In the Clutch of the War-God

by Milo Hastings

"In the Clutch of the War-God" by Milo Hastings is a novel set in the early 20th century, specifically in the 1950s. The story explores a speculative future where Japan, frustrated with America's refusal to accept immigration and driven by racial needs, initiates a war for land and resources against the United States. Through the narrative, Hastings contemplates cultural differences, the impact of warfare, and the clash of civilizations. The plot centers around Ethel Calvert, the daughter of an American grain merchant living in Japan. After her father's death during an anti-foreign riot, she is taken in by a Japanese family and eventually finds herself amidst the conflict as Japan invades American territory. Ethel adopts Japanese customs and clothing to blend in, while grappling with her identity and loyalties. The invasion is marked by aerial warfare, where Ethel meets Winslow, an American who has become a war correspondent for a publication advocating peace. Through their journey, they confront the realities of war, the complexities of identity, and the possibilities of scientific improvement over brute force in shaping human society. The novel ultimately presents a vision of reconciliation and cooperation between East and West following the upheaval of war.