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Post apocalyptic books - recommendations?

160 replies

Resilienceisimportant · 28/12/2024 22:22

Hello everyone. I have read the usual and really like this genre or very though provoking books. Last I read was Children of Time. I liked the concept but the spiders weren’t for me 😂.

Would anyone have any recommendations? Thank you!

OP posts:
AgathaMystery · 17/01/2025 21:37

Bro I read End of the World Running Club - liked it a lot.

Then I read Last one at the Party. Holy hell. That ending.

stormy4319trevor · 16/01/2025 16:10

All the fiends of Hell - Adam Neville. A story of a man who reluctantly ends up protecting 2 orphans in a post apocalyptic world.
The Drift - CJ Tudor - rather brilliant plotting, in my opinion
Great thread. I echo Death of Grass, The Power and Station Eleven, plus many more titles I'm looking forward to checking out.

Resisterance · 16/01/2025 15:48

Anything by JG Ballard or Kurt Vonnegut would fall into that category

Also Naomi Alderman The Power

IButtleSir · 16/01/2025 15:46

The Bone Clocks and Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell both include sections set in a post-apocalyptic world.

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton.

The Last One at the Party by Bethany Clift.

roboroughgirl · 15/01/2025 21:37

Arraminta · 15/01/2025 12:47

I absolutely loved The Book of Koli trilogy. They're written by M. R. Carey (who wrote The Girl With All The Gifts) and are unputdownable.

These are excellent books. I've just started reading Ridley Walker and i'm sure Carey took inspiration from him for the language.

I'm reading Zone One by Colson Whitehead. Very literary, zombie but definitely post apocalyptic.

Thefastplodder · 15/01/2025 14:15

I’m just coming to the end of Oryx and Crake and have really enjoyed reading it. I was hesitant to buy it previously as wasn’t totally sold on the blurb - however, a big thanks to those that recommended it and I’m really glad now that I read it. Shame that the next one in the trilogy isn’t 99p on Kindle too!

Arraminta · 15/01/2025 12:47

I absolutely loved The Book of Koli trilogy. They're written by M. R. Carey (who wrote The Girl With All The Gifts) and are unputdownable.

evtheria · 12/01/2025 19:57

'The Stranding' Kate Sawyer

TheMoth · 03/01/2025 21:13

loosestrife · 03/01/2025 20:19

Agreed. Recognize that you won't understand a thing for the first few pages at least, but it'll all make sense eventually. It's a splendid book.

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And has reminded me of The Book of Dave, if you want some humour in your apocalypse.

loosestrife · 03/01/2025 20:19

snurtifier · 30/12/2024 22:17

Riddley Walker is superb..

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Agreed. Recognize that you won't understand a thing for the first few pages at least, but it'll all make sense eventually. It's a splendid book.

TheOliveFinch · 03/01/2025 16:09

lastqueenofscotlandagain · 02/01/2025 09:16

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood is incredible

This is very good and currently 99p on kindle

MissyGirlie · 03/01/2025 14:09

I've not RTFT so it might have been suggested but Earth Abides by George R. Stewart is maybe the first of the genre. One of my long-term favourites.

DecayingRelic · 03/01/2025 13:57

I have tried twice to read The Passage but cannot get on with it, its an odd writing style🤔

TheMoth · 03/01/2025 13:53

VodkaCola · 31/12/2024 16:40

Thank you to everyone who recommended The Passage. I'm 3 hours and 20 minutes in, and I am absolutely loving it.

I don't understand how I haven't come across it before as I love post-apocalyptic fiction and sci-fi in general.

And it's great knowing that there are 2 more books in the series after this one.

I will make a note of other recommendations on this thread, although I have already read a lot of them!

I think it's because it's marketed as vampires. I was a bit wary to begin with, but then it took an unexpected turn.

TheMoth · 03/01/2025 13:52

So many memories from the recommendations here. No one else ever seems to read Wyndham. But my library growing up was full of dusty, old books.

TheMoth · 03/01/2025 13:51

I have found my people.

If we're talking Nick Harkaway, read The Gone Away World.

I want to read it again for the first time.

There's also A Song of Stone Iain Banks.

debauchedsloth · 02/01/2025 09:19

Some terrific suggestions here - I see 2025 is gonna be my year of dystopian reading :)

lastqueenofscotlandagain · 02/01/2025 09:16

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood is incredible

debauchedsloth · 02/01/2025 09:05

AdaColeman · 29/12/2024 20:15

A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M Miller Jnr.

Oh my lord what an amazing book that is! The opening chapter ... thanks for reminding me of it.

Can I suggest Ursula La Guin.

The Children Of Time series is stupendous for those who were put off by spiders honestly you get to ... admire them, if not quite love them!

Needhelp101 · 02/01/2025 07:54

Have just ordered Night of the Triffids and earmarked Frank Tayell!

A young adult read but still amazing is Robert Swindell's Brother in the Land. Must revisit that again too!

TadpolesInPool · 01/01/2025 01:01

student26 · 31/12/2024 20:18

Already mentioned but Day of the Triffids, and there is also a second one called Night of the Triffids, set 25 years later.
And the author Frank Tayell is INCREDIBLE. Post apocalyptic, it is zombies, but oh my. He details exact locations in the UK and you can follow the characters route on a map as you go along the story, and in some places, even to the same names streets. I’ve got 22 of the books in the evacuation series. He’s also on FB and always happy to chat to fans about his work. I’d highly, highly recommend him.

Yes! DS1 and I really enjoyed the Night of the Triffids. Hadn't thought to check out his other books!

student26 · 31/12/2024 20:18

Already mentioned but Day of the Triffids, and there is also a second one called Night of the Triffids, set 25 years later.
And the author Frank Tayell is INCREDIBLE. Post apocalyptic, it is zombies, but oh my. He details exact locations in the UK and you can follow the characters route on a map as you go along the story, and in some places, even to the same names streets. I’ve got 22 of the books in the evacuation series. He’s also on FB and always happy to chat to fans about his work. I’d highly, highly recommend him.

Catbustotoro · 31/12/2024 18:59

A boy and his dog at the end of the world by Charlie Fletcher is a great one too!

Thefastplodder · 31/12/2024 16:56

VodkaCola · 31/12/2024 16:40

Thank you to everyone who recommended The Passage. I'm 3 hours and 20 minutes in, and I am absolutely loving it.

I don't understand how I haven't come across it before as I love post-apocalyptic fiction and sci-fi in general.

And it's great knowing that there are 2 more books in the series after this one.

I will make a note of other recommendations on this thread, although I have already read a lot of them!

Amazing book! I have read the whole series 3 times and I’m sure will go back to it again yet.

VodkaCola · 31/12/2024 16:40

Thank you to everyone who recommended The Passage. I'm 3 hours and 20 minutes in, and I am absolutely loving it.

I don't understand how I haven't come across it before as I love post-apocalyptic fiction and sci-fi in general.

And it's great knowing that there are 2 more books in the series after this one.

I will make a note of other recommendations on this thread, although I have already read a lot of them!

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