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50 pages 1 hour read

Earth Abides

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1949

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Book Brief

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George R. Stewart

Earth Abides

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1949
Book Details
Pages

345

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

San Francisco, California • Mid-20th century

Publication Year

1949

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

15+ years

Lexile Level

960L

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Super Short Summary

In George R. Stewart’s novel, Earth Abides, graduate student Isherwood “Ish” Williams survives a rattlesnake bite only to find a pandemic has decimated humanity. Returning to the Bay Area, he discovers other survivors and forms a community called the "Tribe." Over years, they strive to rebuild society, confront challenges, and adapt to their new reality as they navigate a changed world. The novel depicts the threat of sexual assault as well as a character’s ableist language and bias.

Contemplative

Melancholic

Mysterious

Bittersweet

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.1

35,332 ratings

72%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

George R. Stewart's Earth Abides is praised for its compelling exploration of human resilience and nature's reclamation post-apocalypse. The novel's introspective prose and philosophical depth captivate readers, while some find its pace slow and character development lacking. Overall, it remains a thought-provoking and influential work in speculative fiction.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Earth Abides?

Readers who will enjoy Earth Abides by George R. Stewart are those fascinated by post-apocalyptic narratives and the resilience of human nature. Fans of Richard Matheson's I Am Legend and Cormac McCarthy's The Road will appreciate its introspective exploration of survival, societal collapse, and renewal.

4.1

35,332 ratings

72%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

345

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

San Francisco, California • Mid-20th century

Publication Year

1949

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

15+ years

Lexile Level

960L

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