BOOK REVIEW - Etiquette for an Apocalypse (OT Novel)

[Mike]

Etiquette for an Apocalypse by Anne Mendel © 2012 Bracket Press
ISBN: 978-0984893003 276 pages Paperback $14.99 (U.S.) ebook
$9.99 (U.S.) Novel

We all know that the end is coming – if not for the entire world, then
at least for civilization as we know it. As to how the end will
arrive, who knows? Ms Mendel weaves a story of a plausible demise of
modern civilization thrown back to a pre-electrical time (for the most
part). Of course the first thing to go is reliable long-range
communication. There is no question that others have survived, but
how many survivors are there? Where are they? What have THEY managed
to salvage in the aftermath of a global catastrophe?

This story concerns one small enclave of survivors and what they do to
survive. Life is hard; the weak don't last long; and one learns to
adapt to, shall we say, reduced circumstances. In the midst of this,
life goes on – families squabble, gangs prey upon weaker citizens,
some plan to seize power, and people die.

People die...such a simple statement and a fact of life even in
today's world. But with civilization reduced to a minimum, and no
surviving government, how do you deal with the disposal of dead
bodies? You make arrangements for them to be collected and disposed
of. But what happens when some of the bodies begin to show a pattern
of mutilation which makes no sense, and a doctor wants answers? He
starts looking, and finds himself, and his family, drawn into a world
of psychics/witches, (who play a minor role, and have no resemblance
to modern followers of the religion) semi-militaristic gangs, and
power hungry maniacs.

And in the end, it is the persons least expected who show their hidden
abilities to make things work that bring a sense of normalcy back. Oh
no, there is no grand resurrection of civilization, no sudden re-
emergence of pre-apocalyptic society. But life is restored to post-
apocalyptic normal.

This book is described, in the flyer which came with it, as “The only
Apocalyptic, Mystery, Thriller-Comedy ever written.” Three quarters
of those descriptive words certainly apply. I'm not so sure about the
“Comedy”, however. There are certainly some amusing moments, but I'm
not sure I would class them as comedic. Other than that, however, I
cannot find anything to pick on in this book.

Looking for a fun read? By all means, get this book and enjoy a
pleasant little escape to the world as it might be a decade or two
down the road.