Post Civ

by Julianne Harvey

When climate scientist Min looks up from the raft she’s been floating on for weeks in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, she must be hallucinating, for Min hasn’t seen trees with green leaves for so long. Running out of food and rainwater to drink, Min has been waiting to die. But just in case this miracle vision of liveable land is actually real, she rows toward it.

Soon to join Min is Iris, a fearful therapist in a beautiful boat stolen from her dead client as the tsunami wiped out Vancouver. And next to arrive is Jasper, a construction worker from northern Alberta who makes Iris nervous. Civilization was collapsing as they fled. Will it be safe to stay here on this island? And who else might be living here?

Eventually there will be twelve survivors on this mysterious island, each with different ideas about what constitutes fairness in this new after world. They begin to rebuild. And to heal. Some flourish, some flounder, and there’s danger around every corner.

Written in the minimalist style of Omar El Akkad’s What Strange Paradise with the emotional depth of Ann Napolitano’s Hello Beautiful, Post Civ is ultimately about hope – examining what might be possible beyond our current flawed corporate systems and patriarchal hierarchies.

294 pages, Paperback

Published September 14, 2024

About the author

Julianne Harvey is an author, innovator, and nurturer in South Surrey, BC. She’s the author of six books and holds an MFA and a BA in Creative Writing, along with a Certificate in Counselling Skills. Julianne writes a Substack newsletter, hosts a monthly podcast called Intuitive Courage, and teaches classes on writing, nurture, and climate. Her novels are in many library collections. For more info, please see julianneharvey.com and rubyfinchbooks.com.

Reviews

[Toby Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Julianne Harvey’s writing since I read her first published adult work, Authentic = Happy: A Guide to Dismantling Your Disguise. Her work always entertains and enlightens me and Post Civ continues that streak.

I love, love, love the premise of this book: what would happen if the world as we know it was wiped out and the few survivors had to rebuild from scratch. That is the reality for twelve people who found themselves on an island. Post Civ is a fascinating story of survival that stays with you long after you turn the last page.

Harvey did a phenomenal job of character development for all 12 stranded people. I loved some of them and disliked others - hey, just like people in real life!

I appreciated the discussion questions Harvey included at the back of the book. Pondering my answers kept me busy for days!

I highly recommend Post Civ. It’s an engrossing and entertaining read with an intriguing cast of characters. Five out of five apocalyptic stars!!

[Kara Dunbar · Rating 1 out of 5]

The concept was interesting and world-building was well established. How the history of the before world was told through the characters' ways of thinking and their flashbacks was good. The conflicts felt realistic and human. I appreciated the value of care in the characters and author. The growing normalisation of trigger warnings at the beginning of books, including in this one, is welcomed.

The characters' journeys were all unique, and I wish their voices carried more distinction. The relationships within the story felt rushed and not earned, with some feeling like they were there for relationships sake. Throughout the second half of the book, it was difficult to discern when the climax was, as there were a number of high intensity events that felt level in their impact to the characters. While being in general agreement with a lot of what the author was saying with this book, it felt very didactic. Line by line, a lot more was told to me than shown, and I struggled to be immersed.