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alfie_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
It’s by no means a bad book but I there’s nothing overly special that would warrant reading it.
cabeswaren's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nebulous_tide's review against another edition
5.0
Very good apocalyptic tale. Reminiscent of Wyndham and Golding. Harrowing and unsettlingly close to home.
claudia_c's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
tobymacl's review against another edition
5.0
Crackerjack scifi adventure romp. The Chung-Li virus evolves until it destroys all grasses, and sweeps the world. The speed of it, the drastic plans made by nations and individuals, the rapid rending of the societal fabric, all make for a gripping and enthralling story even as it follows a small group of uninspiring people. It hasn’t aged badly at all, in spite of the of-it’s-time sexism and slightly hammy dialogue. The parallels with the Covid lockdown felt very fresh.
badseedgirl's review against another edition
4.0
The entire time I was reading The Death of Grass by John Christopher I could not help but compare it to some of the other “end of the world” novel I have read. But the thing this novel reminded me of most was the 1962 movie “Panic in the Year Zero.” This is a cult classic staring and directed by Ray Milland and a surprisingly good performance by Frankie Avalon. I can only imagine that this novel must have been shocking when it was released in 1956. It deals frankly with the aftermath of the breakdown of society. From the necessity to perform unspeakable violence in the name of self-preservation, to a frank portrayal of the aftermath of rape, this novel covers it all, and in an honest and realistic way without overt descriptions of the violence, but instead focusing more on the aftermath. The movie “Panic” gave me that same feeling.
The biggest irony of this novel for me was the idea that the main character is traveling across England to try and save his children from starving to death or becoming savages doing anything to survive, cannibalism is mentioned more than once, but the most violent people in the novel were John and his group. When his group is robbed of their supplies on the road, the men who did it were pretty friendly about it, allowing them to take some items for their survival. When they rob the next house they come to for supplies, they kill almost an entire family to do it. And they did it without much guilt. They seemed to use “my family needs to survive” as justification for any horrible act, and yet they still feel they are in the right.
I really enjoyed this novel and was sorry it ended so abruptly. If anything that is my major complaint with it. It almost felt like Mr. Christopher just decided he did not want to write the book anymore and so he just tacked on a hurried ending to get it over with. It almost felt like there should be another 25 to 50 pages to this book.
3.5 of 5 stars
The biggest irony of this novel for me was the idea that the main character is traveling across England to try and save his children from starving to death or becoming savages doing anything to survive, cannibalism is mentioned more than once, but the most violent people in the novel were John and his group. When his group is robbed of their supplies on the road, the men who did it were pretty friendly about it, allowing them to take some items for their survival. When they rob the next house they come to for supplies, they kill almost an entire family to do it. And they did it without much guilt. They seemed to use “my family needs to survive” as justification for any horrible act, and yet they still feel they are in the right.
I really enjoyed this novel and was sorry it ended so abruptly. If anything that is my major complaint with it. It almost felt like Mr. Christopher just decided he did not want to write the book anymore and so he just tacked on a hurried ending to get it over with. It almost felt like there should be another 25 to 50 pages to this book.
3.5 of 5 stars
aoc's review against another edition
4.0
In almost classical fashion The Death of Grass best portrays how external events kickstarting catastrophes aren't necessarily the main things to watch out for, but rather the degradation of our society that is sure to follow. I'd say it's an exaggerated case caused by one outrageous decision... and I'm not even talking about the global virus threatening to end humanity's existence here.
For a novel starting with a flashback concerning David and John, two brothers ultimately destined for different careers as one becomes a potato farmer in a secluded valley while other goes on to become an engineer, it focuses exclusively on the latter one. Sadly, things are decidedly not good as so-called Chung-Li virus comes into existence and strikes at rice crops causing massive famines in Asia. World is quick to provide whatever assistance possible. Things go from bad to worse as virus mutates and new strains target all grass staples like wheat, oats, barley, etc. Even after numerous scientific attempts at resolving the crisis and years of global belt tightening it would appear there's no solution in sight. It is at this point that John Custance decides to take his and friend Roger's family across England to David's farm hoping to ride out the storm. Our story proper begins.
