by Tim O'Brien
First published 1985
When a small-town teacher's peaceful life is shattered by a nuclear accident, he must confront the fallout - both literal and emotional. As the town grapples with radiation exposure and the looming threat of total annihilation, the protagonist wrestles with his own fears, guilt, and the weight of responsibility. With the clock ticking, he must find the courage to protect his loved ones and confront the harsh realities of the nuclear age.
Genres: fiction, science-fiction, 20th-century, 21st-century, apocalyptic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: family-drama, man-vs-nature
312 pages · Hardcover · Alfred A. Knopf
Content warnings: death, violence