Title: Alas, Babylon
Author: Pat Frank
First published January 1, 1959
323 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780060741877 (ISBN10: 0060741872)
Rating: 4.08
Overview
“Alas, Babylon.” These words marked the beginning of the end, as nuclear war destroyed the world as we knew it. For the people of one small Florida town, survival meant facing a new reality of hunger, sickness, and violence.
Yet, amidst the chaos and despair, they refused to give up. Together, they fought for a better future, clinging onto hope and their humanity.
Pat Frank’s classic novel paints a vivid picture of a society stripped of its civilization and the tenacity of the human spirit. With an introduction by award-winning science fiction writer and scientist David Brin, this book is a timeless reminder of our resilience in the face of adversity.
About the Author
Harry Hart Frank, an American writer, newspaperman, and government consultant, is better known by his lifelong nickname, Pat Frank. He is remembered today for his post-apocalyptic novel, Alas, Babylon.
However, before he began his second career as a novelist and independent writer, Frank worked for several newspapers, agencies, and government bureaus as a journalist and information handler. He gained valuable experience observing government and military bureaucracy and its malfunctions, as well as the threat of nuclear proliferation and annihilation, which he used in his fiction and nonfiction books, stories, and articles.
Following the success of Alas, Babylon, Frank focused on writing for magazines and journals, using his beliefs and concerns to make political contributions, and advising various government bodies. His expertise and advice were utilized by the Department of Defense from 1963 to 1964, making this his last response to his country’s call.
In addition to Alas, Babylon, Frank’s other books include Mr. Adam and Hold Back the Night. In 1960, he served as a member of the Democratic National Committee, and in 1961, he received an American Heritage Foundation Award and acted as a consultant to the National Aeronautics and Space Council.
Editoral Review
Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank: A Haunting Tale of Survival and Rebuilding in Post-Apocalyptic Florida
Published in 1959, Alas, Babylon is considered a classic in the post-apocalyptic genre. Pat Frank, the pseudonym of Florida-born author Harry Hart Frank, wrote the novel during the Cold War era, at a time when the fear of a nuclear war between the US and Russia was palpable.
The book’s title is based on a line from the Bible’s Book of Revelations: “Alas, Babylon, the great city.” In the novel, the great city is the United States, which has been destroyed by a nuclear attack. The story is set in a fictional town called Fort Repose, in central Florida.
The main character is Randy Bragg, a former lawyer who is now living a lazy and aimless life on his family farm. When news of an imminent nuclear attack reaches him, he is forced to take action to protect his family and friends.
He is joined by his older brother Mark, an Air Force officer who has access to government intelligence, and other townspeople, who band together to survive the aftermath of the attack. The book is not just about survival, but about rebuilding a community and a civilization amidst the rubble of a destroyed world.
It touches on themes of human resilience, the importance of family and friendship, and the consequences of war and violence. The novel also explores the morality of survival, as the characters are forced to make tough decisions about who to trust and how to ration resources.
Frank’s writing is straightforward and unadorned, with a focus on practical details rather than poetic descriptions. The pacing is slow in the beginning, as the author introduces the characters and their everyday lives, but gradually picks up as the crisis unfolds.
One of the strengths of the novel is its depiction of the community of Fort Repose, which is diverse in terms of race and social class. The characters are well-drawn and believable, with realistic flaws and virtues.
While the book is set in the 1950s, it still resonates with modern readers, as the threat of nuclear warfare has not disappeared, and climate change and other global crises pose similar challenges to humanity. The novel also reflects the racial tensions and inequalities of its time, which unfortunately still exist today.
One weakness of the novel is that some of the dialogue and actions of the characters can come across as stereotypical or outdated, particularly with regards to gender roles. However, this can be forgiven given the time period in which the book was written.
Overall, Alas, Babylon is a haunting and poignant novel that will leave readers with a sense of both despair and hope. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of war and the importance of community and resilience.
I highly recommend this book to fans of the post-apocalyptic genre, as well as to anyone interested in exploring the human condition in extreme circumstances. Rating: 4/5 stars.
While the writing and character development are solid, there are some outdated elements that may detract from the enjoyment of modern readers.
