Books matching: environmental disaster
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- #1
Save:A wild, moody ride through the Louisiana swamps - packed with quirky losers, dark humor, and a fantastic sense of place. Not perfect, but totally worth a visit if you like your fiction offbeat and atmospheric.
The Marauders by Tom Cooper is a story set in Louisiana post-Katrina and the BP oil spill, portraying the struggles of the shrimpers and fishermen in the backwater swamps and bayous. The novel introduces a diverse cast of characters, including a one-armed pill addict searching for Lafitte's treasure, a young shrimper dealing with family conflicts, small-time crooks, and dangerous individuals like the Toup brothers. The narrative weaves together the lives of these characters, showcasing the impact of environmental disasters and personal tragedies on their livelihoods and relationships. The writing style is praised for its vivid descriptions, sense of place, and interconnected storylines that create a compelling and immersive reading experience.
They came like specters from the dark maw of the bayou, first ghostly light in the fog, then the rasp of a motor: an aluminum powerboat scudding across lacquer-black water. From a distance the figures...February 2015•320 pages - #2
Save:'New Earth' in the series 'The Grand Tour' by Ben Bova explores a future where Earth is facing environmental disaster due to massive greenhouse flooding, leading to a group of explorers setting out for a planet called New Earth. The plot involves the explorers encountering unexpected intelligent life on New Earth, which looks exactly like humans but is far advanced technologically. As the story unfolds, the explorers must navigate complex relationships with the inhabitants of New Earth and work together to warn both Earth and the intelligent beings of an impending gamma ray explosion that threatens all intelligent life.
What had once been a thriving city was now a drowned disaster, buildings inundated, highways submerged, even the magnificent Gateway Arch’s foundations awash in several meters of muddy water. Long lin... - #3
Save:Still chilling, occasionally prescient, and packed with big ideas - Nature's End stands out as a thoughtful, darkly imaginative look at a future that may feel closer than ever. Well worth a spot on the shelf for dystopian and speculative fiction lovers.
"Nature's End" by Whitley Strieber is a gripping tale set in a near-future United States where a family of journalists goes on the run to stop a global movement led by a mysterious Indian guru aiming to reduce the global population. The novel is described as both relevant and prophetic, challenging the imagination with its detailed concepts and complex storyline. The authors weave real excerpts from newspapers with their own articles, painting a dark image of a world plagued by environmental disasters and societal collapse, all while keeping the reader engaged and eager to uncover more.
1986•426 pages - #4
Save:A bold, beautifully written eco-novel brimming with ideas and emotion - if you’re open to wild turns and don’t mind an ending that divides opinion, it’s a memorable ride.
Eleutheria by Allegra Hyde follows Willa Marks, a young woman looking for hope in a collapsing world. Set in a near-future where climate disasters are rampant, Willa moves to an eco-commune on a Bahamian island called Eleutheria. Here, she meets various characters and tries to navigate love and idealism against a backdrop of environmental decline. The plot intertwines past and present, exploring Willa's journey from a childhood of isolation to her engagement with a utopian society that ultimately reveals unsettling truths.
Hyde’s writing is both beautiful and innovative, filled with vivid descriptions that bring to life Willa's experiences. Her style blends philosophical musings with character-driven narratives and a dramatic tone, culminating in a tense, thought-provoking read. While the novel is riveting and imaginative, some readers found the ending somewhat predictable and felt the solutions offered were far-fetched. Nonetheless, it’s a compelling story that challenges readers to reflect on climate issues and human connections.
My name, my full name, is Willa Marks. There’s nothing in the middle. My parents must have had their reasons for the omission, though I’ve always considered it a sign of honesty. A middle name can lur...March 2022•332 pages Paradise Falls: The True Story of an Environmental Catastrophe by Keith O'Brien tells the harrowing story of the Love Canal disaster in the 1970s. It focuses on how toxic waste, buried by Hooker Chemical, affected the health of an entire community. The book puts a human face on this tragedy, showcasing the struggles of residents like Lois Gibbs and Dr. Beverly Paigen against corporate negligence and government indifference. The narrative details the suffering of families due to illnesses caused by exposure to harmful chemicals and highlights the fight to bring attention to their plight.
O'Brien's writing style is compelling and very readable, making complex scientific issues accessible to a broad audience. He combines thorough research with personal stories, creating a vivid picture of the events that unfolded. The book also serves as a cautionary tale about environmental disasters and the power of grassroots activism. Readers find it hard to put down, as it not only informs but also evokes strong emotions. It is recommended for anyone interested in environmental issues and the impact of corporate actions on communities.
