When the English Fall by David Williams

[Vertigo]

I was very nervous going into this book; would I really enjoy a science fiction book set in the world of the Amish? The answer turns out to be a resounding yes! This is an apocalyptic book that begins before the apocalypse and ends in the aftermath. Jacob is an Amish farmer quietly intent on living by the tenets of his Amish community with his small family. A massive solar flare changes everything bringing collapse to the outside world but having little direct effect on his community until they start becoming targets of starving refugees from the big cities.

This is not a book about religion, though religion is, inevitably, at the core of the lives of the protagonists. Rather it is about a small group of people striving to do what is right in the face of a collapsing wider society. It is a slow burn of a book; whilst there is action there is far more contemplation. That might sound dull but it is anything but; written in a very close and intimate first person the reader is gently drawn into the world of the Amish with their thinking, motivations and trials beautifully and sympathetically drawn. The author, David Williams, is himself a Presbyterian Pastor giving him a probably greater insight into the world and motivations of the Amish than would be likely in the average science fiction author and his writing is quite hypnotically lyrical.

I can’t recommend this book enough, whether or not you have any interest in religion this is a wonderfully intimate and beautifully painted picture of a small group of people trying to find the right path when faced with chaos and it would take a hard heart not to be deeply touched by it.

5/5 stars

 

[Danny McG]

Have you ever read the Last Policeman trilogy by Ben H Winters?

Similar theme in the final book, the protagonist finds himself dealing with an isolated Amish community, whose Elder has deliberately kept from his flock the knowledge of the impending doom that the rest of the world is all too aware of.

 

[Vertigo]

Have you ever read the Last Policeman trilogy by Ben H Winters?

Similar theme in the final book, the protagonist finds himself dealing with an isolated Amish community, whose Elder has deliberately kept from his flock the knowledge of the impending doom that the rest of the world is all too aware of.

No I must look it out! and have added to my wish list!

 

[Rodders]

Very nice review, Vertigo. This sounds like a very interesting book indeed.

 

[Vertigo]

Very nice review, Vertigo. This sounds like a very interesting book indeed.

Thanks! It really did blow me away. I'm not quite sure how it managed to be so riveting with so little direct action in it, but it was!

I would also love to hear the thoughts of anyone else who has already read or does read this book.

 

[Danny McG]

I would also love to hear the thoughts of anyone else who has already read or does read this book

I've got it now as an ebook; it'll probably be another month before I get to reading it

 

[Parson]

Sounds like something right down my line. It's resting on my Kindle right now.

 

[Rodders]

I have downloaded it on the basis of this wonderful review and will most probably read it once I finish my current book.

 

[Vertigo]

No pressure then! If anyone hates it I'll blame @Extollager !

 

[Extollager]

I'm willing to take my fair share of blame. : )

 

[Rodders]

I'm going to start this today.

 

[Parson]

Forgotten about this thread. I finished When the English Fall and I most certainly enjoyed it immensely. I think it did the best job of capture how people of deep faith react to major tragedy. There is plenty of contemporary evidence to show that the Amish do indeed live by a different code than most of the world even outside of their traditional life style.

 

[Vertigo]

Forgotten about this thread. I finished When the English Fall and I most certainly enjoyed it immensely. I think it did the best job of capture how people of deep faith react to major tragedy. There is plenty of contemporary evidence to show that the Amish do indeed live by a different code than most of the world even outside of their traditional life style.

Yes, I felt (though obviously don't know) that Williams had really immersed me in the way they think. It was somehow a very intimate experience.

 

[Rodders]

Thanks for putting me onto this, Vertigo, (and by extension, Extollager). This is a beautiful book, indeed.

It took me a while to get used to the diary narrative, but after a few "days", I was well and truly gripped by it. I found myself reading it quite intensely, trying to glean a little more. The ending was handled excellently. You know that there is more, but this chapter in Jacob's life is over.

I would not be surprised to see this studied at schools in the future. Destined to be a Classic of SF. Totally recommended.

 

[Vertigo]

I would not be surprised to see this studied at schools in the future.

My edition came with study notes/questions I think they were targeted more at a reading group though.