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Best Post Apocalyptic Science Fiction Books
The Best Books About the World After It Ends
See the ranking"It's The End Of The World As We Know It (and I feel fine)" (REM, "Document", 1987). That's what 'apocalypse' is all about. Except that people usually end up not feeling fine at all, because we're all basically comfy in the world as it is, and when that ends we tend to freak out—a bit... or a bit more... or a lot...
'Apocalypse', in its original meaning, refers to a revelation of sorts; by lifting a veil from the world, society, our lives and their purpose or lack thereof, ourselves. That kind of stuff. In other words, it's not actually about civilization or the Earth or the universe being obliterated, or at the very least made very strange and uncomfortable compared to the way it was before; even though that's what's usually happened. Science fiction—and fantasy as well; and there is a hybrid SF&F novel in this compilation—has covered post-apocalyptic themes since its beginnings, with varying scope and focus, but invariably caused by an event or series of events qualifying as 'disastrous'; for it seems that that's the only way apocalypse can happen. And, let's face it, from a story-telling point of view it's much more fun that way. Post-apocalyptic SF—maybe more so than all other subgenres—focuses on people and their way of coping with the changes and challenges brought into their lives. The nature of the apocalyptic event as such becomes far less important than what it does to people; how it tests their mettle; how it exposes their weaknesses and strengths. Some of the stories here are grim and cheerless. Some are just plain bizarre. Other focus on hope.
I find it impossible to rank these in terms of this-one-is-better-than-that. They're all go good! To help readers pick something that accords with their literary dispositions, this list, instead of "read if you like" (because you'll probably read these books if you like post-apocalypse stories!), has a rating system with scores of 1-5 for: "Grimness", "Bizarreness", "Hope" and "Fun-factor". All very subjective, of course; but it should give a rough guide about whether you'll have nightmares, end up depressed, don't give a damn, or have some cool action dreams, with an occasional bit of nooky thrown in.
The ranking
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World War Z: An Oral History Of The Zombie War
by Max Brooks
The zombie war told as interviews with the survivors, Max Brooks's chilling oral history.
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The Day Of The Triffids (Triffids) Start here
by John Wyndham
The world changes when a meteor shower leaves most of the world's population blind. The event is augmented by the flesh-eating and mobile plants.
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Lucifer's Hammer
by Larry Niven And Jerry Pournelle
and Jerry Pournelle. Jerry Pournelle. The villainous asteroid has become a common trope of this sub-genre.
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The Stand
A popular novel, and possibly King's best, is an end-of-the world story caused by the accidental release of a mutating influenza virus that wipes out 99% of humanity.
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Earth Abides
A classic Sci Fi novel where an unexpected pandemic turns into an extinction level event.
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The Time Machine
by Wells, H. G.
Follow a time traveller into an alien-like future Earth to witness the consequences of humanity's social and biological choices and evolution.
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Planet Of The Apes
The book that launched a cinematic saga is a version of Xenofiction taking place on another planet where apes are intelligent and civilized.
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The shortlist
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