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The Finite
“The Finite started as a dream; an image, really, on the edge of waking. My daughter and I, joining a stream of people walking past our house. We were marching together, and I saw that many of those behind us were sick, and struggling, and then I looked to the horizon and saw the mushroom cloud. I remember a wave of perfect horror and despair washing over me; the sure and certain knowledge that our march was doomed, as were we.The image didn’t make it into the story, but the feeling did. King instructs us to write about what scares us. In The Finite, I wrote about the worst thing I can imagine; my own childhood nightmare, resurrected and visited on my kid.”
96 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 11, 2020
3.5 (rounded up for Goodreads)
This is an apocalyptic story that doesn’t focus on the large scale devastation at all, but rather hones in on one family: Daddy Rob and daughter, Charley. Daddy Luke, Rob’s husband, was on a business trip when the bomb was detonated. Most likely “Ground Zero”.
Not a handmade bomb.
A mushroom cloud. Deadly.
Our story follows Rob and Charley as they try to survive in the aftermath; surviving but not really knowing how much time they have left since they are experiencing physical symptoms. Animals and smaller living things around them are dying.
The author employs a narrative for real-time situations and uses Rob’s journal entries to engage the reader emotionally; investing in his character.
Towards the last third of this novella, the author employs the third method of storytelling and I’m not quite sure I enjoyed it until the very last scene.
There are pages of dialog--almost screenplay style and it pulled me back from the intimacy. Instead of feeling like I was observing the dialog between Rob and his daughter, I was reminded that I was just reading it. I didn’t get sucked back in until little Charley leaves the room and it’s just Rob speaking--then I felt drawn in again and immediately my heart responded.
As an introduction to Kit Power’s writing, I was impressed. The small details add so much life to the page. Even though there are only two main characters, I felt like Daddy Luke was as much a part of the story as Charley and Rob since he’s remembered and adored so often.
This story has the ability to resonate with so many of us. It touches on all our common fears and emotions. It’s vulnerable, authentic and universal. Any reader could find themselves in this situation. Gripping and emotional. I enjoyed it and I’ll be adding some more Kit Power to my list.
This is an apocalyptic story that doesn’t focus on the large scale devastation at all, but rather hones in on one family: Daddy Rob and daughter, Charley. Daddy Luke, Rob’s husband, was on a business trip when the bomb was detonated. Most likely “Ground Zero”.
Not a handmade bomb.
A mushroom cloud. Deadly.
Our story follows Rob and Charley as they try to survive in the aftermath; surviving but not really knowing how much time they have left since they are experiencing physical symptoms. Animals and smaller living things around them are dying.
The author employs a narrative for real-time situations and uses Rob’s journal entries to engage the reader emotionally; investing in his character.
Towards the last third of this novella, the author employs the third method of storytelling and I’m not quite sure I enjoyed it until the very last scene.
There are pages of dialog--almost screenplay style and it pulled me back from the intimacy. Instead of feeling like I was observing the dialog between Rob and his daughter, I was reminded that I was just reading it. I didn’t get sucked back in until little Charley leaves the room and it’s just Rob speaking--then I felt drawn in again and immediately my heart responded.
As an introduction to Kit Power’s writing, I was impressed. The small details add so much life to the page. Even though there are only two main characters, I felt like Daddy Luke was as much a part of the story as Charley and Rob since he’s remembered and adored so often.
This story has the ability to resonate with so many of us. It touches on all our common fears and emotions. It’s vulnerable, authentic and universal. Any reader could find themselves in this situation. Gripping and emotional. I enjoyed it and I’ll be adding some more Kit Power to my list.
September 23, 2019
Shatteringly effective. Full review soon on scifiandscary.com
July 16, 2020
Oof. That’s my one word review of this book.
I remember reading about the idea behind it - a nuclear bomb has gone off. You are within the fallout zone. Your death is inevitable.
Your death, and the death of your five year old daughter sleeping peacefully in the next room.
The idea alone made me sweat. As a fairly seasoned horror reader, you become desensitised to a lot, but we all have boundaries. Personal horrors which a skilled author can play like Satan’s own harpsichord.
Well, Kit Power found mine.
I bought a physical copy a while back, but have delayed reading it for a while now. True, unsettling, emotionally charged terror needs a bit of a run up due to its rarity.
