TV Gold

Partially inspired by the Autumn thread elsewhere, does anyone have any recommendations for novels covering similar(ish) ground to Survivors?

The works of the two Johns (Wyndham and Christopher), go without saying - early Ballard too - but "the world we know destroyed" is a popular theme in SF (it warranted a chapter of its own in a SF guide that I used to have), and I'm sure that there must be some cracking reads out there, to tide me over until Santa brings me series two of Survivors. Obviously, a British setting is prefered.

I'm also intrigued by a novel that I half remember hearing about a few years ago, where the matter of the world began to change (I think it might have been called "Blood" or "Red"). It was by a young author and was, I believe, set in Britain.

Not much to go on, I know, but I thought I'd ask.

<!--QuoteBegin-Gully Foyle+Nov 10 2004, 01:48 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gully Foyle @ Nov 10 2004, 01:48 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->The works of the two Johns (Wyndham and Christopher), go without saying
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Not for me it doesn't. <!--emo&:(-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif[/img]<!--endemo-->

Can you quote some books by them so I can investigate?

Obviously I am aware of Day of the Triffids.


Thanks!

<!--QuoteBegin-cherbert+Nov 10 2004, 02:56 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cherbert @ Nov 10 2004, 02:56 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Not for me it doesn't.  <!--emo&:(-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif[/img]<!--endemo-->

Can you quote some books by them so I can  investigate?

Obviously I am aware of Day of the Triffids.
Thanks!
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Well The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham (aliens wage a war against man, leading to the melting of the ice caps), and The Death of Grass by John Christopher (new disease kills wheat, etc. Very Survivors like - in fact I think my copy came via Bob Meade), are the two main ones. I suppose you could just about squeeze Wyndham's Chrysalids in there too. All made very effective radio dramas (especially the first), and "...Grass" has been filmed, although I've never seen it.

I'd also mention Fred Hoyle's The Inferno which, for the latter half anyway, is also very Survivors-like, although it is very heavy science to begin with.

<!--QuoteBegin-Gully Foyle+Nov 10 2004, 01:48 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gully Foyle @ Nov 10 2004, 01:48 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Partially inspired by the Autumn thread elsewhere, does anyone have any recommendations for novels covering similar(ish) ground to Survivors?

The works of the two Johns (Wyndham and Christopher), go without saying - early Ballard too - but "the world we know destroyed" is a popular theme in SF (it warranted a chapter of its own in a SF guide that I used to have), and I'm sure that there must be some cracking reads out there, to tide me over until Santa brings me series two of Survivors. Obviously, a British setting is prefered.

I'm also intrigued by a novel that I half remember hearing about a few years ago, where the matter of the world began to change (I think it might have been called "Blood" or "Red"). It was by a young author and was, I believe, set in Britain.

Not much to go on, I know, but I thought I'd ask.
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the novel you remember hearing about is King Blood by Simon Clark which sees the Earth melting underfoot. (and is a great read!!! its now been reissued) also by Simon Clark "Blood Crazy" which sees adults turn on children overnight. Again by Simon Clark "Stranger" which sees 99% of humanity turn wild and attack each other.
Some others worthy of note-Stephen King's classic "The Stand" about a superflu (in the survivors vein) "Swan Song" by Robert R McCammon (post nuclear scenario-a real classic this one) James Herbert's quite horrible "Domain" (again post nuclear) and the above mentioned John Christopher end of the world novels.
George Stewart's classic "Earth Abides" to name a few.

lastly Simon Clark (again) with his sequel "Night of the Triffids"

Thts all i can think of.

Careful, the world is coming to an end...

Hi -

This list is quite good: <a href='http://www.emptyworld.info/book_index.html' target='_blank'>http://www.emptyworld.info/book_index.html</a>.

Cheers. PB

<!--QuoteBegin-john putland+Dec 13 2004, 08:10 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john putland @ Dec 13 2004, 08:10 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->the novel you remember hearing about is King Blood by Simon Clark which sees the Earth melting underfoot. (and is a great read!!! its now been reissued) also by Simon Clark "Blood Crazy" which sees adults turn on children overnight. Again by Simon Clark "Stranger" which sees 99% of humanity turn wild and attack each other.
Some others worthy of note-Stephen King's classic "The Stand" about a superflu (in the survivors vein) "Swan Song" by Robert R McCammon (post nuclear scenario-a real classic this one) James Herbert's quite horrible "Domain" (again post nuclear) and the above mentioned John Christopher end of the world novels.
George Stewart's classic "Earth Abides" to name a few.

lastly Simon Clark (again) with his sequel "Night of the Triffids"

Thts all i can think of.

Careful, the world is coming to an end...
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Thanks for the list John, especially the King Blood lead.

I'd forgotten about James Herbert. I haven't read any of his stuff for years.

<!--QuoteBegin-GREEN_SWAN+Dec 18 2004, 02:23 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(GREEN_SWAN @ Dec 18 2004, 02:23 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi -

This list is quite good: <a href='http://www.emptyworld.info/book_index.html' target='_blank'>http://www.emptyworld.info/book_index.html</a>.

Cheers. PB
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Excellent list Green Swan.

I might even give you your Christmas presents now <!--emo&:P-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]<!--endemo-->

Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven and Poul Anderson..

One of my most favourites.. comet strike on earth and the survival of some followed characters in usa.. good meaty read and well worthwhile.. some great detail. Takes a while to get into the swing of the story but that helps build the reality of the people that you later come to care about..

Interestingly, those two authors who wrote several sci-fi works together.. were the genies who actually wrote pres reagon's speech about Star Wars! Its true! They conceived of the whole idea as a massive scam.. soviets near bankrupcy.. hit them with a plan to spend even MORE on an entirely new defence system.. they put the idea to him, who they knew, and he read the entire speech that was written by two science fiction writers... lol Who says sci-fi is not important??