The End

[Yog]

I've been in the mood for some good Apocalyptic or Post Apocalyptic fiction. I've read a few, The Stand, Lucifer's Hammer, and Earth Abides to name a few. Can anyone recommend some good ones?

[ShannonA]

The Dark Tower by Steven King is sorta post-apocalyptic, because it's based on an entire universe that's winding down. Lots of neat, ruined descriptions.

I'm fond of a story by Ward Moore called Greener than You Think that's about grass taking over the world. It looks like it hasn't been in print for 20 years though.

Of course, A Canticle for Leibowitz is a classic, though it didn't enthuse me as much as it did many.

[Old Scratch]

I'd like to add a few suggestions as well:

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood. I like this one, but serious sci-fi fans tend to roll their eyes at it. I think it may have more to do with her opinions on sci-fi than her actual book though. I find this a neat read.

I'll second A Canticle, which actually starts off really well, but the third part of the book falls flat and preachy, incidentally in a very ironic fashion.

Matheson I am Legend. Apocalypse + Vampires.

Tim Power's Dinner at Deviant Palace which I am in the process of reading. I can't say much beyond that right now, I'll let you know how it is. Post apocalyptic ruin with strange cults and I suspect some sort of psychic overlord.

I'm sure a few more novels will pop into my head. For some reason, I seem to recall a lot of short stories that cover this area:

The Screwfly Solution which is a pretty creepy apocalypse story. Ellison's A Boy and his Dog which starts off awesome but goes seriously creepy-creepy about a third of the way in. GRR Martin's "...for a single yesterday" which is more low key and haunting.

For films, I'd recommend Children of Men which is hands down my favorite end of the world film. For camp, Omega Man.

Comics-wise I'm currently reading Wasteland, which is a post Apoc Western sort of book with a touch of the psychic.

Check out these links:

Dying Earth fiction: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dying_Earth_subgenre

There's this awesome list you need to look at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_apocalyptic_and_post-apocalyptic_fiction

[Yog]

Wow, that's plenty to go on for a while. Thanks!

[mcrow]

It's Only Temorary is a lesser know, but very good book

After Sean graduates from college, he is ready to begin his life. Silly him for assuming he will have one. Word gets out that humanity is doomed: a giant meteorite has been headed toward the Earth for decades, and the government is ill-equipped to stop it. On the final day of human life, Sean must decide who to spend his precious time with. When he opts to hit the road and reunite with a lost love, he encounters a mad society that is rapidly shredding the trappings of civilization.

It's Only Temporary is a fevered tour of a world on fire. Throw your bookmark away; you will not be able to put this story down...

The Road, sounds pretty good.