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Disnaeland
What if the end of the world is the best thing that’s never happened to us? Disnaeland is a heartbreaking wonder of a book that tells of a community building a new world in the ruins of the old.
In the central Scottish town of Dundule, residents of the Busy Bee Flats – Donna and her eight-year old daughter, dour ex-miner Douglas, big Giorgio the chip shop fryer, young Tam and Mac in their drug dreams – struggle like everyone else. Then the lights go out. Winter, and it’s a global blackout. Now’s the choice. Go wild and raid the streets, or come together.
Mixing tenderness and broad comedy, Disnaeland draws us deep inside a community as it fights to build a new world in the ruins of the old. Starting with the deeply personal, Disnaeland goes on to shift to the visionary.
But there’s no paradise yet. Botched deals, armed survivalists and raids threaten to destroy progress. And the occasional screech of a fighter jet reminds them that the nuclear threat still looms…
‘Unlike most dystopian fiction, this is a uniquely hopeful and uplifting novel. DD Johnston finds hope in the human capacity for love and renewal even after the apocalyptic collapse in the bleakest of places. He shows how the breakdown of one society can open the way for a better one to emerge. An awesome achievement.’ – Rob Newman
In the central Scottish town of Dundule, residents of the Busy Bee Flats – Donna and her eight-year old daughter, dour ex-miner Douglas, big Giorgio the chip shop fryer, young Tam and Mac in their drug dreams – struggle like everyone else. Then the lights go out. Winter, and it’s a global blackout. Now’s the choice. Go wild and raid the streets, or come together.
Mixing tenderness and broad comedy, Disnaeland draws us deep inside a community as it fights to build a new world in the ruins of the old. Starting with the deeply personal, Disnaeland goes on to shift to the visionary.
But there’s no paradise yet. Botched deals, armed survivalists and raids threaten to destroy progress. And the occasional screech of a fighter jet reminds them that the nuclear threat still looms…
‘Unlike most dystopian fiction, this is a uniquely hopeful and uplifting novel. DD Johnston finds hope in the human capacity for love and renewal even after the apocalyptic collapse in the bleakest of places. He shows how the breakdown of one society can open the way for a better one to emerge. An awesome achievement.’ – Rob Newman
- GenresFiction
352 pages, Hardcover
Published July 7, 2022
8 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
D.D. Johnston
4 books78 followersD.D. Johnston is a Scottish author, who now lives in Cheltenham, England, where he works as a lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Gloucestershire. His first novel, Peace, Love, & Petrol Bombs (AK Press), was a Sunday Herald Books of the Year for 2011 and has been translated into Spanish as Paz, amor y cócteles molotov.
His second novel, The Deconstruction of Professor Thrub, was a 2013 book of the year in the Morning Star, where it was described as 'determinedly extraordinary.'
His third novel, The Secret Baby Room, is a tense psychological thriller:
"As her own life falls apart, Claire risks everything in her quest. It’s an investigation that leads her not only towards the dark knowledge of past crimes but towards an understanding of the damaged lives of those around her. Johnston offers us a wonderfully gripping read, but also a compassionate and moving story of people struggling to survive at the margins of a rapidly changing city." - Crime Culture
His second novel, The Deconstruction of Professor Thrub, was a 2013 book of the year in the Morning Star, where it was described as 'determinedly extraordinary.'
His third novel, The Secret Baby Room, is a tense psychological thriller:
"As her own life falls apart, Claire risks everything in her quest. It’s an investigation that leads her not only towards the dark knowledge of past crimes but towards an understanding of the damaged lives of those around her. Johnston offers us a wonderfully gripping read, but also a compassionate and moving story of people struggling to survive at the margins of a rapidly changing city." - Crime Culture
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 8, 2022
Disnaeland follows the residents of the Busy Bee flats in the town of Dundule in central Scotland as the power goes out one day and doesn’t come back on. We get a selection of believable and relatable characters- the secretly big hearted chip shop owner, the stressed single parent, the pair of young men whose main interest is getting wasted, the curmudgeonly ex miner- who have overcome whatever differences they have to help each other get by.
