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mbenzz's review against another edition
4.0
Great story. Definitely a slow-burn apocalypse book. Don’t go into this thinking it’s action-packed and full of gun fights and fights for survival, because it isn’t. It’s a man who survives a catastrophic sickness that wipes out around 99% of the worlds population. It’s about how he criss-crosses the country looking for survivors and how he lives out the rest of his life. It’s an extremely realistic look at the apocalypse, not a zombie filled thriller, which I despise. Overall, a great book. Highly recommend. Pretty dated, as it was written in 1949, but still extremely readable.
wildweasel105's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know whether or not it was coincidental that I read this book during COVID-19, but I can honestly tell you the demise of mankind due to a worldwide pandemic as told by George Stewart in his 1949 novel was a distraction from the daily news of today's pandemic. Stewart uses a profound sense of seeing the Earth, finally free from the "infestation" of man, as a way to almost justify this apocalypse.
I'm not a fan of post-apocalyptic SF, per se, and have only read Stephen King's "The Stand" about 30 years ago. However, Stewart does not linger in the horror, or macabre details of carnage following the pandemic. Nor, is there a major battle between warring factions left to inherit the earth.
Instead, there is a "thinking man's" approach to everyday problems and the final realization that education is the true determinant of the success of civilization.
It is rather dated in its description of household items, automobiles and technology, but he wrote this in 1949... when it was supposed to be "fresh" in the minds of its readers then.
I'm not a fan of post-apocalyptic SF, per se, and have only read Stephen King's "The Stand" about 30 years ago. However, Stewart does not linger in the horror, or macabre details of carnage following the pandemic. Nor, is there a major battle between warring factions left to inherit the earth.
Instead, there is a "thinking man's" approach to everyday problems and the final realization that education is the true determinant of the success of civilization.
It is rather dated in its description of household items, automobiles and technology, but he wrote this in 1949... when it was supposed to be "fresh" in the minds of its readers then.
stephen_arvidson's review against another edition
4.0
“Men go and come, but earth abides”
For a story that was first published in 1949, Earth Abides remains relevant now more than ever. Mass plague vectored through air travel has been featured in a number of recent films (i.e. Contagion, Outbreak), TV shows, and yes, even the news. Set between the European Black Death of the late 1600s and the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s Earth Abides explores the waning hopes, hardships, and resignation of plague survivors of present-day California.
With only a tiny fraction of the world's population persisting after a catastrophic event in civilization, how would you fare? What wisdom would you pass on to those younger than you?
In George R. Stewart's post-holocaust novel, protagonist Isherwood “Ish” Williams, discovers that a virulent plague has wiped out nearly all of humanity, leaving only a handful of shell-shocked survivors in its wake. Armed with little more than a hammer and his philosophical prowess, Ish attempts to reestablish American civilization in a small suburban community overlooking San Francisco Bay. While the rest of the survivors live day-to-day and subsist on vast stockpiles of canned food, Ish strives to retain the knowledge of the past, preserving libraries, teaching his offspring—including his gifted son, Joey—all the facts and achievements of his bygone civilization. In time, Ish becomes an almost God-like figure, the "Last American" in the eyes of the younger generations, his old hammer being the symbol of his power. Uncomfortable with his deification and his near absolute authority over the tribe, Ish realizes that the people have become far too complacent and dependent upon him. When new threats emerge and the crumbling infrastructure no longer supports his community, Ish must abandon his dreams of resurrecting society and teach his people the most basic and practical skills of survival.
Ish is a very cerebral and introverted fellow—a walking Farmer’s Almanac, if you will. At times, readers may be frustrated by his constant brooding and pale, clinical views. Many may be turned off by his questioning of a mentally challenged girl’s right to reproduce. Conversely, Ish becomes a more interesting character near the novel's end whilst standing in stark contrast to his descendents, a simple hunting and gathering tribe. Primitive-like children with no concept of technology, history, literature, medicine, and all other forms of knowledge, obeying the rudimentary laws of nature; and although they’re aware that they’re living amidst the ruins of a dead civilization, they can only perceive the makers of that collapsed society as the mythical beings.
