Earth Abides (Magill’s Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature)
At a glance:
- Author: George R. Stewart
- First Published: 1949
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Science fiction—post-holocaust
- Time of Work: Approximately 1950 to 2000
- Setting: Berkeley, California
- Genres: Long fiction, Science fiction, Apocalyptic and catastrophe fiction
- Subjects: 1950’s, 1960’s, 1970’s, North America or North Americans, United States or Americans, Snakes, 1980’s, California, West, U.S., Survivalism, 1990’s, Plague
- Locales: Berkeley, CA
The Plot
On a field expedition, Ish Williams, a young graduate student of geography, is bitten by a rattlesnake. He lies near death in a cabin, unaware that a virus is wiping out humanity. When he finally staggers down from the mountains, he finds deserted towns, empty highways, dead bodies, looted stores, and other signs of an incredible disaster. He is unable to make any telephone or radio contact. Old newspapers tell of the plague ravaging every continent. He believes that the rattlesnake venom in his system must have counteracted the virus and saved his life.
Ish...
[The entire page is 1020 words long]
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