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Posted: 23-01-2012 01:55 Post subject: Survivalist fiction/TEOTWAWKI stories?

Hi all,

I'm looking for help and a point in the right direction regarding a genre I think I'm interested in.

I'm becoming fascinated with End of the World scenarios; the lone survivor in a desolate city, human ingenuity put to the test etc. After watching countless movies I realised I've never read anything with this as the theme and I think I would love it. The problem I'm having is even naming the genre (or even sub genre) to begin my search.

I suppose my interest is quite specific. I'm not so much interested in the sci-fi, post nuclear struggle set in the near future- more of the personal struggle of the survivor. What if it happened tomorrow, in todays society?

The images from various movies spring to mind and I am equally horrified and excited by the mental image of waking one morning to find I am one of only a handful of people left in the city/country/world. What would I do and how would I cope?

So, can anyone tell me the name of the genre I am interested in and maybe suggest a few authors to get me started?

Posted: 23-01-2012 02:40 Post subject:

Well heres a pic of your typical post-apoc survivalist:
http://rockstarchan.com/b/src/132722957576.jpg

Not sure if theres a name for the genre. I'd recommend Among Madmen by Jim Starlin & Daina Graziunas. Hater; Dog Bllood by David Moody.

Theres Dies The Fire By S.M.Strirling, it started out set in 1998. There noe about ten books in the series but you mightb like the first one or even the first trilogy. Maybe a bit too SF/SFantasy fot you.

Dies the Fire chronicles the struggle of two groups who try to survive "The Change," a sudden worldwide event that alters physical laws so that electricity, gunpowder, and most other forms of high-energy-density technology no longer work. As a result, modern civilization comes crashing down.

Posted: 23-01-2012 10:54 Post subject:

It's tricky to find anything outside of the remit of what would be called sci-fi with such a subject. No doubt because of the 'what if' way such ideas work. Anyway, you could try Richard Matheson's novel 'I Am Legend' - just don't step up to it with the Charlton Heston/Will Young films in mind (the Vincent Price version is much better!). What about Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road'? Or John Christopher's 'The Death of Grass'?

Posted: 23-01-2012 11:51 Post subject:

Try "Z for Zacharia" teen fiction but a good story.

Posted: 23-01-2012 12:43 Post subject:

Terry Nation's 'Survivors'. But don't bother with the remake - go straight for the original series. It's aged surprisingly well.

There is a book as well, which covers the first few episodes and has some differences to the series.

The first series is undoubtedly the best. The second series starts well then goes down hill. The third series is weak apart from a couple of notable exceptions (particularly "The Last Laugh", which is probably the best episode of the lot, and one of the best episodes of the whole series).

Posted: 23-01-2012 13:34 Post subject:

There's always The Stand.

Posted: 23-01-2012 19:03 Post subject:

I would highly recommend the grandaddy of the modern post-apocalypse story, the very wonderful Earth Abides by George R. Stewart. It's still in print, adventurous, as realistic as the author could make it and even moving by the end. A genuine classic and extremely influential.

Posted: 23-01-2012 20:43 Post subject:

There are the "Left Behind"books. Never read any, they're supposedly about those left behind after the Rapture.

Posted: 23-01-2012 20:47 Post subject:

Something like post-apocalyptic, dystopian sort of stuff?

Walk to the End of the World, by Suzy McKee Charnas -- disturbing, and very much early 1970s, a bit dated.

Riddley Walker, by Russell Hoban -- eerie and strange.

Lucifer's Hammer, by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle -- has sort of a "made for tv movie" feel to it, tepid crap.

Farnham's Freehold, by Robert Heinlein -- like something Charles Manson could've written, only less coherent.

Posted: 23-01-2012 20:48 Post subject:

Posted: 23-01-2012 21:31 Post subject:

'The Postman' by David Brin? Also, films by Mel Gibson and Kevin Costner...
'A boy and his dog' by Harlan Ellison. A film was made of that, too.

Sorry, it's really difficult to think of something that is non-sci fi...

Posted: 23-01-2012 21:45 Post subject:

Day of the Triffids springs to mind.... a bit sci-fi but still a good tale of survival of a few in a hostile world.

Last edited by graylien on 23-01-2012 22:32; edited 1 time in total

Posted: 23-01-2012 22:28 Post subject: