Set in 2025, Erika Raskin’s novel, ALLEGIANCE, anticipates what would happen if a fascist wins the U.S. presidential election in November 2024. The story is told from two points of view. One is a prescient grandmother (Natalie) on the run with her two grandchildren. She’s hoping to find safe harbor for them. The other is of a young man who has infiltrated an ultra-right wing closed community whose goal it is to participate in a violent nationwide assault on both anyone they deem as “woke” and on democratic institutions. His intention is to gather information then publish an expose warning others of the group’s intentions.

            Raskin’s close point of view portrayal of Natalie is visceral and riveting. I felt every bump in the road on this woman’s journey, including the extreme panic she felt when her grandchildren disappear at a road stop. Natalie is terrified by the fascist leaders who have control over the country; her interior monologue reflects both her fear and disgust. Yet, her character is not one-dimensional. Raskin rounds out Natalie by having her show compassion for the downtrodden supporters of the movement.

            The other lead character, Finn, has managed to gain entry into a militaristic community lead by a brutal authoritarian named McGill. The man is coordinating with other groups to launch  “payback day” when both people and institutions are destroyed. During his stay, Finn shows compassion for some community members, but the compassion is coupled with revulsion for their beliefs and actions. Finn’s story is portrayed via his surreptitious telephone communications with Hawk, a man who is compiling and editing the material for publication.

            During the last third of the book, when both Natalie and Finn’s circumstances become dire, the high stakes kept me turning pages. The story reached a satisfying end.

            This novel is intense and doesn’t shy away from naming both Natalie’s and Finn’s deepest fears. An added bonus to this book is the way Raskin depicts the two grandchildren as quirky, intelligent, and funny. The children bring humor and hope to the story and bring needed dramatic relief.

            Just a decade ago, Raskin’s tale might be received as unbelievable, that nothing on these pages could happen in our democracy. Yet, last night’s shocking news about another terrible election-related event made me think that just about anything is possible in the months ahead. Regardless which point on the political spectrum Raskin’s readers occupy, I hope they take heed.