay with readers well after the final page is turned."
--BookLife Reviews