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Fallout Stories
A celebration for "Fallout" with nine post-apocalyptic stories, two articles on "Fallout 3," and a List of Ten Classic Tales in the Style of "Fallout." About half of the pieces are reprints, with the rest being original to this collection. The total word count is 53,000 words, making it the size of a short novel.
The stories span a spectrum, the first three being gritty realism, but after that things get more fantastic, with robots, zombies, and the like.
"Cuban Missile Strike" is an alternate history that might be termed "Fallout 1962." Set in Florida, it is published here for the first time.
"Fallout 1979" is an alternate history set in 1979, and it deals with a team of survivors going into the fallout plume in Iowa. First published in "Plasma Frequency."
"Euro-Nuke '79" is an alternate history set in 1979, but set on a different continent. The problem of evacuating American high school kids from a war zone. It is published here for the first time.
"Atomic Missions" is an odd one about an atomic bombardier. First published in "Kaleidotrope."
"Scout Team from the Arc" is a "recontact" story regarding people leaving their underground shelter for the first time in a generation. It is published here for the first time.
"Karma Hunter" is a zombie tale. It is published here for the first time.
"The Walking, Weeping Prototypes" has robots. First published online at "Black Denim Lit."
"Cyborg Vedohtsee and the Outlaw Slick Polla" features cyborgs, robots, and zombies. First published at "Scifia."
"The Brave Little Trash-bot at the End of the World" is an odd one. It is published here for the first time.
"Fallout 3 versus The Omega Man" is an article comparing a computer game to a movie. It was first published in "New York Review of Science Fiction."
"Fallout 3: Rebirth of a Franchise" is an article about a computer game, published here for the first time.
"List of Ten Classic Tales in the Style of Fallout" is published here for the first time.
The stories span a spectrum, the first three being gritty realism, but after that things get more fantastic, with robots, zombies, and the like.
"Cuban Missile Strike" is an alternate history that might be termed "Fallout 1962." Set in Florida, it is published here for the first time.
"Fallout 1979" is an alternate history set in 1979, and it deals with a team of survivors going into the fallout plume in Iowa. First published in "Plasma Frequency."
"Euro-Nuke '79" is an alternate history set in 1979, but set on a different continent. The problem of evacuating American high school kids from a war zone. It is published here for the first time.
"Atomic Missions" is an odd one about an atomic bombardier. First published in "Kaleidotrope."
"Scout Team from the Arc" is a "recontact" story regarding people leaving their underground shelter for the first time in a generation. It is published here for the first time.
"Karma Hunter" is a zombie tale. It is published here for the first time.
"The Walking, Weeping Prototypes" has robots. First published online at "Black Denim Lit."
"Cyborg Vedohtsee and the Outlaw Slick Polla" features cyborgs, robots, and zombies. First published at "Scifia."
"The Brave Little Trash-bot at the End of the World" is an odd one. It is published here for the first time.
"Fallout 3 versus The Omega Man" is an article comparing a computer game to a movie. It was first published in "New York Review of Science Fiction."
"Fallout 3: Rebirth of a Franchise" is an article about a computer game, published here for the first time.
"List of Ten Classic Tales in the Style of Fallout" is published here for the first time.
187 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2016
16 people are currently reading
2023 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 11, 2020
I entered a Goodreads giveaway for this book mostly because my teenager has been trying to get me to play the Fallout games for a few years now. I'm a die-hard Skyrim fan....and that's usually the only video game I play. When I finish the game....I pick a new race, start over and make new choices. My son rolls his eyes and gives me the usual speech...."There are thousands of great games out there. Try something new!'' So, I think winning a copy of this book was an excellent opportunity to get me at least considering trying Fallout. Getting a taste of the plot and world feel involved...good starting place. I love dystopian, apocolyptic type books....so I figured this would not only be an enjoyable story collection but also a way to get me excited about trying a different video game.
Mission accomplished.
This book has 9 stories, a couple little articles on Fallout/video games, and a list of stories similar to Fallout and even a book list. The stories are enjoyable, and a nice mixed collection. Everything from alternate history, to nukes, to robots. I enjoyed the comparison of Fallout to The Omega Man in one of the articles. The stories are well-written and entertaining. I had a great time reading this entire book!