I’ve read a lot of post apocalyptic fiction, and the overwhelming majority follows the template of civilisation collapsing into barbarism, with a few exceptional individuals coming along to save the day. If there are any working class characters, they’re usually marauding gangs of looters or as in John Wyndam’s Day Of The Triffids and Terry Nation’s Survivors, totalitarian do-gooders going to impose some kind of Stalinist regime where they’ll force the polite middle class heroes into helping others. In reality, in the aftermath of major disasters, people generally look after each other and things quite often only get dangerous once the state tries to reassert itself.
There’s a lot of warmth in the book, pretty much everyone ends up contributing something useful to the community, from the failed hippy organic farmer who suddenly finds himself feeding many more people than he anticipated, to the child whose horse riding lessons can be put to practical use, to the local young team who end up standing up for the locals when some survivalists start trying to assert their will to power. The world they remake brings a sense of community and purpose that is missing from the alienation of capitalism.
It’s also extremely funny, few other authors are brave enough to tackle the logistics of post collapse shitein.
We need to tell ourselves better stories about everything, including the end of the world as we know it, this is a great place to start.
I’ve read a lot of post apocalyptic fiction, and the overwhelming majority follows the template of civilisation collapsing into barbarism, with a few exceptional individuals coming along to save the day. If there are any working class characters, they’re usually marauding gangs of looters or as in John Wyndam’s Day Of The Triffids and Terry Nation’s Survivors, totalitarian do-gooders going to impose some kind of Stalinist regime where they’ll force the polite middle class heroes into helping others. In reality, in the aftermath of major disasters, people generally look after each other and things quite often only get dangerous once the state tries to reassert itself.
There’s a lot of warmth in the book, pretty much everyone ends up contributing something useful to the community, from the failed hippy organic farmer who suddenly finds himself feeding many more people than he anticipated, to the child whose horse riding lessons can be put to practical use, to the local young team who end up standing up for the locals when some survivalists start trying to assert their will to power. The world they remake brings a sense of community and purpose that is missing from the alienation of capitalism.
It’s also extremely funny, few other authors are brave enough to tackle the logistics of post collapse shitein.
We need to tell ourselves better stories about everything, including the end of the world as we know it, this is a great place to start.
January 10, 2023
“They’re gaunae turn Scotland intae a theme park and they’re gaunae call it Disnaeland. They’re gaunae call it Disnaeland, he says, cause it disnae vote for them, it disnae like them, and it disnae F-ing matter.”
The story of the end of the world narrated by an almost Moira Bellesque character! (IYKYK!)
Well this was a hoot from start to finish! What a wild ride on that rollercoaster of Disnaeland and one I would recommend you all take at least once in yer life!
Written in Central Belts Scot’s Dialect, Disnaeland is the satirical dystopian novel we didnae ken we were missing out on. Somewhere within Dundule is a character for you- whether it’s the single maw who doesn’t know what to do, the radical feminist stuck in a mundane job she hates or even the mad drug dealer for the local mad squad. You think it, it’s in there!
This is a proper Scottish community spirit novel showing us what’s good about our communities- whilst also taking this piss out of everything we are. Sounds like us right? Scotlands answer to the walking dead without the zombies and shows us just what our random council estate folk would actually do if the end of the world was nigh.
The answer the author has given us is somewhere between not alot and you won’t even believe it…. But I was here for every page!
The story of the end of the world narrated by an almost Moira Bellesque character! (IYKYK!)
Well this was a hoot from start to finish! What a wild ride on that rollercoaster of Disnaeland and one I would recommend you all take at least once in yer life!
Written in Central Belts Scot’s Dialect, Disnaeland is the satirical dystopian novel we didnae ken we were missing out on. Somewhere within Dundule is a character for you- whether it’s the single maw who doesn’t know what to do, the radical feminist stuck in a mundane job she hates or even the mad drug dealer for the local mad squad. You think it, it’s in there!
This is a proper Scottish community spirit novel showing us what’s good about our communities- whilst also taking this piss out of everything we are. Sounds like us right? Scotlands answer to the walking dead without the zombies and shows us just what our random council estate folk would actually do if the end of the world was nigh.
The answer the author has given us is somewhere between not alot and you won’t even believe it…. But I was here for every page!
December 30, 2022
This book is a revelation.
I’d heard of the banality of evil but this book illuminates the banality of transcendent human goodness in everyday folks.
The most uplifting post apocalyptic novel I’ve read.
Laugh out loud hilarious, dark horror and the wonder of real human relationships.
Buy it, read it.
I’d heard of the banality of evil but this book illuminates the banality of transcendent human goodness in everyday folks.
The most uplifting post apocalyptic novel I’ve read.
Laugh out loud hilarious, dark horror and the wonder of real human relationships.
Buy it, read it.
December 11, 2025
In this social media age of booktube, constant streams of book recs and ever growing TBRs, it is uncommon for me to see a book in store and buy it solely based on the cover and synopsis. But I'm glad I did. This book is a VIBE. Truly a hidden gem that deserves a wider readership and that I believe will grow one over time.
At times gross and disturbing, this book has so much heart. Filled with memorable characters, humour, empathy, commentary and satire, I never thought the End of the World as We Know It could look so appealing.
At times gross and disturbing, this book has so much heart. Filled with memorable characters, humour, empathy, commentary and satire, I never thought the End of the World as We Know It could look so appealing.
July 4, 2022
It took me exactly one chapter to be obsessed with this book. Obviously being Scottish, I understood the language the book was written in perfectly, and it was actually nice to be reading something that I related to so much. All the characters resonated with people I know In real life, and I found this hilarious.
With the book being set during a time similar to the Covid lockdown and cost of living (electricity, gas, petrol etc) increase, it was really relatable, and I thought this would possibly be a negative, but it actually ended up being really uplifting.
I don’t think there was a character I didn’t like (even if I did love to hate some of them) and I actually laughed out loud several times during reading. I found myself rooting for them all, with their different little quirks and ways of dealing with things, and every single one of them made the story such an enjoyable reading experience.
Such a quirky, morbid, uplifting and hilarious little book, that will leave you thinking about the characters for days (maybe even weeks)!
Thank you to @thebooknetwork.co.uk, Barbican Press & the author for the early e-arc.
With the book being set during a time similar to the Covid lockdown and cost of living (electricity, gas, petrol etc) increase, it was really relatable, and I thought this would possibly be a negative, but it actually ended up being really uplifting.
I don’t think there was a character I didn’t like (even if I did love to hate some of them) and I actually laughed out loud several times during reading. I found myself rooting for them all, with their different little quirks and ways of dealing with things, and every single one of them made the story such an enjoyable reading experience.
Such a quirky, morbid, uplifting and hilarious little book, that will leave you thinking about the characters for days (maybe even weeks)!
Thank you to @thebooknetwork.co.uk, Barbican Press & the author for the early e-arc.
July 6, 2022
This book was so good, I read it in 24 hours! The story is deeply engaging and written in such a way that helps the audience have compassion for all the characters, even as we laugh at their foibles, recognising ourselves and others we know. D.D. is a well educated man who puts such care into his research that the book is completely believable, full of intriguing references to cultural movements and social history while never detracting from his superb skill as a storyteller. I feel deeply uplifted and inspired after reading Disnaeland and happily recommend it to anyone looking for a good read! And if you're not already fluent in Scots, it's worth the effort to engage with the language.
January 7, 2023
This was a really funny telling of an alternate-universe’s Scotland and its approach to adapting life in the early days of a dystopian event. The humour was pleasantly absurd at times and I was laughing at least every second page if not questioning how daft some of the characters’ decisions were. With factions and new communities being built reminding me of dystopian works like The Walking Dead (when it was good!), this read a bit a like Cormac McCarthy’s The Road if it was set across a few episodes of Chewin’ the Fat.
July 8, 2023
A new fave, so good!
July 12, 2022
Thank you to The Book Network for an advance digital copy of Disnaeland by D.D. Johnston in exchange for an honest review!
I really liked Disnaeland. This book was refreshingly original and outside of my usual genres. But Johnston is a great writer, creating a world that the reader gets drawn right into. And it’s particularly relevant in today’s world, complete with Russian military action, fuel shortages, and the heavy feeling of a changing world.
It’s the end of the world as we know it, and we get a glimpse into the lives of the residents of Dundule, Scotland. Written with the Scottish dialect, we truly get a feel for Dundule and it’s residents as they try to cope with no electricity, no water, no fuel, no public services, and no food. They can descend into chaos, or work together and sing kumbaya, or somewhere in between. The book explores people’s various reactions and feelings, as well as back stories and histories, as the world ends around them.