Lois Gibbs was a sucker for Christmas decorations. Ceramic angels, miniature Santas, music boxes wired to play holiday tunes, and festive homemade crafts of every possible variety—Gibbs had it all, an...April 2022- #6
Save:Sahara is a classic pulp adventure: big, brash, and unapologetically over the top. Don’t take it too seriously - just sit back and enjoy the escapist chaos.
'Sahara' in the 'Dirk Pitt' series by Clive Cussler is an action-packed adventure mystery set in the Sahara desert. The story follows Dirk Pitt and his team as they race against time to prevent an environmental catastrophe caused by pollution threatening the world's seas. Along the way, they encounter villains, navigate through treacherous situations, and uncover historical mysteries related to the Civil War and a long-lost female pilot. The writing style is described as fast-paced, filled with action, and reminiscent of a Hollywood action movie, with larger-than-life characters and thrilling plot twists.
After traveling through the desert for days or weeks, seeing no animals, meeting no humans, civilization, no matter how tiny or primitive, comes as a stunning surprise. To the eleven people in the fiv... - #7
Save:Smart, moving, and thought-provoking - The Back of the Turtle is a heartfelt look at damage and healing, both personal and environmental. It's a rewarding read for those who appreciate depth, subtle humor, and stories that champion hope even in dark times.
'The Back of the Turtle' by Thomas King is a novel that delves into the aftermath of an environmental disaster known as The Ruin. The story follows a diverse set of characters including a suicidal man who ends up saving a boatload of people, a young boy searching for salvage, an old sea dog and storyteller, an artist confronting the loss of her family, and a lonely CEO. Through their individual stories, the book gradually reveals the cause of The Ruin and how each character is connected to or affected by it. King's writing style is observant and expressive, capturing his characters' emotions through great dialogues and a mocking portrayal of the corporate world.
THE MAN STOOD AT THE BOUNDARY OF THE BEACH, IN THE shadows of the hanging cedars, and listened to the heavy surf run in from deeper water. The beach pitched up sharply here, the high sand soft and dry...September 2014•528 pages - #8
Save:A cult classic: surreal, satirical, and oddly prescient, but not for those seeking gritty realism or strong character arcs. Fans of quirky, literary sci-fi - this one’s for you!
'Hello America' by J.G. Ballard is a science fiction novel set in a post-apocalyptic America where the country has been devastated by pollution and environmental disasters. The story follows a group of European explorers who crash into New York's harbor and venture out to explore the continent, encountering absurd tribal populations and remnants of American culture. The book delves into themes of American values, civilization, and the impact of environmental choices, all presented in a satirical and dystopian manner.
The writing style of 'Hello America' is described as concise, enjoyable, and capturing the ambivalence towards American values. J.G. Ballard's narrative mocks stereotypes of America while exploring the country's past glory, present desolation, and potential future. The book is noted for its quick pace, engaging storytelling, and the eerie relevance of its themes despite being written in the early 1980s.
Later, when they beached the SS Apollo against the derelict Cunard pier at the lower tip of Manhattan, Wayne was to remember with some amusement how excited McNair had been as he burst into the sail l...1981•237 pages - #9
Save:A Friend of the Earth is a beautifully written but deeply pessimistic eco-dystopia. Worth a read for fans of Boyle’s dark wit and sharp insights - just don’t expect to come away feeling uplifted.
'A Friend of the Earth' by T.C. Boyle is a dark and engaging novel set in a near future where global warming has devastated the planet. The story follows Ty Tierwater, an eco terrorist turned animal caretaker, as he navigates a world filled with environmental disaster and personal loss. The narrative alternates between the past and the future, painting a bleak picture of a world on the brink of collapse while exploring themes of family, loss, and activism. Boyle's writing style is described as poetic and rich, drawing readers into a world where characters grapple with the consequences of their choices.
This is the way it begins, on a summer night so crammed with stars the Milky Way looks like a white plastic sack strung out across the roof of the sky. No moon, though-that wouldn't do at all. And no...2000•314 pages - #10
Save:A beautifully written, haunting vision of survival and memory after ecological collapse. Come for the setting, stay for the introspection - just be ready to embrace a bit of imaginative leeway!
All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall is a post-apocalyptic novel set in a flooded New York City, specifically at the American Museum of Natural History, known to its survivors as AMEN. The story follows Nonie, a resourceful young woman who was born after the collapse of civilization due to rising water levels and catastrophic storms. As she catalogs the museum's history and learns to sense water to ensure her group's survival, she grapples with her past and present. The narrative switches between her current perilous journey and flashbacks to life at AMEN, exploring themes of human nature, cooperation, and resilience.
I can feel water and I can feel heavy weather on the way. Mother said, “You’re like a dowser, Nonie, like those people who can feel water under the ground and help farmers find it, only you do it with...January 2025•304 pages
