Scan barcode
Reviews
Notes from an Apocalypse: A Personal Journey to the End of the World and Back by Mark O'Connell
silodear's review against another edition
4.0
It feels a bit strange to say that I really enjoyed reading this book about how we’ve completely destroyed the earth and are totally fucked, but I did. The author is witty and engaging.
cstefko's review against another edition
5.0
4.75 stars
I thoroughly appreciated this read! *Stefon Meyers voice* This book has it all: accessible yet thought-provoking prose, unforgettable descriptions of O"Connell's travels and the people he meets, a deft balance of cultural reporting and personal memoir, and evil villains!! (their names rhyme with Tusk and Spiel).
I truly don't understand the reviews saying that this book was boring, because O'Connell covers a lot of thematic ground. And his dark wit keeps things lively, too (I was surprised to learn that O'Connell falls just outside the age range for the millennial generation because his sense of humor felt so familiar to me). Perhaps in the hands of a less skilled writer, the concept for this book would have devolved into a hot mess. But it really is a pleasure to read (a strange thing to say considering the subject matter, but there you have it).
O'Connell connects so many dots that in hindsight should feel obvious, but are pretty striking the way he lays them out. For example, the overt misogyny and racism of the doomsday prepper movement. Like, of course they are. But here's proof! There's also a strong indictment of capitalism if you're into that (who isn't).
I'd previously read the chapter about his trip to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (here if you'd like a sample!), though it may have been slightly edited in that form because a few of the passages here in the book felt unfamiliar. Anyway, I literally felt on edge reading it, just thinking about the threat of radiation. I had recently watched the HBO series Chernobyl so that made it even more chilling.
It would have been easy for O'Connell's tone to come across as flippant and unduly philosophical (as opposed to grounded and pragmatic), but I thought he struck a measured tone throughout. And what I really appreciated was that his conclusions at the end felt a) somewhat unexpected and b) useful. Because the whole time you're reading this book, you're wondering "dude, how do you even function day to day with the burden of all this anxiety and sense of impotence?" It's not a simple answer, but it was emotionally and intellectually satisfying.
So yes, definitely a book I would unequivocally recommend, except maybe to expecting parents. Wait till after the child has arrived, perhaps...
Fully expect this to still be in my top books of the year by the end of 2020 (the end. of 2020. will we ever get there??).
(and I swear I didn't see the Sally Rooney blurb on the cover until I was already reading it!)
I thoroughly appreciated this read! *Stefon Meyers voice* This book has it all: accessible yet thought-provoking prose, unforgettable descriptions of O"Connell's travels and the people he meets, a deft balance of cultural reporting and personal memoir, and evil villains!! (their names rhyme with Tusk and Spiel).
I truly don't understand the reviews saying that this book was boring, because O'Connell covers a lot of thematic ground. And his dark wit keeps things lively, too (I was surprised to learn that O'Connell falls just outside the age range for the millennial generation because his sense of humor felt so familiar to me). Perhaps in the hands of a less skilled writer, the concept for this book would have devolved into a hot mess. But it really is a pleasure to read (a strange thing to say considering the subject matter, but there you have it).
O'Connell connects so many dots that in hindsight should feel obvious, but are pretty striking the way he lays them out. For example, the overt misogyny and racism of the doomsday prepper movement. Like, of course they are. But here's proof! There's also a strong indictment of capitalism if you're into that (who isn't).
I'd previously read the chapter about his trip to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (here if you'd like a sample!), though it may have been slightly edited in that form because a few of the passages here in the book felt unfamiliar. Anyway, I literally felt on edge reading it, just thinking about the threat of radiation. I had recently watched the HBO series Chernobyl so that made it even more chilling.
It would have been easy for O'Connell's tone to come across as flippant and unduly philosophical (as opposed to grounded and pragmatic), but I thought he struck a measured tone throughout. And what I really appreciated was that his conclusions at the end felt a) somewhat unexpected and b) useful. Because the whole time you're reading this book, you're wondering "dude, how do you even function day to day with the burden of all this anxiety and sense of impotence?" It's not a simple answer, but it was emotionally and intellectually satisfying.
So yes, definitely a book I would unequivocally recommend, except maybe to expecting parents. Wait till after the child has arrived, perhaps...
Fully expect this to still be in my top books of the year by the end of 2020 (the end. of 2020. will we ever get there??).