I think I'm ready to give Fallout a try. Skyrim is still my main video game home.....but I'm a bit miffed they keep pushing back the release time frame for the new game. I got all excited about a return to Skyrim....and then the date kept slipping back, back, back.... Dammit Bethesda! lol Just kidding....I want it to be the best it can be, so I'm willing to wait. I will just take a sidestep and try the Fallout games. :) (But please put the new game out before I'm too old to see the screen! lol)
Enjoyable stories! And, I'm going to take my son's advice and try the Fallout games! And, he sends a sincere salute to Michael Andre-Driussi for getting me to finally take the plunge.
**I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads.com giveaway. I write this review voluntarily and the free copy had no bearing on my review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
Mission accomplished.
This book has 9 stories, a couple little articles on Fallout/video games, and a list of stories similar to Fallout and even a book list. The stories are enjoyable, and a nice mixed collection. Everything from alternate history, to nukes, to robots. I enjoyed the comparison of Fallout to The Omega Man in one of the articles. The stories are well-written and entertaining. I had a great time reading this entire book!
I think I'm ready to give Fallout a try. Skyrim is still my main video game home.....but I'm a bit miffed they keep pushing back the release time frame for the new game. I got all excited about a return to Skyrim....and then the date kept slipping back, back, back.... Dammit Bethesda! lol Just kidding....I want it to be the best it can be, so I'm willing to wait. I will just take a sidestep and try the Fallout games. :) (But please put the new game out before I'm too old to see the screen! lol)
Enjoyable stories! And, I'm going to take my son's advice and try the Fallout games! And, he sends a sincere salute to Michael Andre-Driussi for getting me to finally take the plunge.
**I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads.com giveaway. I write this review voluntarily and the free copy had no bearing on my review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
July 7, 2020
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
Collection of stories about life after a nuclear war. Most of them were pretty dreary.
Collection of stories about life after a nuclear war. Most of them were pretty dreary.
October 1, 2018
Enjoyable disturbing
I don't know anything about the Fallout series of video games, such this collection apparently inspired. I received my Kindle copy of the book free in exchange for an honest review.
I thought most of the stories were enjoyably disturbing. They were well written, and hold up well on their own separate from the Fallout Universe.
I thought the tales were the right length for a short read and a little contemplation afterward, which is what I look for in a good spec fic story.
I don't know anything about the Fallout series of video games, such this collection apparently inspired. I received my Kindle copy of the book free in exchange for an honest review.
I thought most of the stories were enjoyably disturbing. They were well written, and hold up well on their own separate from the Fallout Universe.
I thought the tales were the right length for a short read and a little contemplation afterward, which is what I look for in a good spec fic story.
dnf
September 28, 2018writing style didn't appeal to me - may try again when i have more patience!
May 12, 2019
For me this was a DNF. I found the stories I did read to be dull, plodding and obvious. There was nothing special, and I was so bored that I really couldn't go on.
October 1, 2018
I was very disappointed in this book.
The majority of these stories have nothing to do with the Fallout world. In fact, they are pretty much just stories about apocalypses. I enjoyed a couple of the stories but even these didn't give me enough. The stories end before there is any real meaning and I was unsure of why to tell these stories.
There are also a few essays. The first one about morality in Fallout showed the author didn't get the complexity of the morality system in the game., But the second essay about adapting the games for the new gaming systems was well research and shed a light on what's so wonderful about the games.
The majority of these stories have nothing to do with the Fallout world. In fact, they are pretty much just stories about apocalypses. I enjoyed a couple of the stories but even these didn't give me enough. The stories end before there is any real meaning and I was unsure of why to tell these stories.
There are also a few essays. The first one about morality in Fallout showed the author didn't get the complexity of the morality system in the game., But the second essay about adapting the games for the new gaming systems was well research and shed a light on what's so wonderful about the games.
January 20, 2019
I received this book for free through a giveaway hosted on GoodReads.
