One Second After

Nearly a year ago I borrowed a book from a friend called One Second After by William R. Forstchen. She had read it the year before I borrowed it, and we often had discussions spurred from what she was reading. I was able to participate more so than some other people who had not read the book, as it is based in Black Mountain, NC. I am familiar with the area surrounding Asheville, NC so it was really interesting to hear about such familiar things from a girl who had never been there.

I borrowed the book a long time ago, but it sat on my shelf. It was never the right time to read it, and I don't read as often as I should. Finally though, I was very homesick over the holidays and well, since it was the holidays I had quite a bit of free time. I cracked open the book and was hardly able to put it down. The descriptions of a town which had the same mountainous background, same small town attitude, same lots of things as my own home in the States made me fall in love. I will admit right now that I am biased in my opinion of the book most likely. It took me back to a place which I wish to be at so badly right now. It was a different world which the characters in the book lived in though. When all the electronics are destroyed by an EMP, everyone is fighting for survival.

The book pointed out certain aspects which certain "post-apocalyptic" (if I can call it that) movies seem to leave out. Perhaps the book are more thorough in stories like The Road or ... ok, I really can't name any other books. I guess Zombie films? The book talks about long-term survival. The waves of death. Hunger, infections, diseases, the issues brought on by intruders, suicides, mental illness after the drugs run out. I felt that Forstchen really brought up very real issues which are so often overlooked.

In the typical Zombie film, the number of people seems to inaccurately reflect the population of a city or country. Usually this is avoided by focusing on a smaller group of people, like the people trapped inside of the building in REC or those in the mall in Dawn of the Dead. In I Am Legend, Will Smith is basically alone except for the zombie-vampireish things... Where do all the dead go? Magically sinking into the ground? It is a few lucky people against monsters which whom they have no qualms blasting apart with grenades, shotguns, or dismembering with chainsaws. The biggest issue is not being exposed by being bit. The second biggest issue usually seems to be ammo.

No one in the movies is trying to pull together a community to survive as though they were set back hundreds of years. It always seems to turn into survival of... well, whoever the writers decide. It was interesting being able to realistically look at how I would have to act, what I would have to do to actually survive a real threat. I'm not saying that zombies can't happen. I am scared shitless by the idea of zombies, but the "zombie plans" that so many have, and the representations given out by movies are not all that helpful. One Second After makes me afraid of what America has become dependent on and of what other humans can become when pushed to desperation, especially without a good leader.

We entirely take electricity, running water, everything that we have, for granted...

So many thoughts brought on by the book. I nearly cried a couple of times.

Anyway, very much enjoyed One Second After, and thought that I would share.

Life continues to be lovely on this side of the ocean, but my heart goes out to everyone back home. I miss everyone so much, and I hope that everyone stays happy... and that no one blows up an EMP over y'all. I've felt a bit under the weather, but I think I'll survive. It sucks not having someone around to take care of me, but I will nurse myself back to 100% and keep on truckin.

Peace.