Earth Abides isn't without its shortcomings. There's not much in the way of dialogue or character development; the pacing is dawdling and sensationalist action is nowhere to be found. To its credit, the novel is a thoughtful tale of a devastated culture struggling to survive. Plodding albeit wonderfully written, Earth Abides is brilliant and thought-provoking in regards to its sober examination of not only human integrity but also the questions of what makes a civilization work, and how to reestablish one from the ruins. Readers looking for escapist literature will see this book as hard reading, but others will hopefully appreciate the book’s philosophical insight and poignant message about the human condition that remains true today.
For a story that was first published in 1949, Earth Abides remains relevant now more than ever. Mass plague vectored through air travel has been featured in a number of recent films (i.e. Contagion, Outbreak), TV shows, and yes, even the news. Set between the European Black Death of the late 1600s and the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s Earth Abides explores the waning hopes, hardships, and resignation of plague survivors of present-day California.
With only a tiny fraction of the world's population persisting after a catastrophic event in civilization, how would you fare? What wisdom would you pass on to those younger than you?
In George R. Stewart's post-holocaust novel, protagonist Isherwood “Ish” Williams, discovers that a virulent plague has wiped out nearly all of humanity, leaving only a handful of shell-shocked survivors in its wake. Armed with little more than a hammer and his philosophical prowess, Ish attempts to reestablish American civilization in a small suburban community overlooking San Francisco Bay. While the rest of the survivors live day-to-day and subsist on vast stockpiles of canned food, Ish strives to retain the knowledge of the past, preserving libraries, teaching his offspring—including his gifted son, Joey—all the facts and achievements of his bygone civilization. In time, Ish becomes an almost God-like figure, the "Last American" in the eyes of the younger generations, his old hammer being the symbol of his power. Uncomfortable with his deification and his near absolute authority over the tribe, Ish realizes that the people have become far too complacent and dependent upon him. When new threats emerge and the crumbling infrastructure no longer supports his community, Ish must abandon his dreams of resurrecting society and teach his people the most basic and practical skills of survival.
Ish is a very cerebral and introverted fellow—a walking Farmer’s Almanac, if you will. At times, readers may be frustrated by his constant brooding and pale, clinical views. Many may be turned off by his questioning of a mentally challenged girl’s right to reproduce. Conversely, Ish becomes a more interesting character near the novel's end whilst standing in stark contrast to his descendents, a simple hunting and gathering tribe. Primitive-like children with no concept of technology, history, literature, medicine, and all other forms of knowledge, obeying the rudimentary laws of nature; and although they’re aware that they’re living amidst the ruins of a dead civilization, they can only perceive the makers of that collapsed society as the mythical beings.
Earth Abides isn't without its shortcomings. There's not much in the way of dialogue or character development; the pacing is dawdling and sensationalist action is nowhere to be found. To its credit, the novel is a thoughtful tale of a devastated culture struggling to survive. Plodding albeit wonderfully written, Earth Abides is brilliant and thought-provoking in regards to its sober examination of not only human integrity but also the questions of what makes a civilization work, and how to reestablish one from the ruins. Readers looking for escapist literature will see this book as hard reading, but others will hopefully appreciate the book’s philosophical insight and poignant message about the human condition that remains true today.
emilyf's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Racism, and Ableism
Moderate: Death
Minor: Child abuse
marquettelaree's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
adammuly's review against another edition
4.0
This a really interesting take on the apocalyptic novel. It was strange and ironic reading it during the corona virus pandemic uproar, especially since the book is about a sickness wiping out most of the population.
It is a little slow at first. However, if you get past chapter 6 or 7 the book really picks up and gives some great commentary on society and humanity. In some ways it is a love letter to the earth. It is well worth it! It’s not quite like any other pandemic story I’ve read or watched. I enjoyed it.
It is a little slow at first. However, if you get past chapter 6 or 7 the book really picks up and gives some great commentary on society and humanity. In some ways it is a love letter to the earth. It is well worth it! It’s not quite like any other pandemic story I’ve read or watched. I enjoyed it.
mssunnyskies's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
subparcupcake's review against another edition
1.0
I did not like this, Dawn I am.
Boring. Antiquated. Boring. Asshole character. Boring. Did I mention boring?
Nothing happens. Plot goes no where. Everyone dies on page one... And that's pretty much it. I have no idea what the point of the rest of the pages was.
Main character, Ich, was a pompous douche. I get that it's partially a matter of the time period the book takes place in, but it's also partially a matter of him being a know it all full of himself dick.
