The Gone-Away World
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4.4 • 62 Ratings
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
A hilarious, action-packed look at the apocalypse that combines a touching tale of friendship, a thrilling war story, and an all out kung-fu infused mission to save the world.
“A flat-out ferociously good novel.... Reads like a surrealist smashup of Pynchon and Pratchett, Vonnegut and Heller.” —Austin Chronicle
Gonzo Lubitch and his best friend have been inseparable since birth. They grew up together, they studied kung-fu together, they rebelled in college together, and they fought in the Go Away War together. Now, with the world in shambles and dark, nightmarish clouds billowing over the wastelands, they have been tapped for an incredibly perilous mission. But they quickly realize that this assignment is more complex than it seems, and before it is over they will have encountered everything from mimes, ninjas, and pirates to one ultra-sinister mastermind, whose only goal is world domination.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This unclassifiable debut from the son of legendary thriller author John le Carr is simultaneously a cautionary tale about the absurdity of war; a sardonic science fiction romp through Armageddon; a conspiracy-fueled mystery replete with ninjas, mimes and cannibal dogs; and a horrifying glimpse of a Lovecraftian near-future. "Go Away" bombs have erased entire sections of reality from the face of the Earth. A nameless soldier and his heroic best friend witness firsthand the unimaginable aftermath outside the Livable Zone, finding that the world has "unraveled" and is home to an assortment of nightmarish mutations. With the fate of humankind in the balance, the pair become involved in an unlikely and potentially catastrophic love triangle. Readers who prefer linear, conventional plotlines may find Harkaway overly verbose and frustratingly tangential, but those intrigued by works that blur genre boundaries will find this wildly original hybrid a challenging and entertaining entry in the post-apocalyptic canon.
Customer Reviews
I didn't know books could BE this good.
It's really quite dark and violent, yet there's a core of humanity and a surprising amount of humor.
Astounding!
A wonderful, surprising and loving portrait of the human condition. It's also a fun and smart adventure story. Quite an accomplishment.
Latveria
Read because of William Gibson's recommendation, & blessings on them both. My absolute favorite read of the year, reminds me of early Neal Stephenson. This book has everything -good writing, solid loveable characters, philosophy, wit, and of course, ninjas. As soon as I finished it I went back to re-read my favorite parts, & I haven't done that in a while. Can't wait for more from this author.