A review by littlewitch_ruth
Notes from an Apocalypse: A Personal Journey to the End of the World and Back by Mark O'Connell

3.0

This book definitely hits the nail on the head when it comes to relatability. Although apocalypse visions of a near-future of ruin and decay are hard to avoid in the world right now, I have always had a fascination with this eschatological present and the ways people react to this. The ground that O’Connell explores (preppers, Mars colonisers, Chernobyl tours) are very apt at exploring this. His insights especially on the truth behind them and the groups of people who desire these situations are extremely interesting, too. At times, I think the book veers slightly too much introspectively. Every chapter seems to end with him seeing something on the street and linking it back to various philosophical musings - at points it feels like a diary. Which is fine, of course, it’s his personal journey and emotional thoughts are good for thinking about the apocalypse, but sometimes I was left wanting more facts and explorations of what was happening at the time rather than what could be. The biggest emotional push in this book is how much this man loves his children. It’s adorable and tragic how the apocalypse and this man’s family are so intertwined for him, how death cannot exist without birth. It’s very sweet and makes it very poignant (on this note, though, the edition I own features a lot of reviews on the front and back which say how funny this book is, such as the Irish Independent calling is ‘one hell of a funny book’. O’Connell has natural wit and warmth which makes it a joy to read, but I don’t think the humour is the main facet of the writing? The emphasis on how funny it is confused me).
In conclusion, I knew a lot of it already but that’s my fault for having an interest in it anyway. It’s a very enjoyable and poignant read, written very well. Very good :)