Which is interesting because while the onset of famine plays a prominent role and instigates MANY morally dubious moments in the story it is firmly in the background of our characters' months long journey following English government's decides to go pants-on-head crazy in a scheme that would lower the island's population resulting in social breakdown with roaming groups forming and trying to eke a living out of ever dwindling supplies. Significant part of their merry band is an old veteran Pirrie bringing significant gun expertise as well as troublesome character as order continue to degrade. Or, should I say, he seeks to propagate his own order now that "time of committees is over". I'd say cast is generally what you would expect - balanced, yet reluctant leader who steps up to the role, more diplomatic friend who ultimately finds himself sidelined by a military second-in-command. Difference being a lesser work would've likely indulged in cheap drama like backstabbing whereas our party accepts John as their leader and he makes concessions knowing they're not the best, but days of having the privilege to choose the best are long behind them. This is the reason why their group manages to endure in fact of many character-breaking moments.
I caught myself thinking whether The Death of Grass was too fast paced because it's a lot of hand waved travel broken by couple of events, but in hindsight I think it's spot-on. This is not some distant post-apocalyptic scenario where everything has fallen to pieces. There are bandits and consequences, but we also see many other groups trying to do the exact same thing our protagonists are still making use of roads and vehicles where possible. Ending is one part I was not satisfied with because John should have considered it a likely turn of events, and if not him then Pirrie. On the other hand I can also understand "reaching the farm" being the end goal that managed to enfranchise his ever-growing party to now Mr. Custance as their figure head. Does power change a man? This question is left hanging in the air with no answer in sight.
A brisk story taking the time to expound upon important elements all within 200 odd pages makes The Death of Grass an easy read.
For a novel starting with a flashback concerning David and John, two brothers ultimately destined for different careers as one becomes a potato farmer in a secluded valley while other goes on to become an engineer, it focuses exclusively on the latter one. Sadly, things are decidedly not good as so-called Chung-Li virus comes into existence and strikes at rice crops causing massive famines in Asia. World is quick to provide whatever assistance possible. Things go from bad to worse as virus mutates and new strains target all grass staples like wheat, oats, barley, etc. Even after numerous scientific attempts at resolving the crisis and years of global belt tightening it would appear there's no solution in sight. It is at this point that John Custance decides to take his and friend Roger's family across England to David's farm hoping to ride out the storm. Our story proper begins.
Which is interesting because while the onset of famine plays a prominent role and instigates MANY morally dubious moments in the story it is firmly in the background of our characters' months long journey following English government's decides to go pants-on-head crazy in a scheme that would lower the island's population resulting in social breakdown with roaming groups forming and trying to eke a living out of ever dwindling supplies. Significant part of their merry band is an old veteran Pirrie bringing significant gun expertise as well as troublesome character as order continue to degrade. Or, should I say, he seeks to propagate his own order now that "time of committees is over". I'd say cast is generally what you would expect - balanced, yet reluctant leader who steps up to the role, more diplomatic friend who ultimately finds himself sidelined by a military second-in-command. Difference being a lesser work would've likely indulged in cheap drama like backstabbing whereas our party accepts John as their leader and he makes concessions knowing they're not the best, but days of having the privilege to choose the best are long behind them. This is the reason why their group manages to endure in fact of many character-breaking moments.
I caught myself thinking whether The Death of Grass was too fast paced because it's a lot of hand waved travel broken by couple of events, but in hindsight I think it's spot-on. This is not some distant post-apocalyptic scenario where everything has fallen to pieces. There are bandits and consequences, but we also see many other groups trying to do the exact same thing our protagonists are still making use of roads and vehicles where possible. Ending is one part I was not satisfied with because John should have considered it a likely turn of events, and if not him then Pirrie. On the other hand I can also understand "reaching the farm" being the end goal that managed to enfranchise his ever-growing party to now Mr. Custance as their figure head. Does power change a man? This question is left hanging in the air with no answer in sight.
A brisk story taking the time to expound upon important elements all within 200 odd pages makes The Death of Grass an easy read.
euzie's review against another edition
3.0
Entertaining "read in a day". Almost akin to a mid 20th centruy English version of the road (they do stop to have tea).
Sadly it does rush itself occasionally
Sadly it does rush itself occasionally
stockholm_syndrome's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
metcren's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0