Earth Abides, 1949 by George R. Stewart

[doublethink]

Re-reading .... classic fiction novel about a virus outbreak. First read it years ago. Was brought back to mind by my cousin who reminded me of my dad digging a bomb shelter during the Cuban missile crisis. The guy in this book had a "hammer" that he carried around. I still have my dad's 'shovel' (which I still cherish as sacred) that he dug the bomb shelter out with.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Abides

[raccoon]

1. In college I read that book within 24 hours. Couldn't put it down. Nt

[doublethink]

2. Same here....

What got me right off the bat was the first interrupting prose about how different species came and went over time, whatever they were, reaching a pinnacle at some point and died out. I had no idea where this book was going after that but could really relate to what was going on in this guys predicament and what he was going through throughout the book. More interrupting prose which really kept you 'philosophizing ' along the journey in your own thoughts. Kept looking for a 'movie' if any was ever made after it over the years ... but na-da. Couldn't believe one was never made unless I missed it? It wouldn't of been better then the book anyway like always, but at least they could have tried right ha. Peace. ...

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

3. I probably read it the first time when I was 12 or so, meaning about 60 years ago.

I've reread it periodically since. My s-f book club did it some years ago.

What I found most interesting in that last reread was how dated it was in certain ways. How much simpler the technology was back then, which actually made survival somewhat easier in many ways. Although there is a magic grocery store that never runs out of groceries/canned goods.

But the way the generations change profoundly because of the complete collapse of everything seems well thought out.