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A review by aoc
The Death of Grass by John Christopher
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.