Not your run of the mill post apocalyptic novel. A little dated, regardless of some protestations to the contrary. On the whole I enjoyed it albeit every now and then my muted dislike of the protagonist flared up and interrupted the flow for me. ( )

Very introspective in tone and so different from Stephen King’s post-apocalyptic book [The Stand] and more similar to [Dying Inside]. A worthwhile read of how humanity might continue after the collapse of civilization. ( )

Earth Abides is #2 on the Pringle list of 100 classic science fiction novels. This is the second, probably third time I have read the novel, with the first time being about 1984 or 1985 when a friend gifted me several books that were his favorites. Forty years ago. The book was soon one of my favorites. Oddly Pringle's summation of the book is off. Among other things, the story is not set in San Francisco as Pringle thinks, but across the bay and bridges in the Berkeley hills where the author lived in real life. Pringle does give the book high praise and cites poet Carl Sandburg as a fan of the book.

Reading it now I was most comfortable treating it as a piece of historical fiction set in 1949. Except of course the plague part and the subsequent collapse of civilization. This is a thoughtful and emotional story. Philosophical discursions throughout the novel. A sort of melancholy affected me as I was reading through the second half of the novel as hopes get dashed with deaths and things continue to fall apart. I think the end is pretty sad. I will still consider it one of my very favorite books. I recognize the importance of it. George Stewart created a timeless classic.

Men go and come, but earth abides. ( )

A somber portrait of a man who survives a cataclysmic plague and struggles to rebuild some semblance of civilization. Deeply affecting. Published in 1949, this is a classic work of science fiction that remains relevant today, perhaps more now than ever. A compelling read. ( )

Brian Aldiss coined the term "cozy catastrophe" about John Wyndham's work. It being an end of the world event where the character doesn't suffer enough or there's not always impending doom right at the door. In Earth Abides, the main character, Ish, is bedridden throughout the entire apocalypse. Then we follow him when he is clear-headed. No zombies. No aliens. No evil government stooges.

Ish isn't a scientist or a doctor, or a superhuman soldier; he's just a slightly more intelligent person who understands the present and the importance the future holds. Along the way he picks up a few group of survivors. The dynamic of the group is something that is interesting as we see a small society form. Within this, Ish becomes a defacto leader and the idealist - but an idealist who has reality smack into him several times, especially when it concerns other people. While you do get a semblance of others actions and reasons, we are constantly following Ish and his internal dialogue. Society is gone and all that remains are the remains.

But now children come into the mix. Society is still in struggle within their group. Ish wants to build the children to take over and remember the times before and achieve order once again. But what does order and society look like when you only have less than a dozen people who existed in the "before times".

There are some amazing juxopositions in this book as well. Ish takes a wife, Emma, names that have origin towards "Adam" and "Eve". We see the story starts out with Ish (Adam) being bitten by a snake and then he's thrust out into a world of disorder but also the Earth continues. Within this, there is small discussions of religion as in Ish is not religious and views it as a distraction from the unity needed among the group and focus on survival tasks. Then to double back, mythology springs up on things that for Ish are common place but for the children who only know the world after the Great Disaster become totems and exalted titles.

There's no big shootouts in this book. There's no stopping the mad bomber or brigand. It is a calm book but the tension and drama are beautifully done. The dealing with an outside stranger to the group and the impact of actions taken is such a high point. But there are little movements that are big deals and then there are big deals where you think the story will focus on but it settles into a more somber and carefree tone. It's amazing.

I almost come to think of apocalypse stories truly bringing questions of the purpose of life and humanity front and center and this one has done it the most by not focusing on the disaster but on the life and humanity. This would be an amazing book for a group discussion or reading group. I was tempted not to finish it as I saw the end coming and didn't want it to end - a sure sign of a good book. A definite recommendendation. Don't let it sit on your shelf. But if you do, the Earth Abides. Final Grade - A+ ( )