A review by jdeveret
The End of the World Running Club by Adrian J. Walker

3.0

I expected to like this book . Post-apocalyptic survival? Good. Protagonist is a husband and father? Good. Running is a featured theme? Good. So I was a bit disappointed to be underwhelmed in the end. The book read OK, and the plot, although somewhat contrived, moved along pretty well. My biggest issue was that Edgar is, frankly, a really unlikable guy. And I know that is kind of the point, and that

Spoiler

his experiences lead to some sort of character growth, but I couldn't quite buy it. His incompetence in many facets of basic survival should have led his companions to ditch him numerous times, yet they continually prop him up and deal with his faults, even at risk to their own well being. And I didn't feel like the others in the quintet, with the possible exception of Harvey, were developed much beyond 2D characters serving to bolster some aspect of Edgar's inadequacies. One thing I do like is that the twist at the end when he finds Beth and the kids seems a bit symbolic (in keeping with the religious theme of his vision while lost in the valley), in that he has atoned for his sins but must still do his penance.

Overall, I found the book to be a decent read, but I was hoping for more.