Like Dirk Gently I love the interconnectedness of all things, and especially love when the different things I am reading seem to connect with one another.
Over the past week or so the audio version of Zeitoun by Dave Eggers kept me company on my travels. This non-fiction book tells the story of Abdulrahman Zeitoun, a resident of New Orleans who chose to stay in the city during Hurricane Katrina to look after his home and business. Six days after the storm hits he suddenly disappears and his wife, who has evacuated the city desperately works to piece together what happened. It’s a gripping and disturbing story, which I highly recommend.
At the same time that I was listening to Zeitoun I was reading a short story anthology. At first glance a non-fiction book and a science fiction anthology, might seem to have
very little in common, but Wastelands edited by John Joseph Adams collects a 22 outstanding post-apocalyptic tales, and there was something about these survivors living in these wildly altered and often hostile landscapes that reminded me very much of Zeitoun’s own real life story.
It’s a truly impressive anthology. Sometimes themed anthologies can be a bit iffy, but Wastelands doesn’t really have any duds. The stories in this collection range from good to great. If you like science fiction or short stories in general, you’ll definitely want to read this one.
My Books
Wow, those look like great books. I’m always looking for good reads that I might not pick up without a rec so thanks! Have a great week!
.-= Sam´s last blog ..It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? =-.
I’ve got to look for WASTELANDS! I’m going to the bookstore this weekend so it’s on my list!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Monday’s Muse~Dragons & Hawaii =-.
Sam: I actually picked up Wastelands because I was looking for something else on the library shelves and found that instead. It’s nice when that works out!
Heather: It really was a great collection, a bit on the dark side, but that’s the nature of post-apocalyptic stuff.