Earth Abides
by George R. Stewart
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Book Reviews of Earth Abides
Book Review: Over-hyped and underwhelming
Summary: 1 Stars
Being a fan of apocalyptic SF (among other things), I ordered this after seeing it on several peoples's lists of the greatest end-of-the-world/post-apocalyptic novels. It tells the story, of Ish Williams, who is one of a handful of survivors of a sudden plague that kills off something like 99.99% of the world's primate poulation. Earth Abides describes, in linear chronological fashion, the subsequent 50 years or so, following Ish who becomes the leader of a small band of survivoirs and eventually the shaman-like last survivior of the pre-plague people.
The book was written in 1949 and feels very dated, in terms of dialog, ideas and socio-political themes. There are distinctly (although thinly veneered) anti-technology, elitist and generic christian motifs running rather crudely throughout, all of which turned me off. In a couple of places, the author's science is arguable or just plain wrong, and some of his plot devices (cars that still work after sitting on a lot for decades) feel contrived. All this aside, the writing itself just isn't that good.
The main character, Ish is a neurotic misanthrope. No genius himself, Ish is nonetheless an incredible intellectual snob, judging everyone around him including his loving wife, to be of lower intelligence than he. A young (already lonely and alone) graduate student at the beginning of the novel, this remarkably unlikeable character goes on to comment negatively about the intellectual capacities of everyone who comes along in his life, except for one grandson that he deems worthy to become his successor.
There is very little action, and many descriptive passages about changes in the earth and its flora and fauna following the disaster. None is particularly well written. I guess, being written in 1949, one has to award points for originality, but compared to dozens of novels and a smaller number of non-fiction works published since then concerned with the fate of the earth after man is gone, there is not much here that warrants this novel's amazing longevity.
I am at a loss to explain this novel's huge popularity and staying power. That it remains in print 61 years after first publication is astounding to me, as are all the 5-star reviews. Virtually all of the ideas and themes visited have been done better by others who are much better, and more interesting writers. One particularly acute contrast is with James Van Pelt's "Summer of the Apocalypse", that I read immediately after "Earth Abides". It is far superior in every respect, although a superficial description of each makes them sound very similar. Nevertheless, they could not be more different.
I was very disappointed by this "classic" and would not recommend it on any level.
Book Review: Melancholy Science Fiction Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Isherwood Williams is away in the mountains pursuing his graduate field studies in geology. In our iPhone, instant connectivity world it is hard to imagine the isolation this kind of trip entailed in the 1950's when George Stewart wrote his book. Recovering from a snake bite, Ish stumbles back from the hills to find most of humanity wiped out by disease. We follow Ish through the remainder of his life as he comes to terms with a changing Earth--an Earth on which humanity is a barely noticeable presence.
The absence of humanity is not only a stark fact, but is emphasized by the author's writing style. Ish is a clear introvert and we experience much of the Earth's change through his internal monologue. Even when he encounters, interacts with, and teams up with other people, this produces very little dialogue. This style underscores the aloneness of the book's characters. It's not loneliness, in the emotional sense, but a continuing reminder that other people no longer play a significant role in the world.
The Earth itself becomes an evolving character in the book. We experience the successive rise and fall in populations of insects, rats, dogs and other species as seasons in the Earth's changing life. The diminishing resources scavenged by human beings from cities and storehouses are important to their survival, but also serve as markers of change as the Earth sheds the thin layers of Man's influence. This change is not progress, nor is it overly mourned as decline. It is thoroughly described and documented as inevitable change. Ish observes it and reacts to it. But neither he nor the other characters influence its path or pace.
Read and compare this book with two other classics of post-Apocalyptic fiction: Alas, Babylon and The Day of the Triffids. These works also follow their characters through crises, scavenging, and attempts to preserve the technology and civilization of the past. They are both more optimistic and more social in narrative style and in the strategies followed by their characters. After reading them, return to Earth Abides and appreciate it for the melancholy and aloneness felt by both its characters and its readers. It is a good story, a moving experience, and a skillful integration of message and writing style.
Book Review: Tales of the Last American
Summary: 5 Stars
Every fan of post-apocalyptic stories has his own reason for following the genre. Mine is, that I like to see what the author considers most important to life in this world. When civilization and human society collapse; when food, medicine, and basic comforts become scarce; when friends are few and family is imperiled, what values will prevail? Most of the classic novels of calamity portray survivors determined to carry on, forming communities which are insular and self-reliant; learning and developing the skills and collecting the resources essential to living in a new world. Earth Abides paints a somewhat different picture.
Ish is much like the heroes of the other popular disaster stories, in that he is determined to carry on; and to recover, as much as possible, the advances of civilization which are in danger of disappearing with the loss of most of the human race. Ish finds himself the head of a community and extended family; and though he is strong, educated, and resourceful, he finds nothing but frustration in his efforts to pass on his values to the next generation. His children and grandchildren have little desire to produce goods for themselves, having become dependent on the things left behind by those who died from the plague. He is unable to inspire them with his vision for keeping the great accomplishments of humanity alive.
Something unique about this story is the occasional vignette describing what happens to the world around Ish, now that the human race has essentially become an endangered species. If you've ever watched the History Channel's "Life After People", you'll get a sense of that here - and see how these things directly affect Ish and the other survivors.
I'm discovering that those classic novels which I can read many times throughout my life, and which say something new to me each time (see my reviews of "1984" and "Fahrenheit 451"), are those in which I recognize the signs of true works of genius. This is only my first time reading "Earth Abides", but I already wonder what it will say to me in five years, or ten, as I raise my children, or lead kids in my community, and try to impart my own values and experience to them. Will I be able to pass on those things they need to survive, or will I find myself, like Ish, disappointed, or having to realign my expectations?
An engaging read, with all the hallmarks of a true classic.
Book Review: In my opinion overrated
Summary: 3 Stars
I read this book about half way in sophmore year, and quit reading it. Now I'm 20 and I decided I'd give it another try. I have about 60 pages left, and I gotta say, this book is one of the slowest I have read, up there with the lord of the rings fellowship. I know it's a classic, but man, I can't even read this book for more than 30 min. at a time. Usually I blaze through books within a few days, but I'm probably on a month and a half with this book. I work a lot, so I dont usually have much time for reading except while I'm going to the bathroom and before bed, but wow. I mean the book is ok, it's not bad, it's just not a pageturner, which is what I usually go for. The main character Ish is very paranoid, thinks to far into detail over everything, and is in my opinion is a coward. I also feel like there is too much side tracking in this book. It's also very repetuous. I feel like there is too much thinking and too little action about anything. In some ways I relate to the main character, because I overthink a lot of things, I'm not the biggest strongest guy, nor the most handy, but that doesn't make it any more interesting of a read. It kind of defeats the purpose of me reading a book. I read to meet interesting characters, be engrossed in a story that is not mine, and to entertain my mind. I don't want to read about a character thinking. If i did want to read about that, I would read a philosophy book and do the thinking myself, or better yet, I'd read nothing and just think. When I think of books taking place in a post apocalyptic world, I think of a little bit more than this gives you. There could have been a lot more interesting scenarios in the depicted world than the one focused on in this book.
I will say though that this book does use an interesting vocabulary, and I've learned a few new words. And the part's in Itallics are by far the best parts of the book. These parts do truly make an impression in your mind, and I would rate these as 5 star. Some of the itallicized parts are very deep and meaningful. I love this quote out of one of those parts "Between the plan and fulfillment stands always the frail barrier of a human life"
Overall: Id say it's worth reading, but it's by far not the best book ever like some of the other reviewers are saying. I liked Cormick Mcarthy's "The Road" as a post apocalyptic story better, it seemed more real, and it moved at a quicker pace.
Book Review: Thought Provoking and Relevant
Summary: 5 Stars
This was by far the best book I've read in a long time, in terms of pure quality. Coming off a run of John Grisham books before it (and after, I'm reading another Grisham story now), it was amazing how different the quality of the story was, and how much more thought-provoking. Grisham tries for some philosophical stuff in his books, but didn't come close to what you find here.
The story itself was Ok...not fascinating alone, though surprising. A few things I certainly didn't expect to happen transpired. But what made it worthwhile was the "what if" factor. Imagine living through the apocalypse. Ponder the questions it raises:
- What would I do? Seek other people? Focus on survival? How to judge others, and how easily to settle in with them?
- How strong are the author's, and lead character's biases in the story? We get their perspective so strongly it's not clear sometimes what the reality is?
- What about Charlie? There's no way I'd make the same vote as the characters in the book - so I think. But if I had lived as they had for 22 years, would that change my opinion? How can I know? (answer to that last question - I can't).
Is there some deeper answer in the book about what the meaning of life really is? If we strip everything we have today away, we go back to a more primal state where the search for food, water, shelter and safety are paramount in our minds. So how much of what we experience now is a product of civilization and society, rather than our true nature? The memorable line which was something like (I don't have the book for a direct quote) "I'm happy. Things are as they are and I'm a part of them." says a lot doesn't it? Goes back to Buddhist philosophy really - focus on the present. When there's no guarantee of the next meal, when there's no shelter because a fire can burn it all down, when wild animals lurk, how much time do we have to ponder, to worry, to debate? And does that make us happier - meeting our primal drive to just...be?
I'd highly recommend this book, my "top" recommendation whatever that means. It covers ecology, philosophy, sociaology and so much more...
I waited almost two years to read it. It's a shame I waited that long.