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Original poster

Post apocalyptic fiction again

58 replies

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/08/2011 19:10

A while back I had a huge thread, with lots of people kindly recommending dystopian or post-apocalyptic fiction.

Last night I read 'Children Of The Dust' - a 1980s children's book about life after a nuclear war. Unfortunately, I was v disappointed by it because I felt that the writer was so busy labouring her anti-nuclear point that she forgot about making the book interesting and her characters multi-dimensional. I thought this was a real shame because I liked the different generations structure and the way the different key characters linked but it was very clunky with lots of pseudo-religious/Pagan stuff getting in the way of the story.

Have now started 'Riddley Walker' and thus far am finding it pretty hard work. It's not so much the language but all the 'tellings' and the 'Eusa' stuff that I'm just not terribly taken by yet. I can see that it's clever but it's not making me want to devour it in one sitting.

Any opinions? Just don't give any spoilers on Riddley Walker yet please! :)

OP posts:
CatIsSleepy · 19/08/2011 17:00

how about A Canticle for Leibowitz? can't remember the author atm but it's excellent...

steamedtreaclesponge · 19/08/2011 16:54

Also, do you have a kindle? Because I could send you the Hunger Games trilogy, if so...

steamedtreaclesponge · 19/08/2011 16:53

I was going to suggest Brother in the Land - haven't read it since I was little but remember how creepy it was.

Are you in London? The sci-fi exhibition on at the British Library has a whole section on dystopian/apocalyptic fiction. I made loads of notes about things I wanted to read in the notebook which contains my life, and then LOST the notebook

I may have to go back again just to make more notes...

RoseC · 19/08/2011 15:49

Was just about to recommend Empty World :) Siamo DP bought me a copy from ebay or Amazon (think Amazon) for £5 for my birthday. I had bought a copy for 20p in my high school book rummage but I lent it out and it never came back Angry

This thread has thrown up a few I haven't read yet - thanks for starting it Remus :)

Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 19/08/2011 15:15

I've read 'Brother In The Land' and the Jean U ones but thanks anyway.

Haven't read that Jasper F one but his Thursday Next books really annoy me, although I've read a few of them through desperation's sake. I might see if the library have got it anyway and give it a go. Thank you.

WELL - I have finished Riddley Walker. Please would anybody like to talk to me about it? I thought it was clever and I liked him as a narrator but I'm not sure I actually understood it tbh! I liked the Saint Eustace stuff and how Goodparley used it to try and link into his own ideas and I get the whole bomb thing but other than that I think I must have missed something.

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TheSmallClanger · 19/08/2011 11:34

It's a bit of a curveball, but you might enjoy Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world and has some really quite dark ideas, but it is a comic novel. I really want to read the next one in the series, but Ffff hasn't written it yet.

SiamoFottuti · 17/08/2011 22:59

I liked Children of the Dust, but its rather dated. Have you read the similar Brother in the Land? Also Plague 99/Come Lucky April by Jean Ure.

My favourite of the YA books in this genre was Empty World by John Christopher, I'd kill to read it again but I can't track it down, think its out of print.

mamalino · 17/08/2011 22:59

Thank you, I really must try and make more of an effort! If I had the time I think I would be either reading or on here all day Smile

My amazon wish list just keeps on getting longer!

Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/08/2011 22:52

And do keep reading/posting. I think the adult fiction section is one of the best parts of MN. :)

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Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/08/2011 22:51

Read it! It irritated me tbh but lots of people really rate it.

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mamalino · 17/08/2011 22:49

Actually if you have had a thread already I bet it's been suggested before! Sorry, dont normally read/post in this section but always think I should as I adore reading.

mamalino · 17/08/2011 22:46

The Road, Cormac McCarthy?

Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/08/2011 22:37

Read most of John W's. Not tried Peter D - have picked his up in the library a couple of times but not brought them home. Will now do so!

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neversaydie · 17/08/2011 22:35

Other ones to try are The Chrsalids by John Wyndham and The Weathermonger by Peter Dickinson. The second on is a children's/YA book, and none the worse for it.

I found Ridley Walker VERY hard work!

Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/08/2011 21:34

Read both of these - both v good.

I STILL haven't finished Riddley Walker, despite nearly an hour in the bath - it's taking me forever!

Certain phrases in it have a strange beauty and I like his narration; I'm just not really enjoying all the 'shows' and 'tells' and 'stories' much.

OP posts:
teddies · 17/08/2011 20:49

On the Beach by Nevil Shute
Z for Zachariah by Robert C O'Brien (children's really)

Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/08/2011 19:23

Read it and the follow up, After The Flood (which I liked much better than O&C). Thanks though.

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Moulesfrites · 17/08/2011 19:01

what about Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/08/2011 18:58

Not heard of those so will have a Google. Thank you. :)

I still haven't finished Riddley Walker. I don't dislike it, I'm just not finding it holding my attention for very long at a time. Should finish it in the bath tonight!

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elkiedee · 17/08/2011 12:22

I was a bit wary of The Hunger Games but was/am tempted by it being on offer at a low price for Kindle at the moment, if that's any good to anyone.

Have you read Octavia Butler's two Parable books? The first one's brilliant and I still have to read the second.

Hellishday · 17/08/2011 10:06

Sorry it is Julie Myerson. I have been reading Lesley Glaister as well.......(too much wine)

Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/08/2011 22:40

:)

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NotQuiteSoDesperate · 16/08/2011 22:15

Does help when you are a children's librarian, because you get to read all of the Young Adult books first Wink

Original poster
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/08/2011 22:12

Thank you. 'Then' looks interesting, although isn't she the writer who cashed in on her son's problems rather?

I've never got into PD James - is Children Of Men different to her others?

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CarmelitaMiggs · 16/08/2011 21:20

Julie Myerson wrote a book called Then which came out a few months ago.... plot sounds v similar to L Glaister?

I really rate The Children of Men by PD James -- unputdownable. Forget the rather ropey Clive Owen film.