"The Death of Grass" by John Christopher.
This is classical post-apocalyptic science fiction, and was chosen be Elaine following her awareness of the book via the Victoria Dock book club.
The book generated a diverse set of responses and a good discussion.
Evaluation of the plot is quite difficult in that it was written in 1956, a decade after the end of WW2 and 60 years before the Covid pandemic.
However, the Covid experience makes an impartial evaluation of JohnChristopher’s novel more difficult.
The novel is set as the story of a family responding to the massive social breakdown caused by failure of grain based nutrition, notably rice and wheat.
The story of their escape from London was heavily laced with violence.
Their goal was to reach and enter a family owned valley in Westmoreland, which they reach but cannot enter without more bloodshed.
There were some positive responses from the club
- Clever idea
- The language is easy
- Quite liked some characters
- Logical ending
- Environmentally ahead of its time
- A terrific novel if a little flat at the end
Some of the book club comments were negative:
- Disliked the rape scene aftermath
- Needed more character development
- Readable but not enjoyable
- Haunting, depressing
- Couldn’t cope with it, too realistic
- Quickly wanted to throw it away
Interesting comments:
- It felt a bit like “Animal Farm”
- The hints of kindness were swamped swathes of selfishness
- Reminiscent of another post apocalyptic novel:
The Road, by Cormac McCarthy
which felt more realistic if equally horrible.
- A book that raised unanswered questions
Doorly score: 3.6
PC. June 7th, 2025
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