Earth Abides

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Craig Crispin, January 26, 2011 (view all comments by Craig Crispin)
While in the Science Fiction genre, more truly a study of human nature, of the ages of man, and of civilization as a living, changing entity. Stewart's ability to capture the soul of Ish, from tender youth to dying old man, provides the human flesh for the skeleton science fiction story line.

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Frenchy10-4, April 9, 2008 (view all comments by Frenchy10-4)
The best book ever written!!!!! Well at least the best I've read. First read it back in college. My sociology professor assigned it saying it was a good illustration of many sociological concepts. It is that, but it is so much more. The story, pacing, character development, just everything is top notch. The fact that it is classified sci-fi means that readers who stay away due to a preconceived notion of what sci-fi is, or is not miss out on a fantastic read. Isherwood Williams for president in 2008 and 2012.

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powelltimothy, November 10, 2006 (view all comments by powelltimothy)
This novel should be on every discerning reader's top 5 list. Ish, the iconic "last man on earth" was based metaphorically on a Native American in California who was reportedly the last of his tribe. In this apocalyptic story, Ish faces the end of the world with hopes of recreating a new society, in the process meeting an African-American woman who he chooses as his new mate. Unfortunately, Ish's dream of a new world goes by the wayside and he witnesses the last descent of mankind back to the stone age. The ground-breaking approach to world destruction and its revolutionary (for the time) treatment of racial issues was particularly powerful in the mid-20th century when the book was published, and influenced many contemporary artists, most famously Jimi Hendrix. "Earth Abides" was Hendrix's favorite novel, and inspired some of the songs on his first album "Are You Experienced", most notably "Third Stone from the Sun." I dreamed of this story for months after reading it, haunted by the last tragic scene and imagery of a decaying, crumbling world. Unlike later apocalyptic writers, such as Stephen King in IT, there is no great battle of good vs. evil - the world dies in complacency and superstition, retaining only a rudimentary use of tools and healthy skepticism of Ish's stories of the glorious past. Highly, highly, highly recommended.

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Product Details

ISBN:

9780345487131

Author:

Stewart, George R

Publisher:

Del Rey Books

Author:

Stewart, George R.

Author:

Stewart, George Rippey

Subject:

Science Fiction - General

Subject:

Plague

Subject:

Science fiction

Subject:

Science / General

Subject:

Science Fiction and Fantasy-A to Z

Copyright:

2006

Edition Description:

Trade paper

Publication Date:

20060331

Binding:

TRADE PAPER

Grade Level:

General/trade

Language:

English

Pages:

345

Dimensions:

8.18x5.62x.82 in. .63 lbs.