good book. recommended.

not the best I've read but it is up there with best. different to other books like this I've read as it focuses on one place and time moves quite slowly as day to day. Didn't like how the actual war was generalised and summarised as my emotions didn't get chance to connect and Mourne as big characters died they were just mentioned as an after thought. not my favourite book but I would recommend.

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Shocking and thought provoking

Well thought out and executed. However I feel the narrator's voice and delivery was ill suited particularly for the female parts and lacked range and scope. For the European reader the American apple pie nature of the first fee chapters may grate, but once the disaster strikes the novel takes shape. Great listen.

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First audio book and I really enjoyed it.

Believable story with decent characters. One of the best post apocalyptic readings I have ever enjoyed.
Good narration.
Recommend :)

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2 people found this helpful

Thought provoking storyline

What did you like most about One Second After?

The book explores our modern dependency on technology and how vulnerable we become without it. The difficulties caused by an electronic meltdown were well explored, even down to areas such as those who are medication dependant as well as the more obvious issues such as food, water and power.

What other book might you compare One Second After to, and why?

The book revolves very much around the lead character his family and their town so in that respect, tends not to compare to other books of the genre I have read. This book explores the disaster at the local level. If it were to happen, we would all experience the same issues.

What about Joe Barrett’s performance did you like?

I loved this narrator for his soft accent, good diction and measured pace.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book does tug at the heart strings but would have done so much more with less schmaltz and a big lid on the patriotic We are Americans stuff. I understood what the author was trying to say with it but it was too heavy handed especially as the people causing all the trouble were also Americans too!

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the book but felt that it missed the opportunity to be taken a bit more seriously and that is a shame. As with so many books today, I felt some of the story and the writing was sacrificed for the movie the author was hoping for.

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2 people found this helpful

Pray it never happens

Where does One Second After rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Best book I've listened to for a while. Perhaps ever.

What did you like best about this story?

This book must've been good as I found myself talking about its scenarios over dinner, wondering to myself what *I* would do in a similar situation and getting emotional more than once as the story progressed. I guess it's really immersive - perhaps more so as an audio book, aided partly by the narrator's performance, which never pulled me out of the story once.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Pray it never happens

Any additional comments?

I've seen reviews of the paper book criticising the grammar. But as a 'read' book I never noticed any of this so I'm glad that I listened to it!

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1 person found this helpful

gripping read

This is a really good book for people who like apocalypse type reads. The fact it could potentially happen makes things feel quite real. I was glad this was not narrated in the first person. Tissues may be needed at points in the story. Lots of things I could say about this book, strategy, emergency preparedness, people-management, small town relationships etc. Now going to find the next one in the series.

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Superb listen!

If you could sum up One Second After in three words, what would they be?

Enthralling! Thought Provoking!

Who was your favorite character and why?

John - a normal, caring individual

What does Joe Barrett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Makes John come to life.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Several moving moments - found myself crying as I drove

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Unflinching

Where does One Second After rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's not great literature, but I did find it compelling.

What did you like best about this story?

Like is not really the word, but I appreciated the realism of what you would have to do if all modern facilities disappeared. For example, the fact that healthy adults can die from a scratch that becomes infected. Burying the bodies and rationing food. And the fact that you can't be sure anything will ever get better.

What does Joe Barrett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Excellent reading from Joe Barrett. Different voices and a beautiful delivery generally. I care very much about the narrator of audiobooks and he is top rate.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I thought the moment with the dog was slightly contrived.

Any additional comments?

I liked the actual writing more than I thought I would, as I was expecting something more didactic. However, I didn't care about the whole EMP idea, as I think the principle is the same whatever is the problem that derails modern civilisation - here it was a nuclear bomb, but it could just as well have been sunspots or a computer virus. So if there was a political message, I didn't care. Also, not being an American, I was unmoved by the whole appeal to US patriotism theme. Though I was pleased it was the British who came to their aid in the end!

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Classic book for shtf

What made the experience of listening to One Second After the most enjoyable?

This is one of the few books that has made me cry, I mean really cry, yet it's rugged style and intelligent views of a real threat of a shtf moment and how that impacts a small comunity

What did you like best about this story?

Its a very open honest practical possible near future but unlike alot of shtf books the characters are well developed, I have a real feel the author loves the area the book is set. The issues with rights of the individual are more organic and honest than you would normaly expect

Which character – as performed by Joe Barrett – was your favourite?

the dogs, listen to the book and you will see what I mean

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, though I can't say anything about the 4 poignant moments without spoiling the book

Any additional comments?

Listen to the book and start preparing

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Wow. what a fantastic listen.

this is apocalyptic audio at its very best. well written and utterly believable. closest thing to Earth Abides that I have found. when I have finished this, I will be listening tonight again.

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