Day 24 of 30 Day Book Challenge – A Book That I Wish More People Would’ve Read

Photograph by Michael Melford, National Geographic

Day 24 – A Book That I Wish More People Would’ve Read

Ashfall, by Mike Mullin

For close to two years I have been badgering all my bookish friends to read Ashfall, by Mike Mullin  A book about the event most geologists and Discovery channel enthusiasts dread.  While many dystopic stories are captivating, Ashfall is that horrific event that ultimately will happen. Mike Mullin bases his nail biting trilogy upon the inevitable eruption of the Yellowstone super volcano.

Essentially we have two stories, a journey of a young man, Alex who finds his maturity; and that of the obvious loss of life due to a massive volcanic eruption in the central United States.  Alex's journey spans between Cedar Falls, Iowa to Warren, Illinois.  Starting with his house being split in two by what can only be assumed as a ricocheting crater and the continuous assault of falling ash, Alex sets off with a pair of cross country skis to find his way back to his family.

On his travels Alex  finds himself faced with immense ugliness in humanity, striving to survive with whatever means necessary.  Along with that ugliness and desperation, he also finds generosity, ingenuity and unexpected companionship.  Ashfall, has a flavor reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy's The Road, but with a more developed plot and character dimension. It is a novel that will make you want to fill your cupboards with canned goods, water and survivalist gear. I have tremendously enjoyed this series so far and eagerly await the third installment. I am also immensely relieved that I have three sets of cross-country skis in my closet, but hopefully Oregon is out of the potential red zone.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/08/yellowstone/achenbach-text