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The End
A strange suicide plague grips the city of London, tearing apart the fabric of society. To escape this madness, a small group of strangers must journey north in search of safety.
Everyone and everything must eventually come to an End, but in this case it happens quicker and with more savagery than anyone could ever have imagined.
When chaos reigns and things start to fall apart, The End might be closer than you think... and sometimes The End is really the beginning of something much worse...
“The End is a masterful entry in apocalyptic fiction, deeply emotional, beautifully written… A fast paced adventure story with a strong heart that will leave your emotions battered and bruised.” – The Ginger Nuts of Horror
“He’s one of the darkest – which is to say brightest – new stars in the firmament of horror fiction.” – Ramsey Campbell
“Gary McMahon’s horror is heartfelt, his characters flawed and desperate...” – Tim Lebbon
“Gary McMahon is one of the finest of a new breed of horror writers. His work combines spare, elegant writing with an acute sense of the growing desperation felt by those having to deal with the crime and crumbling infrastructure of our urban centres. Illuminating these themes with a visionary’s sense of the supernatural…” – Steve Rasnic Tem
“Gary McMahon is a spellbinding storyteller.” – Graham Joyce
Everyone and everything must eventually come to an End, but in this case it happens quicker and with more savagery than anyone could ever have imagined.
When chaos reigns and things start to fall apart, The End might be closer than you think... and sometimes The End is really the beginning of something much worse...
“The End is a masterful entry in apocalyptic fiction, deeply emotional, beautifully written… A fast paced adventure story with a strong heart that will leave your emotions battered and bruised.” – The Ginger Nuts of Horror
“He’s one of the darkest – which is to say brightest – new stars in the firmament of horror fiction.” – Ramsey Campbell
“Gary McMahon’s horror is heartfelt, his characters flawed and desperate...” – Tim Lebbon
“Gary McMahon is one of the finest of a new breed of horror writers. His work combines spare, elegant writing with an acute sense of the growing desperation felt by those having to deal with the crime and crumbling infrastructure of our urban centres. Illuminating these themes with a visionary’s sense of the supernatural…” – Steve Rasnic Tem
“Gary McMahon is a spellbinding storyteller.” – Graham Joyce
- GenresHorror
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Gary McMahon
179 books108 followersGary McMahon lives, works and writes in West Yorkshire but posseses a New York state of mind. He shares his life with a wife, a son, and the nagging stories that won’t give him any peace until he writes them.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
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November 7, 2015This is copy 33 of 50 signed numbered hardcover copies.
October 21, 2014
Flipping eck!
I was warned before reading this that Gary's writing was brutal. Yes it is, but I didn't expect it to be so deliciously brilliant! Hooked and shocked from the start. I think I'm still in shock.
McMahon's ability to draw you in is a rare talent. This apocalyptic style of horror was emotionally intense. When I finished I found my face wet. This book truly touched me. Yes it's macabre, scary and dare I say disturbing. But it's also bloody fantastic.
The End scared me and yes, I think scarred me as is hoped by McMahon at the end. It's freaked me out a bit if I'm honest, I want to prepare and I have questions!
I don't wish to give the plot away but if you fancy an end of world, fast paced, gritty little book to keep you up at night, then The End is for you. It gave my sleep paralysis a run for its money.
I'd love to own it in print, so it could become a well thumbed addition to my book case of masterpieces.
I was warned before reading this that Gary's writing was brutal. Yes it is, but I didn't expect it to be so deliciously brilliant! Hooked and shocked from the start. I think I'm still in shock.
McMahon's ability to draw you in is a rare talent. This apocalyptic style of horror was emotionally intense. When I finished I found my face wet. This book truly touched me. Yes it's macabre, scary and dare I say disturbing. But it's also bloody fantastic.
The End scared me and yes, I think scarred me as is hoped by McMahon at the end. It's freaked me out a bit if I'm honest, I want to prepare and I have questions!
I don't wish to give the plot away but if you fancy an end of world, fast paced, gritty little book to keep you up at night, then The End is for you. It gave my sleep paralysis a run for its money.
I'd love to own it in print, so it could become a well thumbed addition to my book case of masterpieces.
November 11, 2014
Mack Booth and his business partner are in London when something happens, driving 75% of the population to either commit suicide or try to kill themselves and as many bystanders as possible. Assembling a ragtag band of fellow travellers - Becky, his business partners lover, Bob from the hotel and Manisa, who they meet on the way - he heads north, to his cottage on the moors where his heavily pregnant, blind wife is waiting for him.
This is an astonishing book, short and lean, that doesn’t pull any punches as it follows our heroes up country - it’s brutal, gory, poignant, unpleasant, bleak, uncomfortable, hopeful and above all else, never less than believable. I read this in draft, to deliver a critique and it’s the first time I’ve ever done that and had to struggle to find anything seriously wrong with the ms.
An excellent book, well worth the read and if this doesn’t win awards, there’s no justice.
This is an astonishing book, short and lean, that doesn’t pull any punches as it follows our heroes up country - it’s brutal, gory, poignant, unpleasant, bleak, uncomfortable, hopeful and above all else, never less than believable. I read this in draft, to deliver a critique and it’s the first time I’ve ever done that and had to struggle to find anything seriously wrong with the ms.
An excellent book, well worth the read and if this doesn’t win awards, there’s no justice.
