Subject
Disasters -- Fiction Books
Best books
Fred M. (Fred Merrick) White
The Doom of London
"The Doom of London" by Fred M. White is a collection of six interconnected stories that were published in the early 20th century. The narratives delve into fantastical calamities besetting London, exploring themes of societal panic, natural disasters, and the human response to crises. In the opening chapter titled "The Four White Days," the focus is on a severe Arctic winter that grips London, plunging the city into chaos as supplies dwindle and the frigid conditions wreak havoc. At the start of the book, the editor of a newspaper, Mr. Fisher, grapples with the aftermath of a catastrophic blizzard that has isolated London, creating fears of famine and cold. As communication falters and supplies diminish, a sense of urgency pervades the city. The chapter introduces various characters, highlighting their struggles against the unprecedented winter. Fisher’s realization of the looming crisis is ignited by breaking news of a prominent figure's suicide, intertwining personal tragedies with the city's plight. The grim atmosphere sets the stage for the stories to follow, inviting readers into a vividly imagined world where London faces multiple apocalyptic challenges.
Leslie F. (Leslie Francis) Stone
When the Sun went out
"When the Sun Went Out" by Leslie F. Stone is a science fiction novel likely written in the late 1920s. The story unfolds in a dystopian future where Earth is on the brink of catastrophe as its sun is dying, plunging the planet into inevitable darkness. The narrative revolves around themes of survival, the decline of civilization, and humanity's struggle against nature. The plot centers on Kuila Rei, an astronomer who witnesses the dying moments of the sun alongside a diminishing population grappling with their fate. As the characters navigate their desolate world, they work toward escaping the cold and dark by digging deep beneath the Earth's surface. Kuila forms a connection with Ramo Rei, a fellow astronomer, and together they explore the possibility of leaving their dying world for a new one. Throughout the story, the pursuit of knowledge, hope, and human connection persists even as the sun's last flickers signal the end of an era. Ultimately, the novel concludes with the sun's final demise, leaving the characters faced with a new life underground, yet holding onto the hope of someday finding a new sun and a rebirth of their civilization.
Morrison Colladay
When the moon fell
"When the Moon Fell" by Morrison Colladay is a science fiction novel published in the late 1920s. The narrative is set against the backdrop of a catastrophic event that alters the very fabric of human civilization, stemming from the moon being thrown off its orbit towards Earth. The story follows the experiences of the protagonist as the world confronts an impending doom, and the impact of this calamity on human life and resilience. The plot centers on a narrator who, after narrowly escaping the initial devastation while in Labrador, witnesses the gradual unraveling of society as people react to the threat posed by the incoming moon. Along with a companion named Jim, they navigate a landscape transformed by disasters such as tidal waves and earthquakes, initially surviving in a plane and later dealing with the aftermath of the moon's collision with Earth. As they discover a new settlement in Greenland post-catastrophe, they learn the fate of humanity and embark on rebuilding civilization amidst the remnants of a changed world, all while contemplating future explorations of what remains of their former planet.
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