The characters are diverse, have depth and some grow over the course of the novel. They are very well developed, and I was truly interested in each character and their story. I felt like I knew them, or at least knew of them. I definitely had favorites - one character I thought was kind of a jerk in the beginning ended up being one of my favorites (Giorgio!).
This book was really thought provoking. It stuck with me, in my mind, when not reading and after I finished. On the surface, it’s dystopian tale but really it’s about people and human nature. Strangely uplifting for such a despairing premise, there’s laugh out loud humor and parts that will make your heart swell with happiness. I laughed, I cried (I cry at most everything so other readers may not!) and I enjoyed the ride.
Overall, this was a great and timely read. Going in, it was a challenge to myself, because I am not looking forward to the end of the world so I generally avoid books with that element. I’m really glad I stepped out of my comfort zone with this, because it was a great read. I think Johnston is the type of writer who could write about anything and make it engaging and interesting. On top of that, the way Johnston’s mind works is amazing, because this book was not vanilla and predictable, but full of life and laughter, twists and turns, and unexpected things. I would definitely like to read more of Johnston’s works. And I hope there are more to come!
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy being immersed a book’s world, readers who enjoy well plotted and detailed books, readers who like well-developed characters, readers who like to laugh and think, and basically everyone!
I really liked Disnaeland. This book was refreshingly original and outside of my usual genres. But Johnston is a great writer, creating a world that the reader gets drawn right into. And it’s particularly relevant in today’s world, complete with Russian military action, fuel shortages, and the heavy feeling of a changing world.
It’s the end of the world as we know it, and we get a glimpse into the lives of the residents of Dundule, Scotland. Written with the Scottish dialect, we truly get a feel for Dundule and it’s residents as they try to cope with no electricity, no water, no fuel, no public services, and no food. They can descend into chaos, or work together and sing kumbaya, or somewhere in between. The book explores people’s various reactions and feelings, as well as back stories and histories, as the world ends around them.
The characters are diverse, have depth and some grow over the course of the novel. They are very well developed, and I was truly interested in each character and their story. I felt like I knew them, or at least knew of them. I definitely had favorites - one character I thought was kind of a jerk in the beginning ended up being one of my favorites (Giorgio!).
This book was really thought provoking. It stuck with me, in my mind, when not reading and after I finished. On the surface, it’s dystopian tale but really it’s about people and human nature. Strangely uplifting for such a despairing premise, there’s laugh out loud humor and parts that will make your heart swell with happiness. I laughed, I cried (I cry at most everything so other readers may not!) and I enjoyed the ride.
Overall, this was a great and timely read. Going in, it was a challenge to myself, because I am not looking forward to the end of the world so I generally avoid books with that element. I’m really glad I stepped out of my comfort zone with this, because it was a great read. I think Johnston is the type of writer who could write about anything and make it engaging and interesting. On top of that, the way Johnston’s mind works is amazing, because this book was not vanilla and predictable, but full of life and laughter, twists and turns, and unexpected things. I would definitely like to read more of Johnston’s works. And I hope there are more to come!
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy being immersed a book’s world, readers who enjoy well plotted and detailed books, readers who like well-developed characters, readers who like to laugh and think, and basically everyone!
July 3, 2022
I want to start by saying that this was gifted a copy of this to review. My review is honest and left voluntarily. Also, as always I try to avoid too many spoilers, bar character names etc. to ensure any twists, turns or surprises can be enjoyed by readers.
Where do I start with this book? I do like it, and I wanted to rate it higher but I found the way it was written was both brilliant but jarring which took away some of the enjoyment for me personally. That is why I rounded a 3.5stars up to 4 stars. Disnealand is a brilliant sci-fi dystopia novel with memorable characters and an interesting set up. Told via notebooks of a man in our timeline and universe of what happened in a different one. This has all the makings of a unique and great book.
