It astounds me that I have not read or even heard of this story until now. The City at World's End by Edmond Hamilton is a fantastic book that I absolutely loved. It should be considered a classic (and I mean an actual classic, defined by its popularity, as opposed to being called a classic by some dusty old professor who is out of touch with reality). The City at World's End: 9.5 out of 10 |
<<Spoilers>>
In a stroke of brilliance, Hamilton takes this typical, ordinary town and throws it forward through time. Following a flash of light and a nuclear detonation in the air above Middletown (could there possibly be any better name to show how simple, typical, and plain old normal a town is?). Rather than destroy the town - in the traditional sense - the bomb transports the entire town far, far into the future.
What follows is a gripping tale of adventure, fear, and resolve as the townsfolk struggle to come to terms with their new situation. Alone on a barren, dying world, the Middletowners must find a way to survive. Hamilton takes a sophisticated look at basic human nature as the decision is made to abandon their homes in favor of a more sheltered place nearby (I won't spoil that part).
Read The City at World's End and see the intense struggle as the Middtletowners are first brave enough to abandon their homes, and then brave enough to defend their home from destruction. It sounds confusing, I know, but it really is a wonderful story that you won't regret reading.