tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28233324.post983674526095794244..comments2024-02-25T11:10:45.919-08:00Comments on book addiction: George R. Stewart, Earth Abidesrichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04371755412890078678noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28233324.post-4249037265089859002012-09-04T12:55:53.743-07:002012-09-04T12:55:53.743-07:00In my opinion, Earth Abides is the best post-apoca...In my opinion, Earth Abides is the best post-apocalyptic book written to date. I agree with you that Stewart's race and gender constructions in the book are quite dated, but in a number of ways he's used these cliched tropes to critique mainstream middle America, not blacks and women.<br /><br />I find Stewart's strength in Earth Abides is on considering how much of our everyday worlds - our comforts and conveniences, our technologies and knowledge - would erode in the years after the collapse of civilization. Other authors, such as Walter Miller Jr., take a much longer view of things, but the effect is not as visceral.<br /><br />I like how you have characterized the ending as satisfying, but not necessarily 'happy'. Personally, I was quite happy with the ending. But, I suppose each reader needs to think about what they want the world to look like in 60 years, then think about what the world will likely look like, and then decide if Stewarts's vision is more like the former or the latter.<br /><br />Ultimately, I found the purpose of the story is to question out motivation to build a society the way we have. Given a new set of circumstances, would we do it again? Is it human nature to pursue 'progress' relentlessly?<br /><br />Great post. I expect you have inspired others to check out this classic.awatson8381noreply@blogger.com