The characters are all fleshed out, with their own motivations, desires and downfalls and you can easily connect, or not, with them. The one thing for me as I already mentioned was the writing style. Firstly Johnston is brilliant at capturing the Scottish-ness of the novel and the people but unfortunately for me it was a bit too much. If it had been just the conversations I may have been able to gel with the book more but since the majority is written as if spoken in the Scottish dialect spellings and all I found it a bit off putting. I do, however, admire Johnston for being able to capture the essence of the language so well, hence rounding up, I just feel that some readers may find this a bit off putting for continuing the book, although it is definitely worth finishing.
One thing I did love about the novel though, again already touched on, was the characters and seeing how they interact with the world around them and each other as the world begins to fall apart is very poignant. More so in today’s world we find ourselves in. I have to say, despite the slight block of the writing for me this is probably one of my top dystopian books now and I will recommend this to fellow fans of sci-fi and dystopia’s.
Where do I start with this book? I do like it, and I wanted to rate it higher but I found the way it was written was both brilliant but jarring which took away some of the enjoyment for me personally. That is why I rounded a 3.5stars up to 4 stars. Disnealand is a brilliant sci-fi dystopia novel with memorable characters and an interesting set up. Told via notebooks of a man in our timeline and universe of what happened in a different one. This has all the makings of a unique and great book.
The characters are all fleshed out, with their own motivations, desires and downfalls and you can easily connect, or not, with them. The one thing for me as I already mentioned was the writing style. Firstly Johnston is brilliant at capturing the Scottish-ness of the novel and the people but unfortunately for me it was a bit too much. If it had been just the conversations I may have been able to gel with the book more but since the majority is written as if spoken in the Scottish dialect spellings and all I found it a bit off putting. I do, however, admire Johnston for being able to capture the essence of the language so well, hence rounding up, I just feel that some readers may find this a bit off putting for continuing the book, although it is definitely worth finishing.
One thing I did love about the novel though, again already touched on, was the characters and seeing how they interact with the world around them and each other as the world begins to fall apart is very poignant. More so in today’s world we find ourselves in. I have to say, despite the slight block of the writing for me this is probably one of my top dystopian books now and I will recommend this to fellow fans of sci-fi and dystopia’s.
June 26, 2022
Wow this book was amazing. I just couldn't put it down and had to stay up late to finish reading it. I only dabble in sci-fi, so I'm no expert but this book shouted out to be read as it is really believable it could happen and this are the kinds of dystopia books that I love. It's a completely different type of book than I am used to being wrote in Scottish dialect. This was difficult at first to decipher but a few Googled words and I was off. Maybe should of had a translation page lol ps Ken is know.
The story-line was so much fun and was a brilliant exciting roller coaster ride.
The characters was a really broad range that normally won't get along together but considering the story line that had to which made the story all the more atmospheric and helped the tension levels . It flowed so well even with it moving to different groups.
My favourite bit was reading how the characters developed creating this fantastic community spirit. I can't recommend this book enough it was just amazing and eye opening. It has to be the best dystopia I have ever read and also the best book I have read this month. It will definitely stick in my mind for a while. And considering the amount of books I read that's saying something.
I really can't wait to read more books by this very talented author, especially not im competent at reading Scottish ;).
Only the highest of praise goes out to the author and publishing team for creating this stunning believable story that you become emotionally invested in. This book needs to become the best seller it deserves and should even be made into a series or film.
The story-line was so much fun and was a brilliant exciting roller coaster ride.
The characters was a really broad range that normally won't get along together but considering the story line that had to which made the story all the more atmospheric and helped the tension levels . It flowed so well even with it moving to different groups.
My favourite bit was reading how the characters developed creating this fantastic community spirit. I can't recommend this book enough it was just amazing and eye opening. It has to be the best dystopia I have ever read and also the best book I have read this month. It will definitely stick in my mind for a while. And considering the amount of books I read that's saying something.
I really can't wait to read more books by this very talented author, especially not im competent at reading Scottish ;).
Only the highest of praise goes out to the author and publishing team for creating this stunning believable story that you become emotionally invested in. This book needs to become the best seller it deserves and should even be made into a series or film.
December 21, 2022
What a fucken belter of a book.
Politics on point, compassionate, hilarious and heartbreaking.
Best thing I read all year.
Politics on point, compassionate, hilarious and heartbreaking.
Best thing I read all year.