And honestly.. The way he was portrayed.. He's around 20 (I think) when the disaster happens. By the end of the book he's an elderly man. His personality? Exactly the same as when he was 20. Meaning? The 20 year old version of Ich is written as a partially senile old man. Considering the fact that Stewart was 65 when he wrote the book, it doesn't surprise me.. I don't think he knew how to write a young man and so Ich came across seeming like he was 50 or 60 rather than 20.
Regardless, this is all beside my point. My point is that I didn't like this book, it was ridiculously boring, and it fills me with rage. So glad to be done with it!
Boring. Antiquated. Boring. Asshole character. Boring. Did I mention boring?
Nothing happens. Plot goes no where. Everyone dies on page one... And that's pretty much it. I have no idea what the point of the rest of the pages was.
Main character, Ich, was a pompous douche. I get that it's partially a matter of the time period the book takes place in, but it's also partially a matter of him being a know it all full of himself dick.
And honestly.. The way he was portrayed.. He's around 20 (I think) when the disaster happens. By the end of the book he's an elderly man. His personality? Exactly the same as when he was 20. Meaning? The 20 year old version of Ich is written as a partially senile old man. Considering the fact that Stewart was 65 when he wrote the book, it doesn't surprise me.. I don't think he knew how to write a young man and so Ich came across seeming like he was 50 or 60 rather than 20.
Regardless, this is all beside my point. My point is that I didn't like this book, it was ridiculously boring, and it fills me with rage. So glad to be done with it!
waynediane's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting in plague destroys mankind on earth. (Book written 1949!) A man survives find others propagates has generations and goes from guns to bow and arrows. Realizes that water is not abundant and plentiful over 40 years. Tribes and going back to the land. Education? The hammer a symbol of power- idol?
lamentconfiguration's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
It wasn't easy to read this book, not at first. Ish annoyed me -- not as much as he might have annoyed other readers in my age group or younger, judging by some of the reviews I've seen, but there were definitely moments -- and I hadn't fully bought into the Great Disaster as a concept, but over time I grew to understand this less as a scientifically- and mechanically-sound study of a post-apocalyptic Earth, but more as a study of Isherwood Williams. A blustery, self-absorbed windbag of a young man who eventually grows into a slightly less blustery, self-absorbed windbag of an old man, much as he would have done whether the world had ended or not. I speak in fondness, now, because I like Ish. He is not particularly "a loveable character", especially now after certain shifts in the collective consciousness, but I like him.
I had a moment of wishing there was a story about the Black family he'd encountered in the South instead of this so-called "intellectual" who briefly imagined himself lording over them (christ), but I realise that that story probably does exist now; it isn't 1949 anymore, and plenty of remarkable science fiction from the perspectives of people of colour is but a google search away. This is a time-capsule of a book, and is honest in its presentation. That will chafe, certainly, but I don't think it takes away from the value of this story, and the questions that turn over and over in Ish's mind. It was interesting to muse on whether I -- as far removed from Ish's experience as another American could be -- would suffer the same shortsightedness he did, or whether some other kind of shortsightedness would befall me, or whether I would even survive at all.
I am fond of this book, in the same way I am fond of movies like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. I don't fully understand these kinds of protagonists -- again, being far removed from their experience, a spectator to their internal worlds -- and sometimes they seem dusty and eye-rollingly obtuse from my perspective, but they're all right.
I had a moment of wishing there was a story about the Black family he'd encountered in the South instead of this so-called "intellectual" who briefly imagined himself lording over them (christ), but I realise that that story probably does exist now; it isn't 1949 anymore, and plenty of remarkable science fiction from the perspectives of people of colour is but a google search away. This is a time-capsule of a book, and is honest in its presentation. That will chafe, certainly, but I don't think it takes away from the value of this story, and the questions that turn over and over in Ish's mind. It was interesting to muse on whether I -- as far removed from Ish's experience as another American could be -- would suffer the same shortsightedness he did, or whether some other kind of shortsightedness would befall me, or whether I would even survive at all.
I am fond of this book, in the same way I am fond of movies like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. I don't fully understand these kinds of protagonists -- again, being far removed from their experience, a spectator to their internal worlds -- and sometimes they seem dusty and eye-rollingly obtuse from my perspective, but they're all right.