Earth Abides

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Synopsis
A disease of unparalleled destructive force has sprung up almost simultaneously in every corner of the globe, all but destroying the human race. One survivor, strangely immune to the effects of the epidemic, ventures forward to experience a world without man. What he ultimately discovers will prove far more astonishing than anything he'd either dreaded or hoped for. From the Paperback edition.
Copyright:
2006

Book Details

Book Quality:
Excellent
Book Size:
346 Pages
ISBN-13:
9780345487131
Publisher:
Random House Publishing Group
Date of Addition:
Copyrighted By:
George R. Stewart
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Has Image Descriptions:
No
Categories:
Literature and Fiction, Science Fiction and Fantasy
Submitted By:
Worth Trust
Proofread By:
Worth Trust
Usage Restrictions:
This is a copyrighted book.

Reviews

4 out of 5

By on

God only knows why I enjoy books about the end of civilization as much as I do. While not up there with "The Stand," this one is in many ways as good reading. There is no super-conflict of good and evil. But this book is not just a description of the first 100 days, or even the final 9 months as "On the Beach," is. This covers nearly half a century. Sometime after WW2 ended, Isherwood, a San Francisco 20-something, went to the hills. He got snakebit. Having made a full recovery, he left the hills--to find the world nearly deserted of humanity. Facing overwhelming loneliness, he first adopts a dog whom he calls Princess, and then has the good luck to find Em, with whom he makes it a project to rebuild some form of civilization. While there is no super-conflict, there are daily struggles in a world bereft of people--struggles with rats, disease, and yes even a murderer. But as the title says, "Earth Abides," and humanity rebuilds after a fashion. Folks in 1950 were far less advanced than we, so they didn't have as much missing in their lives as we will if civilization is taken down, whether by disease or warfare. These characters had not watched a TV, much less manhandled a computer. When this was written, TV was booming in the East, but not so in Ish's San Francisco. Further, if it happened today, it's a safe bet a San Francisco survivor would have little interest in finding a woman. That aspect of San Francisco, if it existed at all, was well buried in that time. This book's weaknesses are some utterly pointless bits of useless info put in the story for no apparent reason. Also, Ish spends a little too much time being in love with himself. However, if you survive in a 99% empty world, I guess you either become a self-worshiper or you sit and curse your fate, as the folks did in "On the Beach." This is an unforgettable read, flaws and all.