March 7, 2024
Set in the present, Scottish novelist D.D. Johnson’s wonderful novel Disnaeland is about an alternative Scotland almost exactly the same as ours. In this Scotland, however, inexplicably, suddenly, apocalyptically, nothing works, due to some kind of power failure that kills remotely sourced electricity, the Internet and mobile communications. The narrator’s language is in Scottish vernacular and this alternative Scotland becomes a “does not” or “disnae” land, linking cleverly to the book’s title.
Post apocalypse, we spend our time with people in the town of Dundule: a single mother and daughter with money issues, a family that run an independent grocery shop, a group of teenage boys at a loose end on the streets, the owner of the local fish and chip shop, a middle aged woman academic, a single man who trains with a hobby group of survivalists, an inseparable pair of drug users. They are a diverse set of characters who could live round the corner from us, and who appear very authentic in their actions and interactions, an authenticity enhanced by the narrator’s matter of fact colloquial delivery. The characters seem to have real agency, that is, their motivations seem to be self generated, and most characters make interesting and sometimes surprising developments.
Fictional apocalypses are arenas for writers to explore the issue of the nature of human beings, in particular, human beings in situations where civilised society is failing or has failed. One famous viewpoint, of Thomas Hobbes, is that in its raw state, as it were, life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short", a “war of all against all”, and so people are justified in all kinds of selfish ruthless actions in order to survive, a Mad Max style dog-eat-dog scenario. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, by contrast, argue for a more social animal: that for nearly all of human history, before the agricultural revolution, hunter-gatherers lived successfully in primitive communistic (tribal) groups. Johnston’s characters explore a range of responses to a modern day apocalypse. Personally, I love the direction Johnston’s community takes things.
After this book, I recommend people try Rutger Bregman’s terrific book Humankind, where he investigates these and related issues of human nature and behaviour, with factual examples mainly from recent history, often busting popular myths about human behaviour.
Post apocalypse, we spend our time with people in the town of Dundule: a single mother and daughter with money issues, a family that run an independent grocery shop, a group of teenage boys at a loose end on the streets, the owner of the local fish and chip shop, a middle aged woman academic, a single man who trains with a hobby group of survivalists, an inseparable pair of drug users. They are a diverse set of characters who could live round the corner from us, and who appear very authentic in their actions and interactions, an authenticity enhanced by the narrator’s matter of fact colloquial delivery. The characters seem to have real agency, that is, their motivations seem to be self generated, and most characters make interesting and sometimes surprising developments.
Fictional apocalypses are arenas for writers to explore the issue of the nature of human beings, in particular, human beings in situations where civilised society is failing or has failed. One famous viewpoint, of Thomas Hobbes, is that in its raw state, as it were, life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short", a “war of all against all”, and so people are justified in all kinds of selfish ruthless actions in order to survive, a Mad Max style dog-eat-dog scenario. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, by contrast, argue for a more social animal: that for nearly all of human history, before the agricultural revolution, hunter-gatherers lived successfully in primitive communistic (tribal) groups. Johnston’s characters explore a range of responses to a modern day apocalypse. Personally, I love the direction Johnston’s community takes things.
After this book, I recommend people try Rutger Bregman’s terrific book Humankind, where he investigates these and related issues of human nature and behaviour, with factual examples mainly from recent history, often busting popular myths about human behaviour.
November 20, 2022
A heartwarming dystopian story, Disnaeland is about a group of people living in the same apartment block in the fictional Central Belt Scottish town, Dundule. One day, the power goes out all over the world and they’re left with an important choice: to start looting or unite together.
Plot 📖: as mentioned above, it is a heartwarming dystopian story so…. obviously they unite together. Fast-paced and thrilling, Disnaeland is a page turner. The characters are well written with proper arc. If you’ve ever been to Scotland and ridden one of our magical First Buses 🚌 , you’ve already met half of the characters in this novel.
While getting a happy feeling from an apocalyptic situation sounds unfeasible, Johnston manages to make it work by showing how bleak the current Dundee… oops I mean Dundule is. Because of this, a total societal breakdown pulls the people together and fosters community spirit.
