'Level 7' by Mordecai Roshwald is a dystopian novel set in a bunker 4,400 feet below the earth's surface, where the main character, known only as X-127, awaits the command to push a series of buttons that will launch nuclear warheads and bring about the end of the world. The story unfolds through X-127's diary entries, revealing the psychological impact of living in isolation and the looming horror of the impending nuclear destruction. The book explores themes of nuclear war, survival, and the dehumanizing effects of war on individuals.

The writing style of 'Level 7' is described as simplistic yet chilling, with a diary format that intensifies the sense of dread and claustrophobia experienced by the characters in the bunker. The narrative captures the bleakness and despair of a world on the brink of nuclear apocalypse, offering a stark portrayal of human psychology in the face of war and the futility of seeking refuge underground.

Characters:

Characters are largely unnamed, deepening the sense of anonymity and psychological horror in the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is diary-based, creating an intense and psychological narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a soldier in a nuclear war bunker, chronicling his isolation and despair as he witnesses the extinction of humanity.

Setting:

The setting is a deep underground bunker during a nuclear apocalypse, characterized by a stark and lifeless atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing is steady, gradually heightening tension and exploring psychological depth through reflective diary entries.

Some time has passed—thirty-seven days, to be precise—since I decided to write this diary and started to do so. It seems longer: these thirty-seven days have stretched out like eternity. My previous l...

Notes:

Level 7 was written in 1959 and explores themes of nuclear apocalypse.

The book is told from the perspective of a military personnel living in a bunker 4,400 feet underground.

The protagonist is referred to only by a code name, X 127, and all characters lack personal names.

It is structured as a diary, chronicling the thoughts and feelings of the main character during a nuclear crisis.

Roshwald's depiction of human psychology regarding war is noted for its unsettling accuracy.

Level 7 has been compared to other nuclear war novels like On the Beach and Alas Babylon, with a similar setting and themes.

The narrative captures the bleakness and despair of the Cold War era.

The book critiques the belief that bunkers can adequately protect humanity from the consequences of nuclear war.

There is a strong dystopian feel to the book, aligning it with classics like 1984 and Brave New World.

Many readers recall the chilling impact of the story, particularly the final diary entries.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of nuclear devastation, isolation, despair, mental health issues, and reflections on the consequences of war.

From The Publisher:

Level 7 is the diary of Officer X-127, who is assigned to stand guard at the "Push Buttons," a machine devised to activate the atomic destruction of the enemy, in the country’s deepest bomb shelter.

Four thousand feet underground, Level 7 has been built to withstand the most devastating attack and to be self-sufficient for five hundred years. Selected according to a psychological profile that assures their willingness to destroy all life on Earth, those who are sent down may never return.

Originally published in 1959, and with over 400,000 copies sold, this powerful dystopian novel remains a horrific vision of where the nuclear arms race may lead, and is an affirmation of human life and love. Level 7 merits comparison to Huxley’s A Brave New World and Orwell’s 1984 and should be considered a must-read by all science fiction fans.

Reader Stats (5):

Want To Read (4)
Not Interested (1)

What can you read after
Level 7?

See the list (100 books)

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.

Level 7

Mordecai Roshwald