Why Apocalyptic Fiction Is More Relevant Than Ever

We begin this episode of the Fully-Booked podcast with Meaghan and Arthur, the enthusiastic hosts, setting a casual and relatable tone by discussing the challenges of February in Canada. They joke about the cold, the snow, and the dreariness of the month while expressing their gratitude for remote car starters.

To brighten the month, the hosts decide to explore fresh topics for the podcast, focusing on adult apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic literature. They promise a mix of lighthearted moments and in-depth discussions, showcasing their thoughtful approach to balancing heavy themes with entertainment.

Current Reads and Book Recommendations

The hosts dive into their current reads, introducing several books across diverse genres.

Arthur shares her experience reading Advent by Seth Ring, a LitRPG novel, a genre he initially found unfamiliar but eventually enjoyable. He explains that LitRPG combines literature with the style of role-playing games, making it an engaging read for gamers.

Meanwhile, Meaghan discusses The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson, a romantic and humorous story about an aspiring writer navigating through a writer’s conference. The hosts highlight the novel's light-hearted charm, likening it to Hallmark movies. She also touches on Fourth Wing and This Will Be Fun, describing the appeal of dragons, cozy fantasy elements, and character-driven narratives.

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Exploring Apocalyptic and Post-Apocalyptic Fiction

Shifting to the main topic, the hosts delve into apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic novels, differentiating them from dystopian fiction. They explain that while these genres overlap, they explore different phases of societal collapse.

Apocalyptic novels often depict the event itself, while post-apocalyptic stories focus on survival and rebuilding. The hosts highlight recurring themes such as survival, morality, and societal reorganization, underscoring the emotional depth these stories often explore.

Meaghan and Arthur identify popular tropes within these genres, particularly the prevalence of disease, viruses, or infections as catalysts for societal collapse.

Examples include;

• The Stand by Stephen King
• The Girl with All the Gifts
• I Am Legend

They discuss how these stories depict characters grappling with humanity’s darkest fears, from global pandemics to environmental disasters. The themes resonate with readers due to their connections to real-world anxieties, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Diverse Approaches to the Genre

The hosts emphasize the variety within the genre, mentioning works like War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells, Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham, and The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, which explore alien invasions and speculative science fiction. They compare older narratives to contemporary takes, noting how modern authors add depth and complexity to familiar concepts. They also touch on environmental and nuclear disaster stories, such as The Road by Cormac McCarthy, which depicts bleak yet deeply human struggles.

Another interesting angle discussed is the idea of new societal orders forming after apocalyptic events, often in dystopian contexts. Examples include The Handmaid's Tale, Fahrenheit 451, and 1984.