December 30, 2015
Long been a fan of McMahon's work and I'm happy to say The End is as good as the rest of the man's work - if not one of his best. While the post-apocalyptic genre is well populated, The End doesn't feel like just another zombie/people killing people tale which is down to McMahon's skill with characters as well as some superb prose. There's also a nicely done twist I didn't see coming; one which explains a large part of a character's motivation.
The End reads like it's a horror film from the 70s: gritty, bleak and very powerful. Highly recommended (and if you like this one, check out McMahon's Hungry Hearts for more end of the world fun).
The End reads like it's a horror film from the 70s: gritty, bleak and very powerful. Highly recommended (and if you like this one, check out McMahon's Hungry Hearts for more end of the world fun).
December 10, 2014
The Cell (S. King) meets The Happening (M. Night Shyamalan) meets 28 days later.
Most of the plot theme are recycled from zombie and PA movies. What started out as a interesting story didn't really go anywhere.
It was okay, but it could have been better. 3 stars.
Most of the plot theme are recycled from zombie and PA movies. What started out as a interesting story didn't really go anywhere.
It was okay, but it could have been better. 3 stars.
October 24, 2017
As stated in the afterword, and in light of George Romero's recent death, this is very much a thank you to the much-loved director and in particular his lesser-known feature The Crazies. McMahon though cites another influence, and one which is probably more direct, that of the Swedish twins on the M6 motorway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz47A...
That sense of madness fits perfectly with this journey of Mack, from London to the North of England where he lived with his pregnant wife, through a landscape of a sudden and inexplicable surge in mass suicides, and those who didn't succumb either became ghouls or running scared.
En route he meets up with Becky, Bob, and Manisa, forming a rag-tag troupe eventually becoming the prisoner of Thwaite, a creation that reminded me of Major West from 28 Days Later, Dr Logan from Day of the Dead and the Governor from The Walking Dead. Again, McMahon wears his influences on his sleeve but wraps them up within his own unique way - Thwaite in particular is a most colourful character in more ways than one.
Although there is no direct Wyndham inspiration, there are moments of "cosy catastrophe" in this tale; of deux ex machina where we discover the characters have skills needed at just that moment in the narrative. It doesn't distract too much but they're there.
Of the two female leads, I found Becky the better drawn - easily an equal with both Mack and Bob - but Manisa was disappointing, her inclusion not much more than a plot-point to include a sex scene.
Despite these personal misgivings, the writing is typical of McMahon's style: dark, nihilistic, and poetic at times, with the coda in particular containing possibly the darkest of all images - definitely not for the squeamish.
In closing, I definitely recommend this slice of horror: it adds just enough to differ from the usual zombie fare, and if you haven't read Gary McMahon before then a good start point.
That sense of madness fits perfectly with this journey of Mack, from London to the North of England where he lived with his pregnant wife, through a landscape of a sudden and inexplicable surge in mass suicides, and those who didn't succumb either became ghouls or running scared.
En route he meets up with Becky, Bob, and Manisa, forming a rag-tag troupe eventually becoming the prisoner of Thwaite, a creation that reminded me of Major West from 28 Days Later, Dr Logan from Day of the Dead and the Governor from The Walking Dead. Again, McMahon wears his influences on his sleeve but wraps them up within his own unique way - Thwaite in particular is a most colourful character in more ways than one.
Although there is no direct Wyndham inspiration, there are moments of "cosy catastrophe" in this tale; of deux ex machina where we discover the characters have skills needed at just that moment in the narrative. It doesn't distract too much but they're there.
Of the two female leads, I found Becky the better drawn - easily an equal with both Mack and Bob - but Manisa was disappointing, her inclusion not much more than a plot-point to include a sex scene.
Despite these personal misgivings, the writing is typical of McMahon's style: dark, nihilistic, and poetic at times, with the coda in particular containing possibly the darkest of all images - definitely not for the squeamish.
In closing, I definitely recommend this slice of horror: it adds just enough to differ from the usual zombie fare, and if you haven't read Gary McMahon before then a good start point.
June 8, 2020
This is one of the best apocalyptic novels I've ever read. I discovered this gem on my favourite horror FB group and was greatly intrigued by the very disturbing cover image of a man about to jump off a ledge and also holding a gun to his head. I have a fascination for novels about suicide. Because a suicide plague hits London, there's definitely a lot of it in this novel. I loved the first person POV of the main character trying to survive as he watches people all around him kill themselves and others. I knew that however the novel would end, I would still love it. But the ending was great and really surprised me. Highly recommend!
November 4, 2017
This is going to be a very short review: if you're are a fan of horror fiction, then put simply...
READ THIS.
READ THIS.
October 28, 2014
This book starts very well, with the gripping portrayal of the collapse of society under a wave of lemming-like suicides. There's no catch to this review - it also continues well, with sympathetic characters, a quest for sanctuary and family away from London, and a very satisfying ending. I did find myself wondering - about halfway through - if it was too short for an apocalyptic story that seemed to deserve epic length, but this is probably because of genre conventions, so this may be an interesting development in shorter (non-zombie!) apocalyptic fiction. Some wonderful imagery, many grim and gory occurrences, and a thought-provoking concept of what demographic and social pressures might tip humanity into lemming-like mass self-murder.
October 14, 2014
Inspired by a real event Gary McMahon has constructed an emotionally charged apocalyptic tale. Our main character is in London when a strange plague strikes that makes its victims suicidal. With a group of survivors they make their way North to be reunited with their loved ones. It is this motivation that drives the characters through the horrors of the journey. For the main character it's to be with his wife and their unborn child who are holed up in a cottage. The ending is so emotional it took my breath away.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews