The commodification and thus normalisation of the likelihood of climate catastrophe and its accompanying fear is striking in this piece. Costco emergency survival packs—what a world! We haven’t quite reached that stage of commercial preparedness for catastrophe here in the UK, though I dare say we’re not far behind.
Seeing our popular fictions of apocalypse become the narrative engine of everyday big box store econo-paks is one of those singularly American phenomena of the sort that charged the best fictions of Philip K. Dick. The postwar British tradition of the cosy catastrophe (from John Wyndham to his reinventions by Ballard and others) seems more about the land than the stuff, and more about honor than hoarding. We even have grocery store magazines about survivalist fantasies: https://fieldnotes.christopherbrown.com/p/prepper-dreams-of-edgeland-wine
I’m teaching John Christopher’s The Death of Grass this week which is decidedly lacking in coziness once the protagonists are set in motion. I suspect the label is more to do with class, how the protagonists are frequently from the upper middle classes and comfortably affluent - and you’re right about land, the defence and taking of it and other “possessions” (guns, women), and the land (especially countryside) as a place of redemption and conflict. It was fascinating to see the way the apocalyptic imagination fed into public responses to the Covid lockdown. For many it was ‘cosy’ - a time to retreat to the family unit, but a coziness that hid social inequalities and domestic violence. The hoarding and panic buying seemed more in the tradition of the apocalyptic movie—perhaps more of a US trope but one that has seeped into the British subconscious. It probably won’t be long until disaster is seen as a marketing opportunity here.
I read The Strange earlier this year, my first book by Nate, and quite liked it. So thanks for reminding me I need to dig into more by him.
Digging your book now that I'm back home, and reading bits to my wife in bed while she's trying to read her own. I don't do that often anymore (it bugs her), so she knows it's important when I do.
Thanks for all the great recommendations and also sorry to have missed your Wild Detectives talk! That shop is a true Dallas gem, where that Old Man's Beard grows all over White Rock Lake. Also, a yoga teacher friend posted from Asheville this morning, a couple links to send donations if folks are so disposed:
BeLoved started at a small house downtown, they are now a major source of relief in Asheville, especially for homeless people. Find our more here https://belovedasheville.com/
Manna Food Bank is also an excellent charity that has been doing great work for decades. My teacher trainees have volunteered here in the past during my programs: https://www.mannafoodbank.org/
The commodification and thus normalisation of the likelihood of climate catastrophe and its accompanying fear is striking in this piece. Costco emergency survival packs—what a world! We haven’t quite reached that stage of commercial preparedness for catastrophe here in the UK, though I dare say we’re not far behind.
Seeing our popular fictions of apocalypse become the narrative engine of everyday big box store econo-paks is one of those singularly American phenomena of the sort that charged the best fictions of Philip K. Dick. The postwar British tradition of the cosy catastrophe (from John Wyndham to his reinventions by Ballard and others) seems more about the land than the stuff, and more about honor than hoarding. We even have grocery store magazines about survivalist fantasies: https://fieldnotes.christopherbrown.com/p/prepper-dreams-of-edgeland-wine
I’m teaching John Christopher’s The Death of Grass this week which is decidedly lacking in coziness once the protagonists are set in motion. I suspect the label is more to do with class, how the protagonists are frequently from the upper middle classes and comfortably affluent - and you’re right about land, the defence and taking of it and other “possessions” (guns, women), and the land (especially countryside) as a place of redemption and conflict. It was fascinating to see the way the apocalyptic imagination fed into public responses to the Covid lockdown. For many it was ‘cosy’ - a time to retreat to the family unit, but a coziness that hid social inequalities and domestic violence. The hoarding and panic buying seemed more in the tradition of the apocalyptic movie—perhaps more of a US trope but one that has seeped into the British subconscious. It probably won’t be long until disaster is seen as a marketing opportunity here.
Congrats on the great review from Carolyn Kellogg!
Thank you!
I read The Strange earlier this year, my first book by Nate, and quite liked it. So thanks for reminding me I need to dig into more by him.
Digging your book now that I'm back home, and reading bits to my wife in bed while she's trying to read her own. I don't do that often anymore (it bugs her), so she knows it's important when I do.
Also? I imagine Seth did not shoot the deputy.
Delighted to hear that, Derryl! Thank you.
Thanks for all the great recommendations and also sorry to have missed your Wild Detectives talk! That shop is a true Dallas gem, where that Old Man's Beard grows all over White Rock Lake. Also, a yoga teacher friend posted from Asheville this morning, a couple links to send donations if folks are so disposed:
BeLoved started at a small house downtown, they are now a major source of relief in Asheville, especially for homeless people. Find our more here https://belovedasheville.com/
Manna Food Bank is also an excellent charity that has been doing great work for decades. My teacher trainees have volunteered here in the past during my programs: https://www.mannafoodbank.org/
Thank you! These are great links, and I hope to get back to explore more of wild Dallas soon.
Glad to be pointed to your book by the doctorow piece. I love vacant lots