MacKenzie Scott, the billionaire ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has released her third book, "Last Days in Two Nations (A History in Eighteen Minds)," a novel exploring a dystopian vision of the United States.
The book, which Scott began serializing and self-publishing on August 8 via Substack, presents a narrative centered around a fascist partial takeover of the U.S. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives and is partly set in a disputed territory called the Dakota Membership, depicting a clash between the fictional "Still United" States and a stronghold in the Dakotas.
Characters in the novel include a "sex-crazed" President Damian Paxton, described as having a penchant for "t..ts and Taps, pomp and debauchery," who reportedly beds 21 women weekly. Another leader, referred to as "President priss," is depicted fantasizing about sexual encounters within the White House. A South Africa-raised surgeon is also featured as a rival president whose sexual exploits are noted.
Scott, who received $38 billion in Amazon stock after her 2019 divorce from Bezos, has been a significant donor to progressive causes. The novel, a 320-page work, is being released in dense daily installments and is accessible to subscribers for free.
"Last Days in Two Nations" incorporates what the source describes as "left wing social commentary." One section follows a character named Jonah traveling to a breakaway territory with a rat in a "biodegradable carrier" to navigate minefields. A phone call from his sister is likened to the "Stasi," the East German secret police, and a television in his room shows "dancing nurses in sexy Santa dresses."
Scott studied with acclaimed author Toni Morrison at Princeton University. Her previous works of fiction include "The Testing of Luther Albright: A Novel," about a man dealing with family issues after an earthquake, and "Traps," about a movie star on a road trip to Las Vegas.
Scott has publicly dedicated considerable effort to donating her wealth, having given away $26 billion to date. She sold 75% of her Amazon stock from the divorce settlement. The author has not conducted any public relations or interviews for the project, and her agent did not respond to requests for comment.
While Amazon has praised her "taut prose" and "tough characters," some authors have offered criticism. Thomas Kenniff, author of "Tuxedo Park," suggested that Scott might find more purpose in activities other than writing, given her "substantial resources."