Book Review: Split by Kurt Schlichter

 

Split is book is #6 in the Kelly Turnbull series, but chronologically #2, picking up where Crisis left off, a short time after the country has been divided between "the blues" and "the reds." The main plot has Kelly infiltrating the recently formed People's Republic to get out a crazy scientist or failing that, get hold of the MacGuffin said scientist had squirreled away. Spolier: things don't go as planned, putting Kelly on a collision course with a couple of powerful players and hooking up with unlikely allies.

While being the grimmest, most violent book in the series so far (I hear #7 takes the prize in that regard), there are plenty of humorous references to certain real-life politicians and of course commentary on leftism run amok. My favorite running joke is one of the side characters spending most of his non-shooting time explaining to everyone that he's not Ben Shapiro. It's one of those little absurdities that is truly appreciated in the midst of continuous tension and bloodshed.

Much like the rest of the series, and probably more so, this is a dire warning against letting the "national divorce" fantasy of so many come to life. Most of the warning of this particular entry is directed at the Right, Schlichter's political allies, pointing out with ruthless certainty that having guns and the will to fight won't be enough for those caught on the "wrong" side of the breakup. (Earlier published and chronologically later Indian Country shows that resistance can be possible, but is still quite unflinching as to the cost.)

A couple of new characters are introduced of whom I'd like to see more in the remaining entries, and a few meet well-deserved demise, including one at the end that's both highly satisfying and possibly the worst imaginable way to die. As with the last few entries, Schlichter's progress as a writer is great to see. His characters are more fleshed out, the social commentary is more complex, and the action scenes are more immersive. I'm looking forward to reading more of the series soon.