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A Going Concern
The thing about the end of the world is...
It doesn’t end. Trent Sheets goes on a long bender in the woods and wakes up to discover most of humanity is dead. Trent expects zombies, ghosts, or crazed vigilantes. Instead he faces nothing but vast space and mind-blowing silence. Striking out for home, the man least likely to survive the apocalypse crashes several cars, escapes packs of wild dogs, meets dying remnants of humanity, loses the only healthy woman around, picks up a very unhealthy teen, Kateland Owle, jams at the last radio station, finds one thriving town that kicks him out, and finally comes home to Southern California—a land of sunny beaches, unchecked wildfires, and unlimited booze. Kateland teaches Trent how to survive while he keeps her alive; together they flip the lights on for the future.
Brian Railsback has taken the bleakest of human scenarios and within it found decency, and hope. A Going Concern is an excellent novel that deserves a large and appreciative audience. — Ron Rash, author of Serena
It doesn’t end. Trent Sheets goes on a long bender in the woods and wakes up to discover most of humanity is dead. Trent expects zombies, ghosts, or crazed vigilantes. Instead he faces nothing but vast space and mind-blowing silence. Striking out for home, the man least likely to survive the apocalypse crashes several cars, escapes packs of wild dogs, meets dying remnants of humanity, loses the only healthy woman around, picks up a very unhealthy teen, Kateland Owle, jams at the last radio station, finds one thriving town that kicks him out, and finally comes home to Southern California—a land of sunny beaches, unchecked wildfires, and unlimited booze. Kateland teaches Trent how to survive while he keeps her alive; together they flip the lights on for the future.
Brian Railsback has taken the bleakest of human scenarios and within it found decency, and hope. A Going Concern is an excellent novel that deserves a large and appreciative audience. — Ron Rash, author of Serena
278 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2013
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 29, 2013
This book may have had a wee bit too much Asheville places name dropping, but maybe I just noticed it because I knew all those places.
Also, at one point I wondered whether Railsback took a plot point from Battlestar Galactica. Those are my only two quibbles with this book. Read on for what I liked!
I really loved it. I almost gave it 5 stars, but that's really reserved for my very favorite books. If I'm still thinking about it in a few weeks, I might come back and add a star.
This book managed to present a realistic picture of the apocalypse without being incredibly depressing. Maybe I'm weird, but I actually found it kind of uplifting.
This is the second end-of-the-world book I've read this week. I enjoyed them both. (The Dog Stars was the other.) They were really kind of similar. But this one wins. I liked the characters. I found them believable. The scenario seemed scarily plausible. The outcome was refreshing.
I liked Railsback's last novel, too. I hope he writes more!
Also, at one point I wondered whether Railsback took a plot point from Battlestar Galactica. Those are my only two quibbles with this book. Read on for what I liked!
I really loved it. I almost gave it 5 stars, but that's really reserved for my very favorite books. If I'm still thinking about it in a few weeks, I might come back and add a star.
This book managed to present a realistic picture of the apocalypse without being incredibly depressing. Maybe I'm weird, but I actually found it kind of uplifting.
This is the second end-of-the-world book I've read this week. I enjoyed them both. (The Dog Stars was the other.) They were really kind of similar. But this one wins. I liked the characters. I found them believable. The scenario seemed scarily plausible. The outcome was refreshing.
I liked Railsback's last novel, too. I hope he writes more!
September 2, 2013
I couldn't put it down!
Most of us would find ourselves as ill prepared for the end of the world as Trent Sheets, and I hope as persevering and humor filled in the face of incredible obstacles as well. Great writing, interesting characters and a unique look at the unimaginable possibility. Even people who don't read end-of-the-world stories would like this one.
Most of us would find ourselves as ill prepared for the end of the world as Trent Sheets, and I hope as persevering and humor filled in the face of incredible obstacles as well. Great writing, interesting characters and a unique look at the unimaginable possibility. Even people who don't read end-of-the-world stories would like this one.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews