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World Made by Hand
- The World Made by Hand Novels, Book 1
- Narrated by: Jim Meskimen
- Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins
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World Made by Hand
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Summary
In The Long Emergency, celebrated social commentator James Howard Kunstler explored how the terminal decline of oil production combined with climate change had the potential to put industrial civilization out of business. In World Made by Hand, an astonishing work of speculative fiction, Kunstler brings to life what America might be, a few decades hence, after these catastrophes converge.
The electricity has flickered out. The automobile age is over. In Union Grove, a little town in upstate New York, the future is nothing like people thought it would be. Life is hard and close to the bone. Transportation is slow and dangerous, so food is grown locally at great expense of time and energy, and the outside world is largely unknown. There may be a president, and he may be in Minneapolis now, but people aren’t sure. The townspeople’s challenges play out in a dazzling, fully realized world of abandoned highways and empty houses, horses working the fields and rivers, no longer polluted, and replenished with fish.
This is the story of Robert Earle and his fellow townspeople and what happens to them one summer in a country that has changed profoundly. A powerful tale of love, loss, violence, and desperation, World Made by Hand is also lyrical and tender, a surprising story of a new America struggling to be born - a story more relevant now than ever.
Critic reviews
What listeners say about World Made by Hand
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Shaun V. Hewitt
- 05-04-22
Thought provoking.
Although set after the downfall of society as we know it, this is no way a fantasy novel.
I guess we all have an idea in our heads, or have flirted with the concept of, what our lives might be like after the apocalypse. In this imagined world there is not even an apocalypse, there is a realistic spiral downwards of the American infrastructure. This book then imagines that concept with less dramatic consequences than we are used to seeing in films set in future times. I can imagine the world James Howard Kunstler has created, and not ALL of it is unappealing.
The only negative I can think of is the ending, it kind of just stops, though it does leave the reader to imagine their own 'what happens next'.
Off to buy the second book now. Sad to see the rest of the series after that isn't on Audio.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Peter Wood
- 28-06-23
A gem in the post-apocalypse genre
A very realistic portrayal of the post apocalypse, modernity has mostly vanished and there is a return to a more pastoral existence. It is however far from an idealised society, with many refusing to play nice. Well worth a listen, great narration which really draws you in.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- James
- 07-01-23
an unexpected gem, scratches post apocalyptic itch
Great to have a post apocalyptic book that isn't about zombies. I love all the detail about how they've had to adapt and the challenges they face. looking forward to listening to book 2 and hope to buy books 3 and 4 when they get adapted to audiobook.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- cliffaw
- 30-03-22
One potential epitaph for our time
A prophetic tale; at times bleak, hopeful at others. i resisted awarding a full 5 stars only because the perspective is somewhat limited. i particularly enjoyed the reading by Jim Meskimen which added a certain wholesome quality to what might have been just another tale of dystopia. There are hints of a supernatural element which i expect to be developed and I look forward to reading further works in this series and also the author's non fiction, all of which seem to be available here.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Maggie the Pug
- 11-03-23
The new old days
This was a terrific book, very plausible and thought provoking of mankind’s future. I loved it and could not stop listening to it, the narrator was great. Thoroughly recommend this book!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Hedgerow Lady
- 25-02-21
Thought provoking
A great post apocalyptic tale, exceptionally well delivered by an excellent voice actor.
I swear Wayne was played by Jack Nicholson!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- M. R. Henderson
- 12-02-23
worth a listen
didn't feel like there was a start, middle and end. did enjoy it though. I couldn't get through it as quick as other books.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Tom
- 25-08-17
End of the World meets Frontier Country
What did you like most about World Made by Hand?
Although the Author has a definite political agenda (left of centre) I didn't feel it was being constantly rammed down my throat as is often the case with this genre. I enjoyed not being told everything at once. How did the world stop why is it the way it is now? This was drip fed on an almost need to know basis which kept me wanting more. I will definitely buy more in the series. As an atheist I tend to be wary when religion pops up in any book. However, in this book I found the use of religion interesting in the binding together of a community. A new religion moving in on an established faith and the possible outcomes. There are other underlying issues mentioned in the book that may be looked at later; the number of children being born; the issues of race and ethnicity; and a nascent serf system developing under a benevolent liege lord
What was one of the most memorable moments of World Made by Hand?
There are no set pieces so it is difficult to say. However, I found the visit to Carpville to serve an arrest warrant reminiscent of scenes from westerns, or a visit to an off-world market from a science fiction film. Bizarre and creepy with enough tension to make you concerned for the main protagonists. .
Have you listened to any of Jim Meskimen’s other performances? How does this one compare?
I have not listened to Jim Meskimen before, so have nothing to compare it to. However, I did enjoy his performance and at no point did it grate, although being English I would have issues over some pronunciations.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Killing is messy and the law is notional idea in this world of the future. We have characters who want to uphold and use the law, but also realise that sometimes you have to just kill people. It's not cartoon violence. When people die you are surprised and in some cases sorrowful.
Any additional comments?
It is nice to read a book in this genre where sex is okay and sex outside of marriage is a given. No mention yet of same sex relationships, but I live in hope.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Virginie D.
- 30-01-22
Best audio listening. Great book!
The narrator is amazing, loved it!!
Interprets all characters. Great story too. Thank you.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- VJ
- 16-03-22
Excellent
Such a refreshing change to have a more believable post apocalyptic storyline.
I thoroughly enjoyed both books (so far?) in this series. Great characters that where brought to life with outstandingly good narration.
More please!
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1 person found this helpful