Fallout Stories is a mixed bag of short stories and articles. The book starts out with nine stories that, while not taking place in the Fallout universe, as might be expected, are a variety of stories that are supposed to have the same “feel” as the game series, covering a variety of apocalypse scenarios, from nuclear fallout and its aftermath, to disease, to the rise of new races challenging human existence, and in the final “story”, The Brave Little Trash Bot at the End of the World, movie reviewers discussing how humans could bring about their end not with the sudden bang of war, but with a slow fizzle by either poor life choices or lack of sustainable reproductive rates. Then, once the reader has had their fill of fiction, they are provided with two articles about the third Fallout game, the game that resurrected the franchise, with one pointing out the flaws of one set of quests in the game while the other applauds the way the game improves on the Fallout universe while also giving voice to the hesitance some gamers familiar with the first two games might have for how drastic some of the changes made might be. Then, if you still have not gotten enough, the book closes with a list of other apocalypse stories, sorted by the themes they explore, for readers to find for further reading,
As I said, the book is a mixed bag. Some of the stories were great and interesting while others fell short. All presented interesting and plausible theories about how the world might respond to an end to civilization as we know it, though their ability to people the world they created and use it in interesting ways varied from author to author. And, as others have mentioned, they have little to do with the Fallout franchise, other than the commonality of being about post-end worlds. I enjoyed most of them (they the aforementioned Brave Little Trash Bot was, as the synopsis called it, odd, and couldn’t really be called a “story” save for by the loosest terms, and was probably my least favorite). It would probably have benefitted from having a different title, and having the fact it was compiled to celebrate the anniversary of Fallout 3’s release be a detail left in the synopsis, as I have seen a lot of other reviews that have expressed disappointment that these were not, if not actual fanfiction, not even aking places in worlds that resemble the Fallout-verse. If it had been called something like “Tales from the End” or another title that expressed its apocalypse theme without implying a close relation to Fallout, more people may go in with more favorable expectations.
The articles about Fallout 3 were informative, but as they were articles instead of stories, they could appear on the dry side at times. For someone who was really interested in the production side of Fallout, rather than just playing the games, these articles would be great, though their ability to catch the interest of the casual reader is questionable. The suggested further reading was probably the one more relevant to a casual reader, and would be a good resource for anyone who enjoys apocalypse stories. The whole book isn’t bad, and would be good for people who like playing Fallout or games with similar settings, or reading books and stories set after most of humanity has dies out. As mentioned, it’s major shortcoming was more its forefront attempt to attach itself to Fallout rather than its actual content.
Fallout Stories is a mixed bag of short stories and articles. The book starts out with nine stories that, while not taking place in the Fallout universe, as might be expected, are a variety of stories that are supposed to have the same “feel” as the game series, covering a variety of apocalypse scenarios, from nuclear fallout and its aftermath, to disease, to the rise of new races challenging human existence, and in the final “story”, The Brave Little Trash Bot at the End of the World, movie reviewers discussing how humans could bring about their end not with the sudden bang of war, but with a slow fizzle by either poor life choices or lack of sustainable reproductive rates. Then, once the reader has had their fill of fiction, they are provided with two articles about the third Fallout game, the game that resurrected the franchise, with one pointing out the flaws of one set of quests in the game while the other applauds the way the game improves on the Fallout universe while also giving voice to the hesitance some gamers familiar with the first two games might have for how drastic some of the changes made might be. Then, if you still have not gotten enough, the book closes with a list of other apocalypse stories, sorted by the themes they explore, for readers to find for further reading,
As I said, the book is a mixed bag. Some of the stories were great and interesting while others fell short. All presented interesting and plausible theories about how the world might respond to an end to civilization as we know it, though their ability to people the world they created and use it in interesting ways varied from author to author. And, as others have mentioned, they have little to do with the Fallout franchise, other than the commonality of being about post-end worlds. I enjoyed most of them (they the aforementioned Brave Little Trash Bot was, as the synopsis called it, odd, and couldn’t really be called a “story” save for by the loosest terms, and was probably my least favorite). It would probably have benefitted from having a different title, and having the fact it was compiled to celebrate the anniversary of Fallout 3’s release be a detail left in the synopsis, as I have seen a lot of other reviews that have expressed disappointment that these were not, if not actual fanfiction, not even aking places in worlds that resemble the Fallout-verse. If it had been called something like “Tales from the End” or another title that expressed its apocalypse theme without implying a close relation to Fallout, more people may go in with more favorable expectations.
The articles about Fallout 3 were informative, but as they were articles instead of stories, they could appear on the dry side at times. For someone who was really interested in the production side of Fallout, rather than just playing the games, these articles would be great, though their ability to catch the interest of the casual reader is questionable. The suggested further reading was probably the one more relevant to a casual reader, and would be a good resource for anyone who enjoys apocalypse stories. The whole book isn’t bad, and would be good for people who like playing Fallout or games with similar settings, or reading books and stories set after most of humanity has dies out. As mentioned, it’s major shortcoming was more its forefront attempt to attach itself to Fallout rather than its actual content.
January 7, 2019
Not my speed
I entered a GoodReads giveaway for this book thinking our son, a player of the Fallout video games might enjoy reading it. He was uninterested in reading about a video game; he would much rather play it. I thought I would give it a go. Fans of the game series may enjoy reading this collection of stories. If you like science fiction, robots and cyborgs, dystopian tales this is likely your cup of tea. It is not mine. This is so far out of my wheelhouse thatch didn't always understand the lingo or ideas as much of it was either too technical or genre specific for me. There appears to be a good variety to the stories so fans of these sorts of things are sure to find a good fit.
