You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by richardrbecker
Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
5.0
Alas, Babylon is one of the first apocalyptic novels of the nuclear age and there are plenty of reasons it remains popular. Pat Frank is set in a fictional 1959, with events that do not seem so fictional — two years of escalating tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union for dominance in the Middle East and in the Mediterranean Sea. He capitalizes on the temporary space supremacy the USSR obtained with the launch of Sputnik, but ups the ante to include a massive fleet of militarized Sputniks — casting a sinister foreshadow to what most people saw a triumph for the United States.
The story centers on Randy Bragg, who lives a simple retired military life in the small Central Florida town of Fort Repose. His brother, who is an active Air Force colonel, gives Randy a heads up on an impending conflict (and asks him to take in his family). This conversation sets the stage for the first act, before "The Day" as Frank places Randy Bragg in the terrible situation of knowing an ominous, horrible, and almost unbelievable secret — the end of the world may be upon us.
Frank doesn't let readers down on acts two and three either. "The Day" and after "The Day" provide an isolated and atmospheric story with intimate characters who want to survive. While some people criticize the book for having an optimistic view of nuclear war, it still stands the test of time. Such an exchange may have occurred like this in 1959 or, perhaps, even a more modern but limited exchange whereby Central Florida manages to survive. In doing so, the slow burn survival story is creepy enough that you might rethink disaster preparedness.
The tone and texture of the book is very similar to the post-apocalyptic novel One Second After by William R. Forstchen. Forstchen does credit the novel as an influence in his work. Other authors have likewise been inspired by this fast paced page turner. Some Hunger Games fans have even speculated that the Hunger Games world is built on the future of this one penned by Frank. As one of the novels that started it all — society's predilection for apocalyptic stories — Alas, Babylon sets a high bar as a near flawless book while showcasing an extremely talented writer.
The story centers on Randy Bragg, who lives a simple retired military life in the small Central Florida town of Fort Repose. His brother, who is an active Air Force colonel, gives Randy a heads up on an impending conflict (and asks him to take in his family). This conversation sets the stage for the first act, before "The Day" as Frank places Randy Bragg in the terrible situation of knowing an ominous, horrible, and almost unbelievable secret — the end of the world may be upon us.
Frank doesn't let readers down on acts two and three either. "The Day" and after "The Day" provide an isolated and atmospheric story with intimate characters who want to survive. While some people criticize the book for having an optimistic view of nuclear war, it still stands the test of time. Such an exchange may have occurred like this in 1959 or, perhaps, even a more modern but limited exchange whereby Central Florida manages to survive. In doing so, the slow burn survival story is creepy enough that you might rethink disaster preparedness.
The tone and texture of the book is very similar to the post-apocalyptic novel One Second After by William R. Forstchen. Forstchen does credit the novel as an influence in his work. Other authors have likewise been inspired by this fast paced page turner. Some Hunger Games fans have even speculated that the Hunger Games world is built on the future of this one penned by Frank. As one of the novels that started it all — society's predilection for apocalyptic stories — Alas, Babylon sets a high bar as a near flawless book while showcasing an extremely talented writer.