Written in 1955, this is the post-apoco novel that started it all. I picked it up because I'm interested in the history of genres and post-apocalyptic is one of my favorites. Unlike other science fiction novels, TLT does not show its age. Focusing on the lives of two young boyhood friends, the story follows them from their "idyllic" hometown to a legendary place called Barterstown where technology and free-thinking are still allowed.
As I said, the story is still fresh today because she doesn't focus on the traditional tropes - radiation, mutants, etc. - but on the effect of a world event on the relationships and beliefs of everyday people. There is little here that is new but that isn't the point. This was one of the first books of its kind and its influence is obvious if you look at the bookshelves of sci-fi today.