This book did not disappoint.
It’s short - you can polish it off in an afternoon, but I could only manage 5 to 10 minute chunks. Bit of a break and a walk around. Breathe. It’s just a book.
This isn’t a traditional “horror” book, as such. If you come to it expecting that, you may be disappointed. It is a keenly written exploration of the existential dread of parenthood. Of childhood innocence. The ways in which we strive to keep our children safe, and yet when the curtain is lifted, how futile these efforts can be, and how much of their safety is not within our control.
A brilliant, heart-wrenching piece of work. Well done Kit Power. But also screw you Kit Power. You hit me in my feels, and it still hurts.
Oof.
I remember reading about the idea behind it - a nuclear bomb has gone off. You are within the fallout zone. Your death is inevitable.
Your death, and the death of your five year old daughter sleeping peacefully in the next room.
The idea alone made me sweat. As a fairly seasoned horror reader, you become desensitised to a lot, but we all have boundaries. Personal horrors which a skilled author can play like Satan’s own harpsichord.
Well, Kit Power found mine.
I bought a physical copy a while back, but have delayed reading it for a while now. True, unsettling, emotionally charged terror needs a bit of a run up due to its rarity.
This book did not disappoint.
It’s short - you can polish it off in an afternoon, but I could only manage 5 to 10 minute chunks. Bit of a break and a walk around. Breathe. It’s just a book.
This isn’t a traditional “horror” book, as such. If you come to it expecting that, you may be disappointed. It is a keenly written exploration of the existential dread of parenthood. Of childhood innocence. The ways in which we strive to keep our children safe, and yet when the curtain is lifted, how futile these efforts can be, and how much of their safety is not within our control.
A brilliant, heart-wrenching piece of work. Well done Kit Power. But also screw you Kit Power. You hit me in my feels, and it still hurts.
Oof.
May 15, 2020
A powerful, evocative novella depicting the realities of protecting those closest to you in hopeless times. Despite its sedate pace, Power's narrative rattles along with heartfelt prose. The climax, whilst shocking, was the perfect ending for this book, and does the writer credit not to have shied away from such inevitability.
A beautiful, harrowing tale of parenthood in adversity. Highly recommended.
A beautiful, harrowing tale of parenthood in adversity. Highly recommended.
August 2, 2019
An absolutely shattering piece of fiction which recalls the very best of the antenuclear fictions of the Cold War - comparisons to When The Wind Blows are absolutely apt as the author seeks, with great success, to recreate that same terrible vulnerability and despair. Perhaps 'recreate' is not the right word, though, because Power - while wearing his influences on his sleeve - brings the subject matter right up to date, infusing it with 21st century concerns, attitudes and knowledge. We know more now than we ever did, and there is sparse comfort in this when everything familiar to us breaks down. The Finite is bleak, but there is such beauty in its bleakness; as in McCarthy's The Road, the authentic warmth and love of the father/daughter relationship is an anchor to which the reader might desperately cling. Not a light read, nor an easy read, but an eminently worthy one, with one eye on the real-world political landscape; intelligent, compassionate and beautifully written. We will look back on this book as something incredibly important.
April 23, 2023
Holy f*ck, that was absolutely brutal and devastating. Highly recommended if you enjoy apocalyptic horror.
May 31, 2020
I enjoyed this book it reminded me of ‘On The Beach’ by Nevil Shute.
The story is very insular, following a father and daughter in the wake of a nuclear bomb going off in London. We journey with our characters as they face the aftermath of such an event. It’s told in a journal / voice recording, which was a nice touch.
For me there appeared to be something missing, but I guess it’s the format of the novella, I felt if it had more time it would have been able to delve into these missing facets - but also the novella length and the way Power wrote it works tremendously well, it’s short enough that the chosen format doesn’t become irksome and boring.
The ending is powerful and I didn’t see it coming, the novella also explores in great detail the love of a father!
The story is very insular, following a father and daughter in the wake of a nuclear bomb going off in London. We journey with our characters as they face the aftermath of such an event. It’s told in a journal / voice recording, which was a nice touch.
For me there appeared to be something missing, but I guess it’s the format of the novella, I felt if it had more time it would have been able to delve into these missing facets - but also the novella length and the way Power wrote it works tremendously well, it’s short enough that the chosen format doesn’t become irksome and boring.
