Subject
End of the world -- Fiction Books
Best books
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
The Last Man
"The Last Man" by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley is an apocalyptic science fiction novel published in 1826. Set in late 21st-century Europe, the story follows humanity's struggle as a devastating plague sweeps across the globe, threatening extinction. Through the eyes of Lionel Verney and his circle—including characters inspired by Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron—the novel explores love, ambition, and survival against civilization's collapse. Written after profound personal loss, this pioneering work of dystopian fiction envisions Britain as a republic while chronicling humanity's darkest hour.
Jack London
The Scarlet Plague
"The Scarlet Plague" by Jack London is a post-apocalyptic novel published in 1912. Set in 2073, sixty years after a devastating epidemic has nearly wiped out humanity, an elderly survivor travels with his primitive grandsons through the ruins of San Francisco. He recounts memories of civilization before the Red Death struck—a world of technology, knowledge, and social order—but struggles to make his grandsons understand a past that seems impossibly distant and unbelievable to them.
M. P. (Matthew Phipps) Shiel
The Purple Cloud
"The Purple Cloud" by M. P. Shiel is an apocalyptic novel published in 1901. Adam Jeffson joins a polar expedition and discovers a mysterious purple cloud that brings death across the globe. As seemingly the last man alive, he descends into madness, burning cities and building a colossal palace to himself. Years later, he encounters a young woman who survived in a cellar, forcing him to confront the future of humanity itself.
Camille Flammarion
Omega: The Last days of the World
"Omega: The Last Days of the World" by Camille Flammarion is a speculative fiction work written in the late 19th century. The narrative unfolds during an apocalyptic period where humanity grapples with the existential threat posed by an incoming comet, and the book delves into both scientific and philosophical explorations of this calamity. The rising tension among the populace emphasizes their varied reactions to impending doom, with a cast of characters that likely includes scientists, politicians, and everyday citizens who are faced with the question of humanity's fate. The opening of the narrative sets an urgent tone as people gather in Paris, anxious about astronomical predictions that suggest a comet's catastrophic collision with Earth. Amid a backdrop of social unrest and historical turmoil, Flammarion captures a world brimming with fear and speculation, as citizens from all walks of life converge at an important scientific assembly to learn about the comet's approach and its potential repercussions. The initial chapters detail the scientists' debates and the heated discussions about the cosmic threat, urging the reader to consider not just the physical implications of the comet but also the psychological and societal impacts of such a momentous disaster.
Cicely Hamilton
Theodore Savage: A Story of the Past or the Future
"Theodore Savage: A Story of the Past or the Future" by Cicely Hamilton is a novel written in the early 20th century." The story centers around Theodore Savage, who evolves from a complacent civil servant to a laborer caught in the turmoil of a world devastated by war, reflecting on his past life and the circumstances that have shaped him. In this narrative, Hamilton delves into themes of societal collapse and the human condition amid conflict. "The opening of the novel introduces us to Theodore Savage, a once-comfortable civil servant now adapting to a grim new reality wrought by war." As the story unfolds, Savage reflects on his earlier life of leisure and artistic appreciation, contrasting it with his current existence marked by toil and struggle alongside rough men. His introspection is abruptly interrupted by broader societal chaos as tensions escalate in the world outside his cabin. Through these reflections and observations, we see glimpses of his personal relationships, notably with Phillida Rathbone, his love interest, and the deteriorating political landscape that threatens their delicate world. This opening sets the stage for a deep exploration of how quickly civilization can unravel and how one must confront stark new realities.
James Lane Allen
The Last Christmas Tree: An Idyl of Immortality
"The Last Christmas Tree: An Idyl of Immortality" by James Lane Allen is a philosophical narrative that explores themes of existence, mortality, and the cyclical nature of life. Written in the early 20th century, the book falls within the category of philosophical fiction. It addresses profound questions surrounding human life, the inevitability of death, and the quest for understanding in a seemingly indifferent universe. The story takes place against a backdrop of a cold, snow-covered landscape where two fir trees stand as the last sentinels of nature amidst a profound silence left by humanity's long absence. Through their conversations, the trees reflect on the transient nature of human existence, the decline of civilization, and the mystery of immortality. The narrative touches on the dreams and disappointments of humanity, contemplating whether any aspect of the human spirit can endure beyond earthly life. Ultimately, it conveys a poignant meditation on the fate of the earth and the cycle of life and death, highlighting the beauty and tragedy inherent in human aspirations and memories, as the last remnants of life yield to the overpowering stillness of snow.
Jack London
Punainen rutto
"Punainen rutto" by Jack London is a novel written in the early 20th century. The book paints a dystopian future devastated by a catastrophic plague known as the Scarlet Plague, exploring themes of survival and societal decay. The narrative follows an old man and a young boy named Edwin as they navigate a world where civilization has collapsed, and wild animals roam freely, representing a stark contrast to the advanced society that once existed. At the start of the book, the old man, whose memories of the past are intertwined with his current existence, walks along a path that was once a train track, now overgrown with vegetation. He guides Edwin, describing a time when people populated the area, contrasting it with their grim reality filled with wild animals, like bears, which threaten their survival. The old man reminisces about life before the plague—speculating about the nature of money and civilization—while Edwin displays curiosity and youthful skepticism, questioning the relevance of the past as they face immediate dangers in their harsh environment. As they stop to hunt and gather food, the old man's reflections reveal the depth of the societal changes brought by the plague, hinting at the collapse of a once-thriving world.
William Alexander Gerhardie
Eva's apples : $b A story of jazz and jasper
First published in 1928, in London under title: Jazz and jasper, and in New York under title: Eva's apples. Republished in 1947 under title: My sinful earth, and in 1974 under title: Doom.
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