SFF

The Way

Spiegel & Grau. Dec. 2024. 304p. ISBN 9781954118423. $29. SF
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This epic journey through a near-future, postapocalyptic landscape blends extreme suspense with serene meditation. Will has survived a brutal pandemic by isolating at his Tibetan Buddhist retreat center after the death of most of the populace. With the devastated country in ruins, he is tasked with delivering a potential cure for the plague from Colorado to California. He and his companions—a raven, a cat, and two mules pulling a Ford pickup—journey across the Western United States. An intriguing facet is that Will has developed the ability to converse with the cat and the raven, adding an extra dimension to the narrative. The tale unfolds in a series of high-stakes encounters with dangerous wildlife and humans, including an enigmatic militia leader intent on stealing the plague cure. Due to Will’s thoughtful preparation and good luck, the company survives numerous deadly encounters. Along the way they pick up several traveling companions and make a series of surprising discoveries.
VERDICT Groner (Exiles) offers a contemplative take on the postapocalyptic genre that leaves room for hope but doesn’t stint on realism. This novel reads like Cormac McCarthy’s The Road meets Robert M. Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance; highly recommended.
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