The ending is powerful and I didn’t see it coming, the novella also explores in great detail the love of a father!
December 24, 2020
Holy sh** this is good. As always, Kit's writing is flawless, as is his narrative style and voice. And characters. And story. And way of telling it. Everything about this book is great, is what I'm saying. My favourite of his stories, and I love them alllllll.
Do yourself a favour and pick this up.
Do yourself a favour and pick this up.
November 3, 2022
What a read this is. I read this novella as I myself was trapped waiting for my wife to recover from something truly dreadful, which I'm sure ratcheted up the emotional impact. Regardless, though, this breathless, raw, emotive tale of the end is certain to move even the hardiest reader.
The way in which the book is delivered, as remnants left by this survivor as he cares for his daughter, only heightens the sense of urgency the book's subject matter already possesses. As a reader you feel his despair, his rage at the unfairness of it all.
A superb book and, in the times in which we currently live, one which we must hope is not put to the test.
The way in which the book is delivered, as remnants left by this survivor as he cares for his daughter, only heightens the sense of urgency the book's subject matter already possesses. As a reader you feel his despair, his rage at the unfairness of it all.
A superb book and, in the times in which we currently live, one which we must hope is not put to the test.
October 25, 2023
Another excellent story from Kit Power, this time about the apocalypse (is there a better horror subgenre? I doubt it!).
It's a tense, stressful, and emotional story, and it's well crafted and told. A superb piece of horror.
It's a tense, stressful, and emotional story, and it's well crafted and told. A superb piece of horror.
March 25, 2022
If you want a book to disturb you - especially if you're a parent - you need to read this.
Kit Power hits the nail right on the head with his depiction of anxiety, especially when it comes to parenting. The way it can change you, make you question how you parent, hate yourself for it. Spot on.
And as for parenting at the end of the world - well his words are pure heart-stopping terror.
Kit Power hits the nail right on the head with his depiction of anxiety, especially when it comes to parenting. The way it can change you, make you question how you parent, hate yourself for it. Spot on.
And as for parenting at the end of the world - well his words are pure heart-stopping terror.
December 24, 2019
My second read from Power and he's rapidly proving to be a powerful voice in modern horror. The Finite is bleak as hell BUT with a human heart at its post-apocalyptic centre. Loved it.
March 16, 2023
অ্যাপোকেলিপ্টিক/পোস্ট-অ্যাপোকেলিপ্টিক সবসময়ই আমার প্রিয় জনরাগুলোর একটা। আমাদের জানাশোনা পৃথিবীটা শেষ হয়ে গেছে। নিত্যনৈমিত্তিকতা হারিয়ে গেছে। এক ধাক্কায় পৃথিবী চলে গেছে আদিম যুগে। এই সময় বেঁচে থাকার লড়াইয়ের গল্পগুলো ভীষণভাবে উপভোগ করি আমি।
কিট পাওয়ারের "দ্য ফিনিট" এই জনরায় ফিট হলেও একটা ইউনিক প্রেমিস তৈরি করেছেন লেখক এই বইটায়। সাধারণ পোস্ট অ্যাপোকেলিপ্টিক ক্লিশে প্লটের বাইরে গিয়ে একটা নতুন কনসেপ্ট হাজির করেছেন তিনি এই ছোট নভেলায়।
নিউক্লিয়ার বিস্ফোরণের পর রেডিয়েশনের রাডারে পড়ে গেছে এক পিতা এবং তার ৬ বছর বয়সী মেয়ে। পিতা ভালো করেই জানে যে হারে তারা রেডিয়েশনে এক্সপোজ হয়েছে তাতে বাঁচার কোন আশা নেই। তবে নিজেট ছোট মেয়ের সামনে ভেঙে পড়লে তো চলবে না। ওই মেয়েটাকে আকড়ে ধরেই থাকতে হবে যতক্ষণ না মৃত্যু চলে আসে। এই ছোট সময়টুকু ঘিরেই দ্য ফিনিট-এর পুরো প্লট সাজানো।
"দ্য ফিনিট" মানে সসীম। সময় খুবই স্বল্প। এটুকু সময়ের মাঝেই বেঁচে থাকতে হবে যতটুকু পারা যায়। পিতাকন্যার সম্পর্কটুকু উপভোগ্য ছিল। পুরো ঘটনা টুকু আমি জানতে পারি পিতা ড্যাডি রবের জার্নাল থেকে।
বর্তমান কালে লেখার ফলে পাঠক হিসেবে চরিত্রগুলোর সাথে একদম রিলেট করা গেছে। আর এন্ডিংটুকু! আহা! বিষন্নতা মাখা এক করুণ গল্প দ্য ফিনিট।
লেখকের লেখনশৈলি যে ভালো লেগেছে তা বলবো না। তবে ছোট বই। এক বসায় শেষ করা যায় তাই কোন সমস্যা হয়নি।
কিট পাওয়ারের "দ্য ফিনিট" এই জনরায় ফিট হলেও একটা ইউনিক প্রেমিস তৈরি করেছেন লেখক এই বইটায়। সাধারণ পোস্ট অ্যাপোকেলিপ্টিক ক্লিশে প্লটের বাইরে গিয়ে একটা নতুন কনসেপ্ট হাজির করেছেন তিনি এই ছোট নভেলায়।
নিউক্লিয়ার বিস্ফোরণের পর রেডিয়েশনের রাডারে পড়ে গেছে এক পিতা এবং তার ৬ বছর বয়সী মেয়ে। পিতা ভালো করেই জানে যে হারে তারা রেডিয়েশনে এক্সপোজ হয়েছে তাতে বাঁচার কোন আশা নেই। তবে নিজেট ছোট মেয়ের সামনে ভেঙে পড়লে তো চলবে না। ওই মেয়েটাকে আকড়ে ধরেই থাকতে হবে যতক্ষণ না মৃত্যু চলে আসে। এই ছোট সময়টুকু ঘিরেই দ্য ফিনিট-এর পুরো প্লট সাজানো।
"দ্য ফিনিট" মানে সসীম। সময় খুবই স্বল্প। এটুকু সময়ের মাঝেই বেঁচে থাকতে হবে যতটুকু পারা যায়। পিতাকন্যার সম্পর্কটুকু উপভোগ্য ছিল। পুরো ঘটনা টুকু আমি জানতে পারি পিতা ড্যাডি রবের জার্নাল থেকে।
বর্তমান কালে লেখার ফলে পাঠক হিসেবে চরিত্রগুলোর সাথে একদম রিলেট করা গেছে। আর এন্ডিংটুকু! আহা! বিষন্নতা মাখা এক করুণ গল্প দ্য ফিনিট।
লেখকের লেখনশৈলি যে ভালো লেগেছে তা বলবো না। তবে ছোট বই। এক বসায় শেষ করা যায় তাই কোন সমস্যা হয়নি।
May 27, 2024
Wow. This just hit me like a sledgehammer. I'm not going to forget this book any time soon.
April 21, 2025
A bleak yet compellingly told comparison of the gay rights movement with the cold war. There is more going on here than a first read will reveal, but I'm not sure I'll return to this. When I say bleak, I mean bleak.
January 14, 2022
A haunting tale of a parent and child in the aftermath of a nuclear disaster. Moments of joy and love combined with an increasing sense of doom approaching well worth a look.
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
January 6, 2023
It’s a short book; I was able to read the entire thing in a day. The author really nailed the pacing and a kind of conversational tone, making for an easy read. Unfortunately, there wasn’t anything unique enough about the story or the writing for me to give anything more than 3 stars. I don’t regret reading it though.
October 4, 2025
It's been a *long* time since I've read a book from cover to cover in a single sitting. Every once in a blue moon, there comes a book that makes doing so a necessity.
Which brings me to The Finite.
No spoilers, the clue is in the title. There's no square-jawed superhero muscling in to save the day, no magic bullet, no 'it was all a dream' style revelation. The minimal characters are normal, they're human, as human as you and I.
As gripping as it is heartbreakingly inevitable. Read it. Just read it.
Which brings me to The Finite.
No spoilers, the clue is in the title. There's no square-jawed superhero muscling in to save the day, no magic bullet, no 'it was all a dream' style revelation. The minimal characters are normal, they're human, as human as you and I.
As gripping as it is heartbreakingly inevitable. Read it. Just read it.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews