California
California
Book Brief
Beta393
Novel • Fiction
California • Near Future
2014
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Edan Lepucki's novel California, a couple, Frida and Cal, navigate a post-apocalyptic landscape after societal collapse. They leave Los Angeles for the wilderness, seeking safety and a better future. As they encounter various communities and individuals, they face complex challenges that test their relationship and survival skills.
Reviews & Readership
21,564 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Edan Lepucki's California is praised for its immersive writing and compelling depiction of a post-apocalyptic world, exploring themes of survival and relationship dynamics. However, some critics note that the narrative pacing can be uneven and certain plot points feel underdeveloped. Overall, the novel offers a thought-provoking, if sometimes flawed, journey.
Who Should Read California?
A reader who enjoys California by Edan Lepucki will likely appreciate post-apocalyptic narratives focusing on character development and survival. Fans of The Road by Cormac McCarthy and Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel will find this novel compelling for its exploration of human relationships in dystopian settings.
21,564 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
California by Edan Lepucki gained significant attention and popularity after being featured on The Colbert Report during a campaign to support debut authors amid the Amazon-Hachette dispute.
The novel explores themes of survival and societal collapse, drawing comparisons to classic dystopian works, while presenting a unique contemporary perspective.
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Edan Lepucki wrote California as her debut novel, which was published by Little, Brown and Company in 2014 and became a bestseller shortly after its release.
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393
Novel • Fiction
California • Near Future
2014
Adult
18+ years
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