Reviews

Walk the Vanished Earth by Erin Swan

Only show reviews with written explanations

peishantb's review against another edition

3.0

This is an unusual book. There's plenty of ugliness in the story. There are some tender moments and beauty in it too. I do love how the stories were told, and I love how the characters were developed. I read it, and I finished it without picking up another book in the duration, which is a rare feat for me these days and is a testament to the writing. Some books are written for pure enjoyment. Thrill ride, fluffy cotton candy like fun, or something silly to let the readers escape reality for however long the book lasted. Some books are written to provoke thoughts or to examine a theme. It may be about survival, or family dynamics, or about hope. It was clear that this book does not belong in the first camp, but I also can't quite tell what theme it's meant to explore. Is it human resilience? The effect of climate change? The want to survive? This is also not a comforting book. It unsettles. Maybe that's the purpose?

There is a supernatural thread that ran throughout the story, but I don't think it's needed. It's not a story about "the chosen one", and the "prophecy" has no import. Take it away and the story still flows. Great writing nonetheless.

carbonnanoman's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Really loved the writing in this one. A sci-fi story about generations of a family set to the backdrop of climate disaster. Trigger warning for child abuse.

gabrielleint's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This is a masterful, spare, and sweeping climate fiction. I really loved it.

hayleyscomment's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This was beautifully written and orchestrated, but it didn’t quite live up to my high hopes. The characters are mostly well illustrated, as is the description of a slow climate change disaster punctuated by dramatic climate change disasters. I was touched by the sometimes thoughtful interrogation of motherhood. But the concept, scale, and supernatural threads seemed to promise a payoff that never quite arrived.

deadbeatdave's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark slow-paced

2.75

mesal's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious slow-paced

3.75

Really, really, really slow and a bit creepy with the whole pioneer new breed plotline, but on the whole it was a great read. A hell of a workout to finally reach that ending, though!