One of my favourite books!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to anyone liking post-apocalyptic stories and even to someone who wouldn't usually read these.

What did you like best about this story?

This story has stayed in my mind since I first read it, I even bought the book earlier this year, but Audible beat me to reading it! What a treat. Just like the whole story and long view.

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Davis and Connie Willis ’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Ish meets Jack. Won't say more as it could be a spoiler.

Any additional comments?

For anyone who hasn't read the book before, please do you best to work through the prologue...I hadn't expected this unwanted interruption to the start of this great story and if I hadn't already read the book, could have been put off listening altogether.

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5 people found this helpful

Disappointed that I have finished it

An excellent thought provoking novel especially during the current Covid virus. I will re-read it

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"Read" because of ties to The Stand

I read somewhere that Stephen Kind read this back in college and that it started him thinking about writing The Stand. I had to give it a listen. Really enjoyed the story , it's a hard slog at times but the overall premise of it is great. Any "end of the human race" genre fan should enjoy this one.

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A Thinker's Book

This is a fairly heartwarming story that pulls few punches. As with many books though while the start builds up the situation nicely it then trails off a bit and is very slow burning. The main protagonist Ish develops strongly throughout the book from the bravado of youth through to the passive vulnerability of the very old.

My problem with the book was that it was just a bit too slow. Ish ponders at great length about many of the developments and by modern standards this slows the story down considerably. There's nothing wrong with that per se but some of the "ponderings" really did amount to little more than listing the possible explanations behind events that had occurred rather than adding anything interesting or useful.

Overall though I'd still recommend this book. It's an interesting look at the social aspects of a post apocalypse world and the author reveals a lot of thinking about base human nature. A good book, but no roller coaster ride!

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15 people found this helpful

Amazing

What made the experience of listening to Earth Abides the most enjoyable?

The easy going pace and the excellent warm narration

What other book might you compare Earth Abides to, and why?

The Day of The Triffids. It is dated but written in a way that totally immerses the listener.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The scene where after 20 years they manage to get a Jeep running to go exploring.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

It's time for a change

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1 person found this helpful

Interesting concept

No real memorable moments but an interesting look into how the world would work if almost all humans where removed from the planet.

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Loved it...real thinker of a novel

What made the experience of listening to Earth Abides the most enjoyable?

Great narrator....excellent thought provoking pieces to a standard recipe. Liked him....disliked him..

What other book might you compare Earth Abides to, and why?

I am legend. The girl with all the gifts.

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Disappointing

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I have deliberately not read any other reviews of this book, in an effort to come to it fresh.I mentioned it to a friend, but only to say I thought it was an interesting comparison with The Day of the Triffids, of almost the same date, which explores various social structures that people try out after the disaster.The book is written in an archaic, mannered style which I found got rather repetitive. After the first shock, which is never really explained, nothing much happens. I found Ish, the protagonist, rather annoying too. He seems to spend about 40 years doing very little to prepare his descendants for the future or pass on any of the accumulated knowledge of his civilisation. For instance, although food, security and other daily living activities do not seem to take much time or energy, he does not teach any of the younger people to read. After a short time, they give up trying to grow food. Ish simply sits and watches as the remnants of US (no suggestion that other countries exist) become hunter gatherers who think the sun goes round the earth. He is completely passive. Maybe the message is that human civilisation will pass away and there's absolutely nothing we can do about it, so no point trying.

What aspect of Jonathan Davis and Connie Willis ’s performance might you have changed?

The narrator uses a rather monotonous, almost reverential tone with little change of pace. I thought there were quite a few false emphases in his reading which changed the meaning from what must have been intended. One character is described as having a tinge of accent from the North of England - and when he speaks, he first sounds like an Australian, and later Irish. These days, we are used to actors producing flawless regional accents so I thought this was quite poor. The voices of other characters are not much distinguished from each other - the narrator just speaks their words. Maybe this was a deliberate choice, I don't know.

Did Earth Abides inspire you to do anything?

Possibly to read some other classic post apocalyptic works.

Any additional comments?

Other annoying features of the story - apparently it was too much trouble to find out how to train horses, although there were horses around immediately after the shock, and there were books in the public library, fodder and plenty of time. However, it seems they had the wherewithal to train dogs for sleds and hunting. Also, when the group gets typhoid, many of them die. Somebody mentions sulphur pills, an early form of antibiotics (which are now the treatment) and discovered in 1932, but they don't bother to go and find any or indeed any other medicines. Several of the adults can read, there is a public library nearby, they have transport and there are ruined drugstores, but they make no effort. Neither does the typhoid experience prompt them to lay in any other medicines afterwards in spite of the fact that disease is their main fear.

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6 people found this helpful

Discover a classic

What did you like most about Earth Abides?

Stewart paints a story of Ish, one man in a vastly depleted America, as well as charting the absence of mankind and its effect on the flora and fauna. It's eminently believable and draws you into what you would imagine to be a grim tale which is often anything but.

What other book might you compare Earth Abides to, and why?

Swan Song from the 1980s covers the fall out from a nuclear war, whereas this book's premise is that a plague has wiped out most of mankind.

What three words best describe Jonathan Davis and Connie Willis ’s voice?

Solidly expressive American

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

What do you do when no-one's left living?

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1 person found this helpful

Wow

I’d never heard of this book before or the author. It was mentioned in a review of another book I’d bought and having read the synopsis I thought it was my kind of thing. I never expected such a deep, sometimes intense and reflective anthology of the end of civilisation. I was completely hooked and although a few times I struggled to keep my attention in some of the slower sections, these were actually some relief from the heavier ones where I could absorb and reflect. I sometimes laughed and often got so emotionally connected I had tears in my eyes. Although written decades ago the story is completely timeless (other than usage of the word gay, I had to chuckle especially as I’m gay myself).
If you want a deep story with what I believe has purity and meaning then this book is for you but I wouldn’t recommend if you prefer light reading only. Thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyable. It’s the type of book that must be read/listened to multiple times to fully understand and appreciate the talent of the author. I felt so connected it was as if I was there myself at times.

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