Prose ✍️: Are you ready to read some Scots? Cause the whole novel is written in Scots dialect, which can be quite jarring if you’re not used to it. Disnaeland is my first Scots novel and, after a few chapters, I was able to get used to the language by imagining James McAvoy reading the book to me. Some parts of the novel are a bit cheesy, but this is just that kind of feel-good novel. However, any cheesy feel-good parts are balanced out by the rough Scots dialect, ya wee bam.
Excerpt:
‘…they’re gaunae turn Scotland intae a theme park and they’re gaunae call it Disnaeland. They’re gaunae call it Disnaeland, he says, cause it disnae vote for them, it disnae like them, and it disnae F-ing matter’
A 4.5 star read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️— but I’m biased AF.
Plot 📖: as mentioned above, it is a heartwarming dystopian story so…. obviously they unite together. Fast-paced and thrilling, Disnaeland is a page turner. The characters are well written with proper arc. If you’ve ever been to Scotland and ridden one of our magical First Buses 🚌 , you’ve already met half of the characters in this novel.
While getting a happy feeling from an apocalyptic situation sounds unfeasible, Johnston manages to make it work by showing how bleak the current Dundee… oops I mean Dundule is. Because of this, a total societal breakdown pulls the people together and fosters community spirit.
Prose ✍️: Are you ready to read some Scots? Cause the whole novel is written in Scots dialect, which can be quite jarring if you’re not used to it. Disnaeland is my first Scots novel and, after a few chapters, I was able to get used to the language by imagining James McAvoy reading the book to me. Some parts of the novel are a bit cheesy, but this is just that kind of feel-good novel. However, any cheesy feel-good parts are balanced out by the rough Scots dialect, ya wee bam.
Excerpt:
‘…they’re gaunae turn Scotland intae a theme park and they’re gaunae call it Disnaeland. They’re gaunae call it Disnaeland, he says, cause it disnae vote for them, it disnae like them, and it disnae F-ing matter’
A 4.5 star read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️— but I’m biased AF.
July 3, 2022
The majority of the book is written in a Scottish tongue. For example, ‘Ken’ often means ‘know’. At first this is tricky to get through, but once you do it is an extremely entertaining read about community coming together during an apocalypse.
There is unfathomable violence and is often dealt with in a tragic comedic way. There are many funny parts, which I guess is odd when the book is set the end of the world.
I think what makes the book so funny is how normal life infiltrates this apocalyptic world. You can easily imagine these characters, as we have met them before in our everyday life, such as the convenience store owner and the guy who owns the local fish and chip shop. Another example of everyday life blending with apocalyptic life is a drama society is set up and a version of Romeo and Juliet called Westbridge Story is staged in which at the end of the play; a nuclear disaster kills all life on earth.
There is unfathomable violence and is often dealt with in a tragic comedic way. There are many funny parts, which I guess is odd when the book is set the end of the world.
I think what makes the book so funny is how normal life infiltrates this apocalyptic world. You can easily imagine these characters, as we have met them before in our everyday life, such as the convenience store owner and the guy who owns the local fish and chip shop. Another example of everyday life blending with apocalyptic life is a drama society is set up and a version of Romeo and Juliet called Westbridge Story is staged in which at the end of the play; a nuclear disaster kills all life on earth.
July 3, 2022
A really enjoyable read that was entirely believeable. It took a while to get into due to the dialect which was Scottish and it took a while to get used too, but once I did I found myself enjoying the book.
Since the pandemic I have found myself really liking dystopian fiction, I guess because it felt more believable after seeing the world through covids lens.
The plot had a really good flow and pacing, with a fun storyline and plenty of twists and a wide range of characters which shouldn't fit together but do and this is what makes this book as realistic as it is.
Not gonna lie the title also really intrigued me.
Overall an enjoyable read.
Since the pandemic I have found myself really liking dystopian fiction, I guess because it felt more believable after seeing the world through covids lens.
The plot had a really good flow and pacing, with a fun storyline and plenty of twists and a wide range of characters which shouldn't fit together but do and this is what makes this book as realistic as it is.
Not gonna lie the title also really intrigued me.
Overall an enjoyable read.
July 3, 2022
The main thing about this book is that it is written with a Scottish dialect, it's a first for me and took a little while to get into the gist of the conversations. It is an intriguing concept and storyline and I liked the characters. Once getting over the dialect, I was able to read quickly and the characters connected well to each other.
