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A review by scrooge3
After London: or, Wild England by Richard Jefferies
3.0
Published in 1885, this is an early, post-apocalyptic novel. A long essay begins the novel, describing the world in great detail, from biology to politics. A sudden and unspecified catastrophe has depopulated England, the countryside reverts to nature, and the few survivors revert to a quasi-medieval way of life.
The second part of the book is largely a straightforward adventure set in the wild landscape and society. Felix Aquila, the eldest of the three sons of a powerful Baron, sets out on a quest to prove himself worthy of the love of Aurora Thyma. Along the way he encounters various tribes of people, eventually rising to a leadership position among one set of natives. Three of the latter chapters give a disturbing and surreal description of the site of the fallen city of London.
The society that Jefferies depicts after the fall of London is an unpleasant one, with oppressive petty tyrants at war with each other, and insecurity and injustice for the poor. The book has lots of loose ends, which unfortunately Jefferies never tied up. Nevertheless, the book gives a satisfying conclusion, and is an important novel in the history of science fiction.
The second part of the book is largely a straightforward adventure set in the wild landscape and society. Felix Aquila, the eldest of the three sons of a powerful Baron, sets out on a quest to prove himself worthy of the love of Aurora Thyma. Along the way he encounters various tribes of people, eventually rising to a leadership position among one set of natives. Three of the latter chapters give a disturbing and surreal description of the site of the fallen city of London.
The society that Jefferies depicts after the fall of London is an unpleasant one, with oppressive petty tyrants at war with each other, and insecurity and injustice for the poor. The book has lots of loose ends, which unfortunately Jefferies never tied up. Nevertheless, the book gives a satisfying conclusion, and is an important novel in the history of science fiction.