'Alas, Babylon' by Pat Frank is a post-apocalyptic novel set in a small Florida town following a nuclear war. The story focuses on the survival of the community members as they face the challenges of living without modern amenities like electricity, running water, and readily available food. The book portrays a vivid picture of how the characters learn to adapt, barter for their existence, and work together to navigate a world that has regressed hundreds of years due to the devastating effects of the nuclear war. The writing style is described as engaging, down-to-earth, and surprisingly contemporary, reminiscent of Stephen King's style but without the adolescent humor and bad endings.

Characters:

The characters are relatable yet occasionally stereotypical, showcasing a range of responses to crisis while reflecting the era's social attitudes.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is accessible and clear, with a focus on practicality, sometimes bordering on instructional.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot focuses on the immediate and long-term consequences of a nuclear attack, highlighting community resilience and the struggle for survival.

Setting:

The setting is a small Florida town, juxtaposing pre-disaster normalcy with the chaos of post-apocalyptic survival.

Pacing:

The pacing allows for character development and tension building, but may feel slow compared to contemporary works.

Randy was having a pleasant, recurrent, Before-The-Day dream. He was awaking in a hotel in Miami Beach and a waitress in a white cap was bringing his morning coffee on a rolling table. Sometimes the w...

Notes:

Published in 1959 during the height of the Cold War.

The novel was influenced by the fear of nuclear war prevalent in the 1950s and 1960s.

The story is set in a small town in Florida called Fort Repose.

Characters in the novel struggle to survive after a nuclear attack obliterates large parts of the U.S.

Randy Bragg, the main character, becomes a leader for his community.

Themes of community, survival, and hope are central to the narrative.

The novel explores social issues, including race relations and gender roles, reflective of its time.

The phrase "Alas Babylon" is a code for imminent nuclear attack between the protagonist and his brother.

Pat Frank's background as a journalist and consultant on nuclear issues adds authenticity to the story.

The book is often considered one of the first post-apocalyptic novels centered on nuclear war.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include depictions of violence, nuclear warfare, casual racism and sexism reflective of the 1950s societal attitudes, and themes of death and survival hardships.

From The Publisher:

"An extraordinary real picture of human beings numbed by catastrophe but still driven by the unconquerable determination of living creatures to keep on being alive." -The New Yorker

"Alas, Babylon." Those fateful words heralded the end. When the unthinkable nightmare of nuclear holocaust ravaged the United States, it was instant death for tens of millions of people; for survivors, it was a nightmare of hunger, sickness, and brutality. Overnight, a thousand years of civilization were stripped away.

But for one small Florida town, miraculously spared against all the odds, the struggle was only just beginning, as the isolated survivors-men and women of all ages and races-found the courage to come together and confront the harrowing darkness.

This classic apocalyptic novel by Pat Frank, first published in 1959 at the height of the Cold War, includes an introduction by award-winning science fiction writer and scientist David Brin.

Ratings (38)

Incredible (7)
Loved It (14)
Liked It (8)
It Was OK (7)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (119):

Read It (37)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (57)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (23)

3 comment(s)

md1pal260

Liked It

3 months

Interesting how science has evolved. From 1959’s Alas Babylon to 1983’s made for TV “The Day After” to 2024’s Nuclear War: A Scenario there is very little difference between the onset and immediate aftermath of a nuclear war. But only 2024’s edition has included the now widely understood notion of nuclear winter…absent from the previous works.

marnel163

Incredible

7 months

a favorite among it's genre - did not feel dated, nuclear war survivalist, simple writing style and very believable

melnut306

It Was OK

9 months

It was about the cold war. It was a really good survival story. If I tell more than this you will not need to read it because you will know what happens. If you really want to know what happens go to a book store and buy the book!

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Alas, Babylon

Pat Frank