I entered a GoodReads giveaway for this book thinking our son, a player of the Fallout video games might enjoy reading it. He was uninterested in reading about a video game; he would much rather play it. I thought I would give it a go. Fans of the game series may enjoy reading this collection of stories. If you like science fiction, robots and cyborgs, dystopian tales this is likely your cup of tea. It is not mine. This is so far out of my wheelhouse thatch didn't always understand the lingo or ideas as much of it was either too technical or genre specific for me. There appears to be a good variety to the stories so fans of these sorts of things are sure to find a good fit.
July 19, 2019
First in the book is a series of unconnected short stories set in various times in a post-apocalyptic world. Then there are some essays discussing Fallout and it's sequels, followed by some suggested stories from other authors if you like the post-apoc genre.
This book was just "meh" for me. Didn't hate it, but wasn't really taken in by any of the short stories. I haven't played Fallout, and the book does make me want to try it in the future (when I actually have 40-hour days.) The recommended reading section at the end was probably the handiest section for me, as I already like some of the suggested authors.
This book was just "meh" for me. Didn't hate it, but wasn't really taken in by any of the short stories. I haven't played Fallout, and the book does make me want to try it in the future (when I actually have 40-hour days.) The recommended reading section at the end was probably the handiest section for me, as I already like some of the suggested authors.
November 20, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for a review.
Fallout Stories is a collection of short stories concerning events after an apocalypse. These are mostly post nuclear attack. There is also a collection of film reviews and video game reviews. The stories are enjoyable enough, but the reviews at the end I found to be tedious and feel it would have been a much better book without them In fact, I removed a star because of this. Maybe this is because I stopped playing video games about 35 years ago. If you enjoy these kinds of stories, I can heartily recommend the collection. Just put it down when you get to the reviews.
Fallout Stories is a collection of short stories concerning events after an apocalypse. These are mostly post nuclear attack. There is also a collection of film reviews and video game reviews. The stories are enjoyable enough, but the reviews at the end I found to be tedious and feel it would have been a much better book without them In fact, I removed a star because of this. Maybe this is because I stopped playing video games about 35 years ago. If you enjoy these kinds of stories, I can heartily recommend the collection. Just put it down when you get to the reviews.
August 5, 2018
This is a collection of nine short stories chronicling the crisis of civilization after an apocalyptic event. The stories range from relatable to pure science fiction. My preference is for the former but they all are action packed and easy reads that kept me entertained. (The end of this book has two short articles about the video game, 'Fallout', that I am unfamiliar with so I skipped that section.) If this is your genre, you will enjoy this book.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
April 5, 2019
I won a copy of Fallout by Michael Andre-Driussi in a giveaway from Goodreads. As with any collection some stories are better than others and I really enjoyed the first couple of tales probably because they were alternative history. It also had some articles at the end dealing with the Fallout game and science fiction. They were interesting but I am not a gamer. I found the book mostly enjoyable and would recommend it to fans of the game and alternative fiction. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
May 27, 2022
***Goodreads Giveaway Win in exchange for an honest review***
I had to DNF it. It wasn't what I hoped it would be. Even in short stories you can develop things. This fell short. There are just so many things I didn't like about it. I was not going to finish it short or not without possibly not reading after it for a while. So I put it down.
I appreciate the free book but I sadly could not get through it.
I had to DNF it. It wasn't what I hoped it would be. Even in short stories you can develop things. This fell short. There are just so many things I didn't like about it. I was not going to finish it short or not without possibly not reading after it for a while. So I put it down.
I appreciate the free book but I sadly could not get through it.
December 30, 2023
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
DNF.
This is the first book of 2023 that I DNF. I'm a fan of the Fallout games and wanted to like this book. Between the writing style and blatantly racist language (I get it, the stories take place in the past but it's gratuitous and unnecessary and doesn't make the characters seem edgy or cool) I wasn't drawn into these stories.
DNF.
This is the first book of 2023 that I DNF. I'm a fan of the Fallout games and wanted to like this book. Between the writing style and blatantly racist language (I get it, the stories take place in the past but it's gratuitous and unnecessary and doesn't make the characters seem edgy or cool) I wasn't drawn into these stories.