(and I swear I didn't see the Sally Rooney blurb on the cover until I was already reading it!)
desirosie's review against another edition
5.0
Technically I finished this book a few days ago, but only just finished taking down my notes in my book of “Stuff and Things.”
I am giving this book 5 stars not because I technically “loved it,” but because it was significant and meaningful to me.
I struggle with the idea of “the end of the world” everyday that I take a breath, more so because I have a child and the world he will live in weighs heavily on me. O’Connell tackles this emotional and existential problem from a personal perspective and much of it speaks directly to me.
I am giving this book 5 stars not because I technically “loved it,” but because it was significant and meaningful to me.
I struggle with the idea of “the end of the world” everyday that I take a breath, more so because I have a child and the world he will live in weighs heavily on me. O’Connell tackles this emotional and existential problem from a personal perspective and much of it speaks directly to me.
bgg616's review against another edition
4.0
Researched and written before the COVID pandemic, this book turned out to be very timely. The writer has been fascinated by/obsessed by the topic of the apocalypse since childhood. He travels around the world investigating groups (and individuals) preparing to survive an apocalypse. The most telling (and scary) chapters dealt with plans to explore Mars for future habitation, primarily by the super rich. This illuminated the rationale for the obsessions with space of Bezos and Musk. There are billionaires and super millionaires buying up huge tracts in New Zealand where they plan to escape to as the apocalypse nears. He visits Chernobyl and a strange settlement in South Dakotas where semi-underground bunkers are being sold.
This topic is depressing, yet O'Connell addresses important questions including why would anyone want to bring children into this world (he has two young children). Many chapters were illuminating. Even his obsession wasn't didn't seem completely off the wall. I remember books ([b:On the Beach|38180|On the Beach|Nevil Shute|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327943327l/38180._SY75_.jpg|963772] and films about nuclear war that preoccupied me as a teenager. The current climate crisis is real, and while there is much to worry us, humans have long been concerned about the end of the world.
This topic is depressing, yet O'Connell addresses important questions including why would anyone want to bring children into this world (he has two young children). Many chapters were illuminating. Even his obsession wasn't didn't seem completely off the wall. I remember books ([b:On the Beach|38180|On the Beach|Nevil Shute|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327943327l/38180._SY75_.jpg|963772] and films about nuclear war that preoccupied me as a teenager. The current climate crisis is real, and while there is much to worry us, humans have long been concerned about the end of the world.
irmh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
charlottaliukas's review against another edition
The title fittingly explains the premise of the book, exploring different preparations for the end of the world with a lot of personal reflection. It’s a classic journey-around-the-world book by a 30-something Dubliner distressed about the doomed planet. The author visits the US prepper movement, New Zealand (standing in for the future where Peter Thiel and his ilk will retreat after the collapse of civilization), Mars colonists, and Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. The travelogues are interspersed by conversations with the author’s therapist and his young son.
Lots of beautiful navel-gazing and intellectual factoids, and the book was well structured to keep me occupied and read it in a few chunks. I feel like I’ve spent the whole spring reading up on white, educated 30 and 40 somethings musing on about a looming collapse, and I think maybe this book didn’t happen at the right moment for me.
Lots of beautiful navel-gazing and intellectual factoids, and the book was well structured to keep me occupied and read it in a few chunks. I feel like I’ve spent the whole spring reading up on white, educated 30 and 40 somethings musing on about a looming collapse, and I think maybe this book didn’t happen at the right moment for me.
rozarka's review against another edition
2.0
I should have investigated better before picking up this book. I thought it was some kind of a sociological study of different groups centering around the end of the world (as we know it), from midwestern preppers to billionaires building expensive retreats in New Zealand's mountains. It was about that, but only marginally. It was first and foremost a personal memoir, with lots of musings about the author's fears and anxieties, his travels, books he had read (lots of quotes and name droppings), and his political views.
I'll be honest. If it had been any longer than 200 pages, I would have dropped it. I am not interested in memoirs, and there was not much other information in here. Actually, in the second half, there was none.
I'll be honest. If it had been any longer than 200 pages, I would have dropped it. I am not interested in memoirs, and there was not much other information in here. Actually, in the second half, there was none.
coldbuckwheatnoodles's review against another edition
4.0
I liked O'Connells writing style a lot and really enjoyed his observations on intersections which made his book very insightful in many regards. His journeys to different places were quite interesting as well. I am not sure what to think of his conclusions about parenting though..
katelyn94's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0