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Bleak/Post-Apocalyptic Books?

JAStewart

Graduate Poster
JAStewart
Joined
Nov 5, 2006
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I have developed an interest in post-apocalyptic literature since watching then reading The Road. I also recently read, and was disappointed by Nevil Shute's On The Beach.

Can anyone else recommend me some post-apocalyptic or bleak literature or movies? I intend on reading Metro 2033.
 
You could try Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon.
It's reminiscent of The Stand in length and texture.
 
"Davy", by Edgar Pangborn "Alas Babylon", by Pat Frank come to mind.
 
Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse by James Wesley Rawles

Moonlight by Keith Knapp

Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse by John Joseph Adams

One Second After by William R. Forstchen (really good)

The Sleep of the Gods by James Sperl

Earth Abides by George R. Stewart

Lucifer's Hammer by Jerry Pournelle

On The Beach by Nevil Shute.
 
"A Death of Grass" ("No Blade of Grass" in North America) by John Christopher. Post-Apocalyptic and bleak (also disturbingly believable).

"Lot" and "Lot's Daughter" by Ward Moore.
 
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It's gotta be A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter Miller Jr. One of the best books of the 20th century. No exaggeration.
 
The movie Cherry 2000. A really good laugh, and a small punchline.

Otherwise, I agree with D'rok, particularly if you're somewhat familiar with Catholic practices, ritual and history.
 
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Day of The Triffids.

A Canticle For Leibowitz

Moonseed - Stephen Baxter. (more of a disaster novel really)

Flood - Stephen Baxter (and the sequel, Ark.)

Earth Abides - George R. R. Martin.

Galapagos - Kurt Vonnegut

Worlds, Worlds Apart and Worlds Enough And Time- A trilogy by Joe Haldeman

A Boy And His Dog - A short story by Harlan Ellison
 
Another vote for "Davy"...

"The Stand"
"The Sheep Look Up" (technically not post-apocalypse but the final lines in the book are the best understatedly apocalyptic lines I can think of...)

"Ridley Walker" is pretty alright, if you can be arsed to figure out what he's saying.



"The Sheep
 
Second Variety, Philip K. Dick (short story). Dick wrote other stories in the same vein but this is my favourite post-apocalyptic one. And, of course, he wrote a whole lot of other stories that are also well worth reading.

Dave
 
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