Book Review

NOTE: I received this book for free from the author through Goodreads First Reads in return for an unbiased review.


Title: Since Tomorrow
Author: Morgan Nyberg
ISBN-13: 978-1478336273
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction.


“Since Tomorrow” is a post-apocalyptic novel set approximately two generations after Vancouver (and the world) has been transformed by economic collapse, pandemic, climate and earth changes into Town, a grim, squalid, brutal place with desperate people clinging to survival, usually by savaging and bartering. Advanced technology, law, education, bulk clothing and food manufacture, and medicine are things of a by-gone era.

Old Frost remembers the “good times”, before “the end of the world as we knew it”. Living on his farm among collapsed warehouses and foundations of vanished houses, Frost, his grandchildren (Noor and William), and his community try to improve the world around them. However, others in Town are driven by greed and power-lust. The inevitable confrontation thus arises when the local drug lord decides to expand his “wealth” and take over neighbouring farms. Compassionate values must be then sacrificed for survival and people must decide if they are going to defend what is theirs or give up.

Ultimately, this is a story exploring human nature and human resilience. There are people who form communities, the addicts, the do-gooders, the greedy, the foolish, the weak-willed, the strong, the leaders and the followers.

The writing style is sparse, with no unnecessary words, but still manages to convey emotions and illustrate settings. This is a well written book with fleshed out characters that you can love or hate (depending on character).

I cannot say that I “enjoyed” this book. I found the whole situation depressing...but there are happy times amongst the sad. This story was definitely compelling though. I can't stop thinking about it and the characters. This book would make a unique addition to any reader’s shelf.

UPDATE: 4 November 2013.
I lent the book to my boyfriend. After the first 7 pages his comment was "different, very unusual".



( )

The whole time reading this I was sitting on the "Do I like this or don't I " fence. I realize a good post apocalypse story makes you sit that fence. I mean, are we supposed to ENJOY a post Apocalypse world? Or should we view them as cautionary tale, Reader BE AWARE the potential ?

So, I am still here on my fence. I needed to see this story through to the end. I felt for the characters and the world they lived in. The world they created.I could see it, hear it, smell it. It was cold. I was satisfied as a reader of the story, and the end. Fitting.

I guess my one issue is how the story was written.And for the life of me I can't say more than that. I found it hard at times to simply read. But I do recommend it.

I needed to add one more thought.I realize in this world things are hard to come by. Like clothes it seems. I understand being covered in bits of plastic. But seriously, where are peoples pants? Do we forget how to make pants in the apocalypse? If we can fashion a poncho surely we can fashion some kind of pants. ( )