Erika Carlock is one of those writers who have a natural ability to create characters who are appealing and unique; in this case, nationality and profession. Her debut novel, The Marriage Engine was released in May of 2021 and earned her the Best Book of the Year award from The Independent Reading Panel. It was followed by several other notable books, including One Hundred Years of Solitude and Remember the Names of the Damned. However, her newest novel takes the cake for being the most controversial book written in recent history; Nationality, or, How I Became an American.
Using a highly innovative method of blending genetics, historical records, and personal journals; Ms. Carlock attempts to shed new light on the question of how we became Americans. Although she begins the book by describing herself as an “ethnically-diverse” woman with multiple nationalities, much of the story involves her search for her biological identity, which alludes to her relationship with an Asian man while she was in high school. However, her true identity was exposed when her family moved to the United States, and she consequently adopted the identity of an American.
The book then chronicles her relationships with her partners throughout the years, and how each one was “fated” to leave her after she discovered her true biological identity. Through various flashbacks and reflections throughout the novel (which is surprisingly often funny), Carlock presents her readers with an idea-spinning yarn about race, nationality, and identity. In sum, Nationality, Or How I Became an American showcases the razor-sharp wit of Erika Carlock and illuminates the human mind’s ability to leap into unknown waters. Recommended for anyone who loves to think critically and is interested in the psychological underpinnings of identity-forming choices, this book will make its mark as one of the landmark works of contemporary fiction.