August 17, 2019
Game promo or short stories
At first I enjoyed the first 2-3 stories and could see how they could all be linked- which I thought was clever. As I continued reading, I noticed some of the stories weren't in the " same universe. " the last two "short stories" we're really reviews/ facts about the video game Fallout. HUH?!
At first I enjoyed the first 2-3 stories and could see how they could all be linked- which I thought was clever. As I continued reading, I noticed some of the stories weren't in the " same universe. " the last two "short stories" we're really reviews/ facts about the video game Fallout. HUH?!
March 31, 2022
9 Good Stories
I enjoyed the first 9 stories in the book. Each different yet so similar as a life after a nuke. Kind of weird to see what a future after a nuclear war would be like. I don’t want to be there. I never played the PC fallout games so those short stories meant nothing to me. Good book though.
I received this free ebook through Goodreads.
I enjoyed the first 9 stories in the book. Each different yet so similar as a life after a nuke. Kind of weird to see what a future after a nuclear war would be like. I don’t want to be there. I never played the PC fallout games so those short stories meant nothing to me. Good book though.
I received this free ebook through Goodreads.
May 2, 2022
First, this collection has nothing to do with the Fallout game by Bethesda. Second, this collection is about nuclear war it's fallout, except it isn't. Sure some stories fit the profile but others do not. As usual with this type of anthology, some stories are better than others. It does have a piece that isn't actually a story about the Fallout franchise. A pretty mixed bag.
November 29, 2022
Can't say this will be will be going down as one of my favorite books of 2022.
Almost wanted to DNF! However, since it was a giveaway, I felt compelled to finish. (I detest not finishing what I start)
Thank you Goodreads Giveaways and to the author, Michael Andre-Driussi.
#GOODREADSGIVEAWAYS
#WINNER
Almost wanted to DNF! However, since it was a giveaway, I felt compelled to finish. (I detest not finishing what I start)
Thank you Goodreads Giveaways and to the author, Michael Andre-Driussi.
#GOODREADSGIVEAWAYS
#WINNER
March 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Fallout Stories was an engaging and enjoyable read, filled with compelling characters and a story that kept me hooked from start to finish. The writing was immersive, and I loved the way it made me feel completely transported into its world!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Fallout Stories was an engaging and enjoyable read, filled with compelling characters and a story that kept me hooked from start to finish. The writing was immersive, and I loved the way it made me feel completely transported into its world!
June 30, 2019
***Received via Goodreads Giveaway***
These stories did nothing for me. So many of them stopped abruptly, the writing was so-so, and a few were very meandering and didn't make much sense. I saw where he was going with one, but it just wasn't executed very well.
These stories did nothing for me. So many of them stopped abruptly, the writing was so-so, and a few were very meandering and didn't make much sense. I saw where he was going with one, but it just wasn't executed very well.
August 27, 2019
I received my Kindle copy of the book free in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to like the book but just could not get into it. I did not finish. However, if at a later date I do make it through it, I'll update my rating and give a better review.
I wanted to like the book but just could not get into it. I did not finish. However, if at a later date I do make it through it, I'll update my rating and give a better review.
October 5, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway.
My sons enjoy the Fallout games, so I was looking forward to reading this book. I expected the stories to be dreary and apocalyptic. I hoped they'd be better than they were. They needed more depth of character.
My sons enjoy the Fallout games, so I was looking forward to reading this book. I expected the stories to be dreary and apocalyptic. I hoped they'd be better than they were. They needed more depth of character.
March 18, 2022
Fallout
I enjoyed these short stories. The dystopian nature and moral grey areas follow the genre very well. The essays about the games were ok, but when reading I prefer the stories.
I enjoyed these short stories. The dystopian nature and moral grey areas follow the genre very well. The essays about the games were ok, but when reading I prefer the stories.
September 19, 2022
I enjoyed this the most of the three Driussi anthologies that I've read. The variation of stories and settings was interesting and engaging, while all maintained respect for and connection to the "fallout" theme.
September 11, 2023
I enjoyed the majority of the short stories. The only downfall is they could be full length stories but they aren't. I would recommend this to anyone who loves fallout type stories. I can't really say to much because I don't want to give anything away in any of the stories.
September 6, 2018
Great collection worth the read
November 12, 2018
I really enjoyed this it helped me relax kinda I could put it down and didn't sleep but it's that good
December 30, 2018
I won a KINDLE edition in a GOODREADS giveaway.
April 9, 2019
Interesting stories
May 8, 2019
I won this in a Goodreads give away. It was a quick collection of short stories with different post-apocalyptic themes but most were so-so or were interesting but cut off too abruptly to enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews