Source
r/printSF•
raydenbrough

Looking for books about dying earth and survivors ?

Looking for books about dying earth and survivors ? Like we follow our a few survivors characters after the tragedy to discover the new world?

Posted Sep 27, 2022, 4:42 PM UTC

1843
LoneWolfette•

A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter Miller

16
thantros•

I just read this and was blown away. Any other recommendations along this genre?

3
LoneWolfette•

Are you interested in post apocalyptic or books that just have a similar vibe?

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thantros•

I'd take either.

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LoneWolfette•

Well there’s nothing exactly like A Canticle of Leibowitz but here’s a few suggestions.

Post apocalyptic:

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

World War Z by Max Brooks

Swan Song by Robert McCammon

The Stand by Stephen King

Alas Babylon by Pat Frank

For books with a similar vibe, the best I can do is:

The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe

Hyperion by Dan Simmons

5
TheScarfScarfington•

I think Fifth Season by N K Jemisin has some similar themes, thinking about how knowledge is preserved (and used) across generations and during disasters. Pacing and setting are pretty different, but I really liked both books!

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TheScarfScarfington•

I think the term “dying earth” is often used to describe a very specific type of setting, and not quite what you’re looking for, so just wanted to clarify. Often that’s a far, far future where folks are in the sunset of millennia of civilization. Often it’s dystopian, often has a blend of sci fi and fantasy, or forgotten-science-as-magic type vibe too.

A few examples are Dying Earth by Jack Vance, Viriconium by M John Harrison, Broken Earth by N K Jemisen, and Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe.

I think that’s not what you’re asking about, correct? You’re thinking more of books where the planet is dying for one reason or another and a group of survivors are trying to make it, either to another planet or maybe a promise land somewhere on the planet, that kind of thing. Almost more like a sci-fi heavy post apocalypse feel? Escaping the disaster on a starship (or through a portal or whatever) and trying to survive out there?

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raydenbroughOP•

I think that’s not what you’re asking about, correct? You’re thinking more of books where the planet is dying for one reason or another and a group of survivors are trying to make it, either to another planet or maybe

Yes, Sorry. This is what exactly what I mean, not another planet, but another shelter, I didnt word my resquest correctly, English is not my native language

4
LoneWolfette•

Okay, that helps.

The Death of Grass by John Christopher

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

The Stand by Stephen King

Dies the Fire by SM Stirling

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raydenbroughOP•

Thank you for all the suggestions, I appreciate your help

3
TheScarfScarfington•

I absolutely loved Station Eleven, which is folks surviving in a post apocalypse Midwest US. It’s really thoughtful, a little slow but in a way I enjoyed, more about the characters than about action. Probably falls more in “speculative fiction” than sci fi. I found it really compelling.

Another all time favorite is Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. It’s definitely super heavy, and again isn’t super focused on science/tech, but more taking place during the collapse of society and a group trying to escape and survive and find hope. The sequel, Parable of the Talents, is great too and gets into the community of survivors more. They’re really good but really intense.

Lastly, N K Jemisin’s book Fifth Season is more the “dying earth” genre I mentioned in my other comment, but it still taps into that survivor’s journey feel I think you’re looking for. It’s much, much more sci fi feeling than the other ones I recommended, lots of interesting world building and some characters have special powers and that kind of thing. But really interesting ideas about knowledge and society and community too in the context of long term survival in a world that goes apocalyptic every few centuries.

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Lots_of_Trouble•

How about Seveneves?

11
cherrybounce•

If you are ok with an older book, Earth Abides is considered classic sci fi.

11
pecuchet•

I was amazed that this was from the late 40s. It's a wonderful novel and streets ahead of most apocalyptic novels in terms of its ideas.

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cherrybounce•

Yes! I agree.

2
BooksInBrooks•

Especially in its ideas about race relations.

2
nutmegtell•

Best sci-fi book I’ve ever read. Only book assigned in high school I’ve read again. Highly recommend

3
raevnos•

Forge of God and Anvil of Stars by Greg Bear

7
Henxmeister•

Beet me to it. I just read these. If you've enjoyed anything else by Greg Bear, and he's got some bangers, you'll like these.

3
[deleted]•

Children of Time fits that exactly.

5
dano8801•

Though it's quite different than what you specifically requested, I can't help but think of the Broken Earth series.

4
bigfigwiglet•

I thought this described exactly what OP is looking for. The Fifth Season, the first book in the N K Jemisin trilogy was my favorite. This was followed by Obelisk Gate and then The Stone Sky. In this trilogy the reader is present for both the apocalypse and the post-apocalypse.

2
dano8801•

Oh I guess you're right. When I read the post quickly I thought he was looking for more traditional space based sci-fi where survivors escaped the planet and looked for a new world elsewhere. But now I see that the Broken Earth series may be almost exactly what they're looking for.

I have only read the first book, but enjoyed it very much.

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deadletter•

Just started the broken earth books by Jemisin, and they are exactly what you’re looking for. First one is called The Fifth Season

3
newtonianlaw•

Maybe check out Hugh Howey.

Silo series Shift series Dust series

For older school, maybe Ill Wind by Kevin Anderson

3
420InTheCity•

I recently read Cage of Souls by Adrian Tchaikovsky and it was great and fits this pretty well!

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raydenbroughOP•

Thank you, What made you like this book?

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420InTheCity•

Personally, any sci fi book that introduces unique concepts and makes me think about it even weeks later is worth reading. Well written and humorous for sure, as well.

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french-snail•

{{The Annual Migration of Clouds}}

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raydenbroughOP•

Could you share what you liked about this book?

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french-snail•

It's set in a post-collapse near future. It realistically thinks about how people would cope as resources gradually become scarce and all our current infrastructure becomes unusable. They are left to relearn how to live interdependently, learning survival skills from first principles and creating new social structures and norms.

1
DocWatson42•

Apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic

See the threads (Part 1 (of 2)):

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DocWatson42•

Part 2 (of 2):

Related:

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[deleted]•

[removed]

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MegachiropsOnReddit•

The Long Winter Series by A.G. Riddle

Winter World

In the near future, a new ice age has begun.

Humanity stands on the brink of extinction.

Desperate for answers, scientists send probes into the solar system to take readings. Near Mars, a probe spots a mysterious object drifting toward the Sun. Is it the cause of the ice age? Or could it be our only hope of survival?

With time running out, NASA launches an international mission to make contact with the object. But it isn’t what anyone thought. In the dark of space, alone, the team makes a shocking discovery that will change the course of human history—and possibly end it.

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

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panguardian•

The Night Land. Hodgson.

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k4i5h0un45hi•

When worlds collide

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8livesdown•

If you're looking for death, consider "The Road", by Cormac McCarthy.

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FormerWordsmith•

Seveneves by Neal Stephenson. Death of the Earth and survivors, and as a bonus, death of the Moon

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33manat33•

The Earthblood series. You didn't specify the books had to be good...

Though in all seriousness, if you like a pulp literature take on the apocalypse you don't need to think to enjoy, this is it.

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