The Broke-Ass List of Best Post-Apocalyptic Reads
Guys, Post-apocalyptic fiction is really hot right now. Post-apoc is the new vampires. What do you mean you haven’t read The Hunger Games yet?
I will watch/read anything about the impending destruction of civilzation. Probably because I’m generally cynical and dark, but it is so fascinating to me, because it provides a setting in which none of the bullshit materialism, societal expectations of attractiveness, and ideas of success don’t matter anymore. Class division is irrelevant, and all characters are boiled down to the essential elements: doing the best with what you have. Which is a major tenant of the Broke-Ass philosophy. Post-aqpoc stories and fiction will appeal to Broke-Asses, because, like the Broke-Ass philosophy, it involves s making like interesting not with the things you own, but the shit you do.
But seriously you guys, if you haven’t read The Hunger Games trilogy, what are you waiting for? It’s an amazing series. Well, maybe you are one of those people who abhor anything that is mainstream or popular. I understand. Here are some of my favorite lesser-known post-apoc reads:
The Passage by Justin Cronin
The thing about The Passage is that sure, it has a plot that sounds like the next Michael Bay movie, but throughout the worldwide catastrophe, it focuses more on the characters and their struggles, conflicts, and relationships, and you grow to really know them (well, after 900 pages, you don’t have a choice, do you?)
Girlfriend in a Coma by Douglas Coupland
An oldie-but-goodie. Douglas Coupland, fresh off his sudden popularity for writing and coining “Generation X” released this novel to mixed acclaim. It’s got all the hallmarks of a great Coupland novel (disaffected youth, strained family relations, navel-gazing characters) but throw in a mysterious virus that wipes out everyone except for a hipster clique of friends. Think How I Met Your Mother meets Waterworld. But without drinking your own urine.
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
Forget the Will Smith movie. The movie took a lot of creative license from the original novella; namely, changing almost everything. This novella is short, suspenseful,creepy, and to the point. What would you do if you were literally the last man alive? Would you have the determination to try to keep on living? Would there be a point? You know, typical first-date type of conversation starters.
Gone by Michael Grant
Firstly, don’t let the fact that this is a young adult novel or the pretty teen models on the cover deter you. Michael Grant does not screw around with the harsh realities of what happens when everyone over the age of 14 disappears and a small beach town is trapped in a dome. In a very short time, the town’s children descends into Lord of the Flies-like tendencies, with political struggles, warfare and murder. Doesn’t help that some of the kids start developing weird superpowers. Forget those cheesy X-men powers, these kids discover that they can spit flames from their hands and burn their former classmates to a crisp. Which happens. More than once.
This is the first of a series, and although at times is over the top, the development of the town’s children into a (dys)functional society is very nuanced and well-thought out.
The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman
Of course, any list about post-apoc stories would not be complete without zombies. You probably know that the television’s The Walking Dead is pretty bad-ass, so why not try the source material? Graphic novels are not everyone’s cup of tea, but as far as graphic novels go, the series is pretty accessible and well-thought out.
Don’t worry too much about me, I do read more uplifting stuff (Devil Wears Prada, anyone?) but I can’t resist spending a rainy day reading a good story about the near-destruction of humanity.
Photocredits: goodreads.com
