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A review by petealdin
Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
In its way, a reasonably solid (and early) tale of post-apocalyptic survival. It's certainly dated, though not horrendously so.
SPOILERS:
The true horror is the predicament of the main character Ann. At 15/16 years old, she's certainly a resourceful and intelligent teenage girl, if the kind of naive I can imagine in 1970s rural settings. The horror comes not from the idea of living out a life alone in her pocket of environmental health. Rather it's from being at the "mercy" of a grown man who should be ready to protect her, but whose erratic behaviour becomes increasingly predatory.
I can't say I liked this story. It dragged (often) but its details around survivalism were interesting, as was Ann's capable and kind nature. And the ending felt right. But ... I don't know...it didn't really make me like it.
That said, this is a novella, not a novel. And it certainly served the early body of post-apocalyptic fiction well.
SPOILERS:
The true horror is the predicament of the main character Ann. At 15/16 years old, she's certainly a resourceful and intelligent teenage girl, if the kind of naive I can imagine in 1970s rural settings. The horror comes not from the idea of living out a life alone in her pocket of environmental health. Rather it's from being at the "mercy" of a grown man who should be ready to protect her, but whose erratic behaviour becomes increasingly predatory.
I can't say I liked this story. It dragged (often) but its details around survivalism were interesting, as was Ann's capable and kind nature. And the ending felt right. But ... I don't know...it didn't really make me like it.
That said, this is a novella, not a novel. And it certainly served the early body of post-apocalyptic fiction well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment