What would you do if the apocalypse started today?
Lights Out in Lincolnwood — Geoff Rodkey
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Lights Out in Lincolnwood by Geoff Rodkey
Content warnings included in the footnote of this newsletter.1
What It’s About
Have you ever wondered what you’d do if the apocalypse started out of nowhere — today?
Many narratives take place in the years after a world-ending catastrophe, but none cover what happens in the first few hours of it. (Think when we all bulk-bought toilet paper and sanitized cardboard boxes because we had no idea what to do.) That’s where this book begins.
In an affluent, quiet suburb, without warning, the power goes out. Not just the power: anything with electricity ceases to work entirely. And at first, it’s no big deal. But as the hours stretch on and water becomes scarce (due to the pumps using electricity), the residents of this wealthy neighborhood begin to panic. You’ll follow one family: the parents and their teenage daughter and son through their usual activities of pretending their family doesn’t exist and trying to go on about their own lives. But the power outage changes everything.
Do you rob a Whole Foods? Do you find a gun? Do you help your neighbors, or point your fingers at them so others don’t come looking for resources at your house?
Why You Should Read It
If you don't like unlikeable characters, this will definitely not be a book for you. The book stars what is possibly the most ill-prepared-for-the-apocalypse family ever (which, in all reality, would also be most of us) in the wealthy suburbs of New Jersey.
It was disturbing and downright scary how quick and realistically all seemed to go to hell the minute the power grid shut off for good and how quickly some will turn on their neighbors to get ahead. But that’s exactly why you should read it — it holds up a mirror and asks what you would do, who you would be, to your neighbors and friends in a time of great uncertainty.
If you're looking for a near-future dystopia that's not a pandemic book, this will fit that bill nicely. Just be warned: it's a dark look at where we could easily be headed.
Can’t get enough, or looking for a different recommendation? Browse the archives, or check out some popular past recommendations:
Read a contemporary sci-fi novel that asks big questions about life and its meaning
Read a cautionary tale of a modern princess trapped in her castle
Read a thriller about a polygamist, his wives, and their secret pasts
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Content warnings include islamophobia, racism, gun violence, physical fighting, bullying, use of assault rifles, threats to children (teenagers), and for those who want to know in advance, the dogs are fine.
Lights Out in Lincolnwood reminds me of Leave the World Behind. Did you read the latter? Curious how it measures up!
What an interesting premise! Station Eleven covers a little bit about the start of an apocalypse a bit but most of it is about the aftermath.