Books matching: societal breakdown
100 result(s)
- #1
Save:The Fog by James Herbert is a classic horror novel set in foggy England where a deadly fog, dense and yellowish in color, arises from the earth, infiltrating the minds of individuals and turning them into violent monsters. The story follows the terrifying progression of the fog as it causes murder, rape, mass suicide, and chaos, affecting both humans and animals. Only a few characters manage to retain their sanity amidst the devastation, leading to a race against time to uncover the secret behind the fog's destruction and save mankind.
The novel is described as a fast-paced, absorbing thriller with horrific scenes that make readers cringe, yet it also offers a gripping and engaging storyline beyond mindless violence. The writing style is noted for its cool, matter-of-fact prose that effectively conveys the horrors unfolding in the narrative, creating a chilling atmosphere that leaves a lasting impact on readers.
The village slowly began to shake off its slumber and come to life. Slowly because nothing ever happened with speed in that part of Wiltshire; a mood of timelessness carefully cultivated by the villag... - #2
Save:Darkness on the Edge of Town by Brian Keene is a novel that follows the story of a small town, Walden, Virginia, enveloped by a mysterious, evil darkness that traps its residents within. The plot focuses on the struggle for survival as the inhabitants face anarchy, deprivation of essentials, and the worst of human nature emerging in a fight for existence. The writing style is engaging, with a first-person perspective that keeps readers intrigued, even though the story is not particularly scary but rather mildly creepy at times.
In the beginning was the word. I know this because the Bible tells me so. The Bible tells me a lot of things. It says that Jesus loves me, and that you shouldn’t suffer a witch to live, and in the beg... - #3
Save:'The Genocides' by Thomas M. Disch is a unique and grim apocalyptic tale where Earth is invaded by alien plants that grow rapidly, overtaking the planet and destroying the ecosystem. The story follows humanity's struggle to survive against these alien plants and their robotic enforcers, as society collapses and individuals fight for their lives. The writing style of Disch is described as skillful, fluid, and able to shift between horror and humor seamlessly, creating a bleak but captivating narrative that delves into themes of human extinction, survival, and the destructive nature of power politics.
As the lesser and then the greater stars disappeared in the advancing light, the towering mass of the forest that walled in the cornfield retained for a while the utter blackness of the night. A light... - #4
Save:The Uninvited by Liz Jensen is a dystopian science fiction novel that explores the unsettling phenomena of children turning into murderers and the outbreak of corporate sabotage followed by suicide. The story follows the protagonist, Hesketh Lock, an anthropologist with Asperger's syndrome, as he investigates the seemingly unrelated incidents of sabotage and murders, noticing patterns and connections that challenge the norms of modern society. Through Hesketh's detached yet compassionate narration, the book delves into themes of societal breakdown, psychological struggles, and the blurred lines between reality and the unknown.
The phenomenon known as the fairy ring is caused by fungal spore pods spreading outwards like a water ripple around a biologically dead zone. In European legend, they represent the gateway to the fair... - #5
Save:"Witchfinders" by Malcolm Gaskill delves into the subject of the 17th century English witch trials in great detail, providing an insight into the country during the Civil War period. The narrative follows the savage witch hunt of 1645-1647 instigated by protagonists Matthew Hopkins and John Stearne. The author takes great liberties in suggesting Hopkins' actions and whereabouts, while also painting a vivid picture of the societal breakdown during the difficult times of 17th century Britain.
is a detailed and humane study of its subject, portraying the barbaric methods employed by the self-appointed witchfinders Hopkins and Stearne, shedding light on the religious fervor, neighborly intolerance, and superstition that fueled the witch hunts. It serves as a lesson on what can happen when societal norms start to break down, showcasing the darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of fear and paranoia.
- #6
Save:'Suffer the Children' by Craig DiLouie is a horror novel that explores a unique take on the vampire genre. The story revolves around a new disease called Herod's Syndrome that only affects children, leading to their sudden death and subsequent reanimation with a need for human sacrifices. The book delves into the desperation of parents to keep their children alive, even at the cost of compromising their humanity. The writing style is described as mature, intelligent, and character-based, with a gradual build-up of tension and a thought-provoking exploration of human nature.
Joan had just set a box filled with reject plastic-lens eyeglasses, a donation from a local LensCrafters, on the floor for the kids to play with. Dillon and Danielle put on oversized black frames and ... - #7
Save:In Kenneth Calhoun's debut novel 'Black Moon', a mysterious epidemic of chronic sleeplessness sweeps the world, plunging society into chaos as sleep-deprived populations become dissociated, mad, and ultimately violent. The storyline follows a handful of individuals who are immune to the insomnia, focusing on their struggles to survive in a world where sleep is the rarest and most precious commodity. Through various perspectives, including those of characters like Matt Biggs, Carolyn, Chase, and Lila, the narrative unfolds as they navigate a dystopian reality where the ability to dream becomes a waking nightmare.
Calhoun's dark and hallucinatory writing style confronts the reader with a deeply human exploration of one of our primal needs and fears, skillfully weaving a tale of desperation, violence, and survival in a world where money and drugs are powerless against the plague of sleeplessness. The author's creation of a new dialect for the insomniacs, along with vivid descriptions of the characters' struggles and the collapse of reality, adds a creative and thought-provoking layer to the narrative.
BIGGS RAN IN BURSTS DOWN THE STREET, wanting to move quickly but without attracting attention. These dark blocks between their building and the ransacked drugstore were sketchy. He moved through the c... - #8
Save:In a near future where it has stopped raining, water has become a luxury. The book portrays a world where civilization has collapsed, and the population is struggling to survive in a desert of despair. The writing style is described as bleak, with some interesting ideas but not gripping enough for some readers. The plot follows characters facing surreal and dystopian situations as they navigate through a world on the brink of destruction due to environmental degradation.
AT NOON, when Dr. Charles Ransom moored his houseboat in the entrance to the river, he saw Quilter, the idiot son of the old woman who lived in the ramshackle barge outside the yacht basin, standing o... - #9
Save:Ark by Stephen Baxter is a sequel to Flood and follows the story of a group of young survivors attempting to create an Ark to escape the flooded Earth. The plot spans many decades, focusing on the construction and crew selection for Ark 1, a spaceship destined for a distant planet. The writing style delves into dark and harsh realities faced by the characters in a world in crisis, providing a mix of science and sociological aspects that make the story eminently readable.
Liu said, ′Like many other programmes, the work of ′′planet-finding′′ was pretty much curtailed by the flood. That is, using advanced telescopic and photographic techniques, including telescopes in sp...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Flood ) - #10
Save:The Company by K.J. Parker is a fantasy novel that follows a group of retired elite soldiers who decide to move to an island to start a new life. As they uncover past secrets and face challenges such as the discovery of gold on the island, tensions rise within the group. The story explores themes of hidden secrets, relationships, and the dynamics between the characters as they navigate through their new life post-war.
The boatman who rowed him from the ship to the quay kept looking at him: first a stare, then a frown. Pretending he hadn’t noticed, he pulled the collar of his greatcoat up round his chin, a perfectly...
