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UnderratedReads is devoted to discovering underrated books and under-represented authors. We highlight hidden gems from around the world–honest reviews only, never pay-to-play.
Category Archives: Political fiction
Great Again – Bill Day
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Ex-Marine Jack O’Mally is divorced and estranged from his adult daughter. He just can’t accept that she is married to a black musician and living in California. Jack is captain of his New Jersey neighborhood watch, … Continue reading
Posted in Immigration, Political fiction, World Issues
Tagged El Salvador, immigrants, racism, undocumented, Xenophobia
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The Book Censor’s Library – Bothayna Al-Essa , translated from the Arabic by Ranya Abdelrahman and Sawad Hussain
(Reviewed by JD Jung) This cautionary tale takes place “sometime in the future, in a place that would be pointless to name, since it resembles every other place.” All I know is that it is at a time … Continue reading
Posted in Middle Eastern Literature, Political fiction, Sci-Fi/Speculative/Fantasy/Mythology, Social Justice
Tagged censorship, freedom, liberty, library, Social satire
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The Last Election – Andrew Yang, Stephen Marche
(reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “Democracy is on the way out. Who will control the aftermath?” This political thriller serves as a cautionary tale that takes place in the very near future, possibly as early as 2024. What would happen … Continue reading
Posted in Political fiction
Tagged American politics, deception, democracy, elections, media, scandal
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Dangerous Conjectures – Brian Finney
(reviewed by JD Jung) “She couldn’t decide which was deteriorating faster—her life or the country. They were all in the hands of a president who was spreading misinformation as fast as the virus was spreading infection across the world.” “Even … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction, Political fiction, Romance
Tagged adultery, COVID-19, disinformation, drug addiction, emotion, facts, family, misinformation, QAnon, San Francisco
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My Part of Her – Javad Djavahery, Preface by Dina Nayeri, Translated by Emma Ramadan
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “For what reason did the people take to the streets to demand the Shah’s departure? I assure you that if we asked the question today, the majority of Iranians wouldn’t know how to respond. For liberty? … Continue reading
Posted in Historical Fiction, Middle Eastern Literature, Political fiction, World Literature
Tagged Iran, Islamic revolution, Tudeh party
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Root and Branch – Preston Fleming
(Reviewed by Jeyran Main) Root and Branch is a political thriller written about Rogers Zorn, who is a security contractor. He learns that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been using his companies’ discoveries in order to achieve … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Political fiction
Tagged political thriller
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A Matter of Conscience – James Bartleman
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “…Canadians in general are more prepared to help the poor of the Third World than the First Peoples in their own country.” James Bartleman, retired Ontario lieutenant governor and member of the Chippewas of Rama First … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Historical Fiction, Political fiction, Social Justice
Tagged Canada, Indigenous peoples, Ontario, sociology
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Poso Wells- Gabriela Alemán (Translated from the Spanish by Dick Cluster)
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Something crouches in the streets of Poso Wells, and it attaches the nerves like a persistent drumbeat. Whatever it is haunts the dreams of the residents, panting I their faces, slobbering them with noxious saliva and … Continue reading
Posted in Dark/Sordid/Bizarre, Latin American Literature, Political fiction, World Issues, World Literature
Tagged corruption, Crime, cults, Ecuador, noir, politics
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Absinthe: A Thriller – Guido Eekhaut
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “His methods are unconventional at best and border on illegal at times. And his opinion of women, well, I won’t go into that topic.” This is what AIVD Chief inspector Alexandra Dewaal has to deal with … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Political fiction, World Issues, World Literature
Tagged Crime, European fiction, Netherlands, politics, Russia
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Havana Libre – Robert Arellano
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “…now that doctors are malnourished malcontents while dropouts driving tourist taxis are relative millionaires.” Twenty -eight year old Dr. Manolo Rodriguez, a pediatrician for the national medical service in Havana, Cuba, resents how most of the … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction, Political fiction
Tagged book reviews, Castro, communism, Cuba, political history
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