Monday, February 11, 2013

After: Nineteen Stories of Apocalypse and Dystopia

Datlow, Ellen,  and Terri Windling, eds. 2012. AFTER: NINETEEN STORIES OF APOCALYPSE AND DYSTOPIA. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 9781423146193 [Suggested Grade Level 7 - 12]

REVIEW
Fans of apocalyptic or dystopian stories will devour this short story collection by some of the biggest names in YA and adult literature. From Gregory Maguire to Jane Yolen, readers will be able to find a short story that appeals to their voyeuristic sensibilities and have the opportunity to live vicariously through a disaster with this unique set of heroes and heroines.

Garth Nix’s story, You Won’t Feel a Thing, is set in the same world as his novel, SHADE’S CHILDREN. The short story is set ten years before the events in his novel. Fans of Nix’s work will be able to enjoy the parallels to the universe he has already introduced and will enjoy getting to know what led to the events that unfolded in this epic disaster.

For any fan of disaster fiction this book is a must read. By presenting multiple different disasters the reader never feels as if the book is retreading through already overdone scenarios, each story offering up a fresh take on a horrible dystopian future that could strike at any minute. The reader gets to ask themselves, what would happen if…?

CONNECTIONS
Plan for an emergency: If the electricity happened to go off for an extended period of time, make a list of the supplies your home would need.
Hold a Zombie Fluxx tournament with family, friends, or classmates.

RELATED BOOKS
Other books about dealing with the apocalypse:
McHugh, Maureen F. AFTER THE APOCALYPSE: STORIES. ISBN 9781931520294
Mullin, Mike. ASHFALL. ISBN
Pfeffer, Susan Beth. THE WORLD WE LIVE IN. ISBN 9780547248042

By Jane Jergensen


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