From the Bookshelf of Apocalypse Whenever…

When the English Fall

David Williams

Start date: January 15, 2020

Finish date: February 1, 2020

Discussion: AW BOOK CLUB (spoilers)

Discussion leader: Gertie

Why we're reading this: Read anytime, discussion opens February 1st.
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AW BOOK CLUB (spoilers)

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What Members Thought

Jan 26, 2018 Paul Liadis rated it it was amazing

Just a beautiful novel. One of few where the story beats what I thought the synopsis to be.

And a protagonist in a "post Apocalypse" that chooses a way that is not violent. ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Jul 28, 2017 Jane rated it really liked it

Shelves: post-apocalyptic

This was a very different kind of post-apocalyptic book. Written as the journal entries of an old order Amish farmer, it is a far more religious book than I was expecting. It was also a really interesting insight into Amish beliefs. If you like post-apocalyptic fiction, but aren't crazy about religious content, I wouldn't let that stop you. This was a good story, with some interesting elements, and a really quick read. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 18, 2017 Aimee rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, reviewed-for-reading-lark, 2017

3.5 stars

Review originally published @ Reading Lark: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2017/...

Jacob’s daughter Sadie has been having terrible seizures, and she dreams of the English (non-Amish people) falling. As he writes in his diary of her troubles, little does Jacob realize that Sadie’s dreams are a portent of the future. Soon, a large solar storm rips into the Earth’s atmosphere and disables most of our technology. Living close to the land, Jacob’s Amish community is mostly untouched by the 3.5 stars

Review originally published @ Reading Lark: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2017/...

Jacob’s daughter Sadie has been having terrible seizures, and she dreams of the English (non-Amish people) falling. As he writes in his diary of her troubles, little does Jacob realize that Sadie’s dreams are a portent of the future. Soon, a large solar storm rips into the Earth’s atmosphere and disables most of our technology. Living close to the land, Jacob’s Amish community is mostly untouched by the catastrophe at first. But as people begin to flee the larger cities and make their way into the countryside, Jacob’s community must decide how they can continue living in peace as the world around them becomes increasingly violent.

Apocalyptica is one of my favorite genres to read. Those life and death situations test characters’ principles, fortitude, and compassion. I love seeing how the immense pressures of failing civilization squeeze the very best and the very worst out of people. But until I came across When the English Fall, I had never read a story like that from an Amish perspective. Through this book, I got to know the Amish culture a bit better, beyond just the desire to be separate and the conscious decision to be low tech.

Having a member of the Amish community as the main character, though, simultaneously took away a lot of the struggle that normally propels this kind of book forward. The Amish are peaceful and willing to share what they have with others, so even when bad things start happening nearby, the conflict level in the book is much less than in other end of the world stories. As I was reading, I kept waiting for the big dramatic moment. It eventually happens, but the book is nearly over by that point. To me, that would have been a better place to start the story.

I also wish that Williams had further explored Sadie’s seizure dreams. I loved how he left so much to interpretation: the seizures can be controlled with medicine, but her visions clearly predict the future. But I wish Williams had been more explicit in how Sadie’s dreams were perceived within her community and how that foreknowledge might affect people’s behavior. Will her elders heed her warnings going forward, I wonder?

When the English Fall is a fun summer stand-alone read with great potential for a sequel. Seriously. Please give me a sequel because I want to know what happens next! ...more

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Jan 28, 2019 Paula Hess rated it really liked it

A good post-apocalyptic read that takes place in Lancaster Pennsylvania after a solar flare hits the U.S. The story is told thru a journal written by Jacob, an Amish farmer. Very thought provoking read about what could very well happen someday in the future.

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Dec 12, 2018 Hectaizani rated it liked it

Shelves: library-copy, fiction-sf-science-fiction, fiction, fiction-sf-dystopia, z2018, group-apocalypse-whenever

This book explores what happens to the Amish if there is a giant solar flare which causes the majority of modern technology to stop working and the rest of civilization grinds to a halt. The Amish aren't reliant on technology to the same effect as the rest of us but they also don't live in a vacuum so... Told in diary format it follows one man's retelling of pre- and post- event. Sadly, the conclusion isn't very conclusive. ...more

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