The Gone Away World
Unfortunately, I had the pink cover...
I’ve been reading a lot of post apocolyptic books as of late for no discernable reason. The titles have simpy been the ones I’ve been interested in or found their way into my hands. Recently, I’ve read The Road by Cormac Mccarthy, The Possibilities of an Island by Michel Houellebecq, some other titles that allude me at the moment and now, I’ve just completed The Gone Away World by Nick Harkaway.
Before I use the wrong words to describe the book, I should just start by reminding myself that this was a very good book… 512 pages of hardcover goodness.
If I had to compare it to some of my past favorites, I would have to say it’s a cross between Oryx and Crake (with its two men’s destinies locked in a seemingly endless struggle while the world ends around them) and Snow Crash (with his fantastically brash “I could give a shit about good writing” tone of voice and references to martial arts). That said, those are two books I really love, so if you smash them together, throw in some interesting twists and make the whole thing feel a little closer to a good blockbuster movie (not too much, mind you) you’ve got the fantastic read that is The Gone Away World.
Of course, many of the lady readers may not latch on to all the male centric issues it raises around relationships, but perhaps they’ll be able to see past that and simply relish the deeply satisfying story itself.
This being Nick’s first novel, I need to remember to check out his next. Especially since I loved the end of his acknowledgements where he wrote: “on to the next one.”
Posted in Books
