Scan barcode
jmoses's review
5.0
This was a poignant look back on the end of civilization, and the modern world. No zombies, no horrific apocalypse, just the slow eventual decline and one man's experience throughout. Just the change of pace was wonderful, and the story itself was super. Slow at times, but well worth the read. More Quiet Earth than 28 Days Later.
colorfulleo92's review
5.0
I loved this book, and I listened to it as an audiobook. It's not an action packed adventure filled destopian, but extremely powerfull nevertheless. How human kind slowly dies out as every child that's been born in a very long time, is a block. Unable to think or function like those before them. They don't grow up to repudorce or move the world forward and therefore the human kind is slowly dying out and we follow the narrator, an old man that lives with his younger block brother. Such an intense and sometimes beautiful story.
csreilly64's review
2.0
I would give it 4 stars for its depiction of society, loneliness, and family. It was hard to ignore the lack of logic behind the survival.
stacylmoll's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot. As a mother of a nonverbal young adult, I felt all of what he was struggling with in regard to his brother. I also can understand how things got away from him and he ended up in an area where he and his brother is in the area alone. I also understand his desire to befriend a dog, I would most definitely do that.
knwilliamson79's review
4.0
This was a sad, thoughtful dystopian story. It follows through a few months of two elderly brothers struggling to live in a world gone wrong. Definitely worth the read and definitely thought provoking. Actually makes you think about what it might be like if you were the last man standing.
zoes_human's review
1.0
This narrative has a powerhouse premise – a unique and intriguing concept of how life as we know it could end which raises fascinating philosophical questions about what precisely constitutes a life. It is written well and has something to say about the meaning and value of family.
Unfortunately, it falls apart beyond that in three significant ways.
First, it goes nowhere. Whether it manifests in the form of a quest or as character evolution, there should be some significant change by the end of a narrative. In some cases, an author may compensate for the lack of an arc by taking an intensely philosophical approach; however, while this one brings up interesting metaphysical topics, they are never fully developed.
Second, there is a limit to how often I can suspend my disbelief with a single book. The “Survival Bill” lacks plausibility both in the human behavior required to execute it and the pragmatic likelihood of the existence and lengthy continual unmaintained function of the incinerators, processors, and generators. The depictions of animal behaviors, specifically bears and cats, are well outside current norms or conceivable changes in those creatures even in response to the situation described. I spent more time scrunching my eyebrows in doubt and disbelief than is conducive to literary pleasure.
Last is the elephant in the scenario – the universal avoidance by all characters of recognizing and attempting to cope with the inevitability of the world being left with only blocks who would then die of dehydration. Try to not die first isn’t a plan.
This writer has tremendous creativity, but failed to be mindful of the practical aspects which can, and in this case did, drag a book down.
Unfortunately, it falls apart beyond that in three significant ways.
First, it goes nowhere. Whether it manifests in the form of a quest or as character evolution, there should be some significant change by the end of a narrative. In some cases, an author may compensate for the lack of an arc by taking an intensely philosophical approach; however, while this one brings up interesting metaphysical topics, they are never fully developed.
Second, there is a limit to how often I can suspend my disbelief with a single book. The “Survival Bill” lacks plausibility both in the human behavior required to execute it and the pragmatic likelihood of the existence and lengthy continual unmaintained function of the incinerators, processors, and generators. The depictions of animal behaviors, specifically bears and cats, are well outside current norms or conceivable changes in those creatures even in response to the situation described. I spent more time scrunching my eyebrows in doubt and disbelief than is conducive to literary pleasure.
Last is the elephant in the scenario – the universal avoidance by all characters of recognizing and attempting to cope with the inevitability of the world being left with only blocks who would then die of dehydration. Try to not die first isn’t a plan.
This writer has tremendous creativity, but failed to be mindful of the practical aspects which can, and in this case did, drag a book down.
aerolich's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
jxchiodo's review
4.0
A thought provoking diary of a reminiscent man living his last days caring for a non-functional brother, he faces challenges one wouldn't think of dealing with as the world ends...rising age causing multiple limitations, struggling with his decisions, & the dangers of common pets that are now surviving their own way in the wild.
It was well written, seeing as their is only one viewpoint it never got dull or boring. I loved the stories & memories of the last things of civilization...the last baseball game & high school graduation. It's amazing, living that life of inevitable end & never losing sight of the important things that really matter in life; family, relationships, love...
It was well written, seeing as their is only one viewpoint it never got dull or boring. I loved the stories & memories of the last things of civilization...the last baseball game & high school graduation. It's amazing, living that life of inevitable end & never losing sight of the important things that really matter in life; family, relationships, love...
catra121's review
3.0
This is a hard one to rate. I am really fascinated by this world and I definitely intend to continue this series to get more POVs and experiences from others who live in this world. But...overall it was just ok. I loved The Last Teacher novella set in this world and I feel like that was about the right length for a story like this. This one was just a little too long for me to say I really enjoyed it. But...as I said...I am fascinated by this world and intend to continue reading the series.
mactammonty's review
4.0
Have you ever wondered what would happen if people stopped having children?
This book evokes deep thoughts about what is important to us as we grow older, how are abilities change, and how dependent we are on others to meet our needs.
To those who complain about supporting schools or services for children, this is a book for you. This is what your world would be without children.
This book evokes deep thoughts about what is important to us as we grow older, how are abilities change, and how dependent we are on others to meet our needs.
To those who complain about supporting schools or services for children, this is a book for you. This is what your world would be without children.