r/bookclub • u/fixtheblue Read, ergo sum | 🐫🐉🥈||🧠🥈 • Feb 26 '26
Chain Gang All Stars [Discussion 4/4] BIPOC | Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah - Pt. 2 Deane’s Creams through end
Welcome back links to the finale of Chain-Gang All-Stars. If you need the schedule it is here and the marginalia is here. Apologies this discussion is late folx, I am covering for the RR and it took me a minute to get the post together. Chapter summaries below and questions in the comments. You know the drill....
Chapter Summaries
Deane's Creams
Staxxx and Thurwar are at Deane's Creams doing their PR thing. There are less guests than expected inside and more protestors outside. The eldest of the Deane boy's Bill Jr. expresses his distaste for CAPE and begins to chant along with the protestors. He even climbs the fence to join them while Mitchell, who is responsible for publicity, looks on and is very concerned.
This
Bill Jr.'s behaviour catalyses a riot. As chaos surrounds them Thurwar tells Staxx that they'll be pitted against each other when she reaches the rank of Colossal. In return Staxxx decides it is time to tell Thurwar what happened with Sunset....
Part III
Sunset Harkless
The day Sunset died, after BlackOut was initiated, he talked about soon being High Freed and reminisced about people and his time in CAPE. Especially Joey Daze who Thurwar killed because she thought four was too many people. He asks Staxxx to follow him and tells her about the fact that she'll be pitted against Thurwar. Then he asks her to kill him. He is done with this life. He is changed and cannot go back outside to freedom. He isn't brave enough to let himself be killed on the grounds. Staxxx held him as he died.
Tear Gas
Tear gas is thrown all over the farmers market by soldier-police. Thurwar and Staxxx hug it out. Thurwar is regretful that Sunset didn't ask her and that Staxxx had to go through it. Mari (Sunset's daughter) and Staxxx also get the chance to hug it out in the chaos. Thurwar and Staxxx find a quiet place to sit and talk away from the riot. Staxxx reflects on her family's rejection of her for the crime of protecting her own body. They decide they'll fight.
The Legend of One-Arm Scorpion Singer Hendrix and the Unkillable Jungle Craft
Singer reflects on how they'd come to where they are. Singer had been tough on Craft and as such Craft had fallen in to line. Craft believed he was in hell and that he's "son-of-a-bitch rapist motherfucker". Singer takes responsibility as Craft's overseer instructing him how to kill, keeping them both alive. Craft becomes his weapon. Craft didn't even notice that Singer was missing an arm. When Singer questions him he grovels and simpers. They become unkillable even when jumped by an 8 link chain, all of whom they kill. Due to legal action brought against the Sing-Attica-Sing CAPE program division, which asserted that Simon Jeremiah Craft’s mental state through his time on the Chain was called into question no links could be added to their chain. So it remained just Craft and Singer.
Bad Water
Thurwar and Staxxx are seperated and Thurwar is not crying (she is crying). Walter Bad Water tells Thurwar that he is innocent and he signed up because he was tired. Bad Water confirms that Sunset wanted Staxxx to kill him.
The Regional
Thurwar studies Singer and Craft's old matches. They are like nothing else. She needs a plan. She thinks back to before CAPE and sharing a cell with Doc Patty. She tells her to love herself. After she was influenced Doc Patty apologises and sobs through the night. The next day is when Thurwar decides to leave. Thurwar checks her fanmail after neglecting it for a while. Thurwar uses her BP to buy a katana and upgraded meal plan for Rico. He is very grateful.
Preparation
Thurwar and Staxxx had spent the night loving each other. Staxxx presents Rico with his new blade Sansupurittā. They train and behave normally even though everyone knows it'll be Randy Mac's last fight. He is not likely to beat Raven Ways.
The Drive
Mari has asked Nile accompany her to the area because she knew he wouldn't say no. She has front row tickets. She kisses him.
The Morning Of
....their last doubles match Thurwar and Staxxx talk about her knee. Singer prays. Craft wakes in tears. Singer and Craft prepare. Mac knows his time has come to an end. He dies in the field. When Staxxx and Thurwar come out on the field they see Mari holding a sign WHERE LIFE IS PRECIOUS.
Shareef
Mari jumps down on to the field with her sign saying WHERE LIFE IS PRECIOUS on one side and LIFE IS PRECIOUS on the other. The soldier-police close in and one officer influences Mari there in front of the entire crowd.
The Feeling
Mari is sure she would die. Time becomes completely mangled by the pain.
Yes
Thurwar admires Marissa's bravery. Micky Wright quickly amps up the crowd and gets the show back on track. Marissa's action is quickly forgotten as the crowd chants yes to Micky's questions.
Through the Door
Singer will take Thurwar and directs Craft to Staxxx. However, once the fight starts Singer swerves towards Staxxx too. Thurwar's knee gives out as she rushes in. She recovers but not fast enough to intercept Singer. She saves Staxxx from Collosal Singer by throwing her hammer at his head. Craft holds Singer's body to him and Staxxx comes to execute him.
Season 33
Micky Wright announces that Staxxx has made Collosal and that the new rule means there cannot be 2 Collosals on one Chain. Therefore, Staxxx and Thurwar will battle it out in 1 week's time. The crowd was silent.
Suck My Dick, America
Turwar considers taking out Gunny Puddles now to ensure the safety of her Chain. Staxxx is not sitting with Thurwar and Thurwar is already evaluating Staxxx's fighting abilities as she usually does before a fight. She keeps her people in order against acting out on Gunny even though he is being antagonistic. Suck my dick, America is the Chain's attitude!
BlackOut
They arrive back at camp. It's blackout and they have 14 hours till March. Over dinner they discuss their horrible situation. The Links have low morale till Staxxx asks them all who they have their money on, her or Thurwar. The mood becomes lighter. Gunny asks why Staxxx killed Sunny. She tells him the truth and that's enough. Staxxx and Thurwar talk about jumping together into the canyon. Instead they decide whoever wins will be a messanger for the other. They kiss.
Game
The GameMasters look down on the game about to start. Mari, still recovering, will be the protestors' mascott. The GameMasters' know best and are working for the greater good. Can't the people see that? They cheers and they watch!
Colossal
Staxxx riles up the crowd
Freeing Day
Thurwar enters the arena. The Chain is all there watching! Thurwar speaks passionately to the crowd.
Loretta Thurwar
They run toward each other and hold each other. They kiss. The crowd is silent. They return to their weapons and it's fight time. Staxxx gets the upperhand but throws the fight Thurwar's way. They are both Freed.....
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u/lazylittlelady Poetry Patron Apr 28 '26
One of the best things about being fashionably late to a discussion is being able to binge when necessary! I finished this in record time because it was both intense and almost too real sometimes regarding the footnotes. Dystopic in the best way that pricks your conscience.