The end of the world sounds a scary concept but maybe knowing about it early, can mean people make a change, some for the better.
My first dialect book and like how I felt transported to Dundule as I was reading!
The end of the world sounds a scary concept but maybe knowing about it early, can mean people make a change, some for the better.
My first dialect book and like how I felt transported to Dundule as I was reading!
July 15, 2022
If you like dystopian novels mixed with humour, visions of the future and all kinds of survival then this is for you. The stories written by the narrator from The Voice make up this great story.
It was laugh out loud funny with great characters who’s backstories were split into different books. I loved this writing style, it felt like lots of short stories but they all came together to create one long book.
One thing that I didnae realise was that it was written in proper Scottish (see what I did there!) which did take a little while to get the hang of, but it made the book even better.
It was laugh out loud funny with great characters who’s backstories were split into different books. I loved this writing style, it felt like lots of short stories but they all came together to create one long book.
One thing that I didnae realise was that it was written in proper Scottish (see what I did there!) which did take a little while to get the hang of, but it made the book even better.
September 26, 2023
This was interesting. First of all, this book is written in Scottisch (or with a Scottisch accent I don't really know), which threw me off a bit at first, but once I got used to it, it was fine. But this meant every time I picked the book back up again, I had to adjust. So I think that's the reason why it took me this long to finish it.
The story itself was okay, although I do not think the real end of the world will be this organized if it were to happen... But maybe that's just me not having a lot of faith in humanity, woops.
The story itself was okay, although I do not think the real end of the world will be this organized if it were to happen... But maybe that's just me not having a lot of faith in humanity, woops.
July 16, 2022
BOOK TOUR REVIEW PENDING
July 27, 2022
A charming narrator leads you through this gripping and important story for our times.
June 6, 2023
Brilliant book. Couldn't put it down. :)
January 30, 2024
Very fun and hilarious book, the writing style (Scots phonetic, conversational) took some getting used to. Best apocalytpic book I can remember.
July 17, 2025
Unique and uplifting
From a time where it seems like nothing could get worse, out of chaos comes a community where everyone plays their part. This book was a joy to read.
From a time where it seems like nothing could get worse, out of chaos comes a community where everyone plays their part. This book was a joy to read.
July 25, 2022
I really enjoyed this book, even though it took me longer to read than a book usually would take me. This is mainly due to the fact that the book is written in Scottish dialect. It meant I had to concentrate a lot more and spent time rereading parts and having to read in smaller chunks. However it’s just perfectly written for the book and it’s setting. Do not allow the fact it’s written in a different dialect to put you off.
The book does cover current affairs in the world and has real life fears of what could happen in the future - for example touching on cashless society (no further spoilers here)
Although the book is a dystopian it really isn’t too far from the truth of the world and what could happen.
I was drawn into this book instantly with the world and character building.
I will be reading more from this author
The book does cover current affairs in the world and has real life fears of what could happen in the future - for example touching on cashless society (no further spoilers here)
Although the book is a dystopian it really isn’t too far from the truth of the world and what could happen.
I was drawn into this book instantly with the world and character building.
I will be reading more from this author
October 27, 2025
Absolutely brilliant. By far Johnston's best novel yet. The end of the world sounds scary, but when written about in this fast-paced, humorously dark way, you happily go along with it, waiting to see how everything pans out. I think if I read this during the pandemic, it would've scared the shit out of me. However, I've instead read it during an extreme heatwave, and I can constantly hear sirens outside.... Is that any better? I'm not sure. But this is an entirely believable book, following likeable, fun, and interesting characters. I urge you to get a copy.
Also, if you like this, try Johnston's other books. You're in for a treat. Peace, Love and Petrol Bombs is fantastic.
Right, I'm writing this on my phone in this extreme heat I previously mentioned, walking back from the park. If you see a sweaty, unwell-looking guy carrying an orange book, then that's me.
Disnaeland: 5/5
Also, if you like this, try Johnston's other books. You're in for a treat. Peace, Love and Petrol Bombs is fantastic.
Right, I'm writing this on my phone in this extreme heat I previously mentioned, walking back from the park. If you see a sweaty, unwell-looking guy carrying an orange book, then that's me.
Disnaeland: 5/5
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