Scan barcode
nolegirl's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book in 9th grade English class (yeah Mrs. Bowles!). It was tough reading it and knowing that just a couple of miles away was NAS Jax and about 35 miles away was Mayport. The author is local to this area, so that was part of why we read it, plus our teacher wanted us to read something that would make us think.
ogreart's review against another edition
5.0
Reread June 1980.
Reread May 1980.
Reread October 1978.
Read June 1977
Reread May 1980.
Reread October 1978.
Read June 1977
leesmyth's review against another edition
5.0
It was really, really good. I wiped away some tears early on at scenes of people doing what they believe to be their duty in the face of imminent death and destruction. (Like saints or martyrs willing to be tortured and killed rather than disavow their unseen God, or men of unyielding will fighting the long defeat with the gods of Asgard against the monsters, or waves of people in District 5 throwing themselves against the Peacekeepers' barrage of bullets to bring down the dam.)
There were also moments of connection, of love and levity, of ingenuity and even occasional good fortune for likeable characters.
There were also moments of connection, of love and levity, of ingenuity and even occasional good fortune for likeable characters.
suzemo's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book early in high school, thanks to a summer reading list. It single-handedly began my love of post-apocalyptic fiction.
bright_night's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
stephenmeansme's review against another edition
5.0
Probably the only post-nuclear-war book anyone would need to read.
mickey_d's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was incredible from the first line. The tension was present from line one, and it just all felt so real. I dreamed about this book after having only read the first 30 pages. The characters were so well done. The scenarios were so realistic. When the author could have gone fantastical, he chose to go subtle and that was always the right choice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Grief, Drug use, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Suicide, Gun violence, War, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, Alcohol, and Drug abuse
jboh's review against another edition
4.0
Not bad. Would’ve preferred an ending with less hope of normality. Nonetheless a worthwhile read.
lizella's review against another edition
4.0
first read Alas, Babylon as required reading in 6th grade. I couldn’t remember the name of the book or author, but would remember bits and pieces and hoped I would run across it again one day. It was one of the first apocalyptic stories I read and introduced me to a genre that I have revisited frequently. After finally finding it again and giving it another read, it held up to my expectations.
Set in cold war America, Alas, Babylon explores the potential aftermath of nuclear war. While the specific circumstances of the threat to life as we know it may have changed, current threats are just as real, preserving its relevance. In many ways, the more technologically advanced our society becomes, the more varied and catastrophic the consequences.
Fort Repose, a small town in Florida is the setting for this survival story centered on a small group of neighbors. The book chronicles the hardships and triumphs, ingenuity and tenacity of people who have to figure out how to live without the necessities of modern life in a town cut off from the rest of the world. Frank explores the scenario in all aspects from loss of electricity and fuel, to the return to the barter system and upheaval of class and society infrastructure. The story’s structure puts the reader in the middle of the situation and makes you wonder how you would fare in similar circumstances. While Alas, Babylon does take some dark turns, on a whole, it is a story of hope despite an uncertain future.
Set in cold war America, Alas, Babylon explores the potential aftermath of nuclear war. While the specific circumstances of the threat to life as we know it may have changed, current threats are just as real, preserving its relevance. In many ways, the more technologically advanced our society becomes, the more varied and catastrophic the consequences.
Fort Repose, a small town in Florida is the setting for this survival story centered on a small group of neighbors. The book chronicles the hardships and triumphs, ingenuity and tenacity of people who have to figure out how to live without the necessities of modern life in a town cut off from the rest of the world. Frank explores the scenario in all aspects from loss of electricity and fuel, to the return to the barter system and upheaval of class and society infrastructure. The story’s structure puts the reader in the middle of the situation and makes you wonder how you would fare in similar circumstances. While Alas, Babylon does take some dark turns, on a whole, it is a story of hope despite an uncertain future.