A review by sams84
The Scarlet Plague by Jack London

4.0

I was rather surprised when I first came across this as I had no idea that Jack London had written a post-apocalyptic story and that surprise continues still given how modern this story feels. It could easily have been written two years ago not a hundred and two years ago. The story is told through the reminisces of an old grandfather who is telling is grandsons how civilisation fell so many years ago and how their clans came about. It is a little slow in parts but this adds to the charm as grandfather loses his thread and his story gets lost on a tangent or two (as stories are want to do when told by those in their later years). The apocalyptic events are vividly told and bring to mind the scenes from the many modern versions that run rampant today (one wonders whether this story has had more of an influence than we realise...) from the early moments of the disease responsible to the final days of society and its ultimate downfall. We also get to glimpse into the grandfather's life as he struggles to survive and reconnect with other people, including his struggle with the how the world has changed. I would certainly recommend this for anyone who enjoys a bit of apocalyptca and for those who just enjoy a good story.