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The Death of Grass Paperback – September 27, 2016

by John Christopher (Author), Robert Macfarlane (Introduction)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,334 ratings
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The Chung-Li virus has devastated Asia, wiping out the rice crop and leaving riots and mass starvation in its wake. The rest of the world looks on with concern, though safe in the expectation that a counter-virus will be developed any day. Then Chung-Li mutates and spreads. Wheat, barley, oats, rye: no grass crop is safe, and global famine threatens.In Britain, where green fields are fast turning brown, the Government lies to its citizens, devising secret plans to preserve the lives of a few at the expense of the many. Getting wind of what’s in store, John Custance and his family decide they must abandon their London home to head for the sanctuary of his brother’s farm in a remote northern valley.And so they begin the long trek across a country fast descending into barbarism, where the law of the gun prevails, and the civilized values they once took for granted become the price they must pay if they are to survive.
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  1. Print length
    234 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    September 27, 2016
  4. Dimensions
    5.06 x 0.59 x 7.81 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1911410008
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1911410003
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The SYLE Press (September 27, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 234 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1911410008
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1911410003
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.06 x 0.59 x 7.81 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,334 ratings

About the author

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John Christopher

John Christopher

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Sam Youd was born in Lancashire in April 1922, during an unseasonable snowstorm.

As a boy, he was devoted to the newly emergent genre of science-fiction: 'In the early thirties,' he later wrote, 'we knew just enough about the solar system for its possibilities to be a magnet to the imagination.'

Over the following decades, his imagination flowed from science-fiction into general novels, cricket novels, medical novels, gothic romances, detective thrillers, light comedies ... In all, under his own name and a variety of pen-names, he published fifty-six novels and a myriad of short stories.

He is perhaps best known as John Christopher, author of the seminal work of speculative fiction, The Death of Grass, and a stream of novels in the genre he pioneered, YA dystopian fiction, beginning with The Tripods Trilogy.

'I read somewhere,' Sam once said, 'that I have been cited as the greatest serial killer in fictional history, having destroyed civilisation in so many different ways - through famine, freezing, earthquakes, feral youth combined with religious fanaticism, and progeria.'

Titles published under the pen-name of Hilary Ford and under his own name are also available on Amazon.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
1,334 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Thomas L. Bonnett
5.0 out of 5 stars Am I reviewing the item or the seller?
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2024
Verified Purchase
Regarding the seller, no complaints. Fair price, item arrived pristine, quick shipping.

Regarding the book, I’m biased because John Christopher can do no wrong, but this is an enjoyable if jarring read. I have to confess that since it was written so long ago, I wasn’t quite expecting just how dystopian this novel was going to be. Christopher presents a matter-of-fact depiction of a society thrown into chaos due to a crisis. Rape and murder are commonplace, so if that gives you pause you better look elsewhere. The author presents a sobering portrait of what people will resort to when day-to-day life becomes a fight for survival. Call it “Lord of the Flies” for adults. The book is more relevant today than ever. Western societies are, in my opinion, lulled by the illusion of prosperity. This book illustrates how quickly things can change, and how bad things can get. It illustrates the importance of allies, but also how those you trust the most are capable of the greatest betrayal.
4 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2022
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I wouldn’t exacting call it a classic but it’s an interesting and quick read. Lots of food for thought or lack of food you might say. It has you asking, ‘what choices would I make here?’
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars I liked it better than I thought I would
Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2024
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I heard about this book through the 'Media Death Cult' YouTube channel. I put it on my kindle awhile back; finally got around to it.
It gave me a slight prequel to 'The Road' mixed with adult 'The Lord of the Flies' vibes.
One person found this helpful
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Rhetorician
3.0 out of 5 stars A Boy's Book of Escape
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2017
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The Death of Grass is clearly written and suitably unsentimental, but I don't share the view that it's one of the great post-apocalyptic novels. Though the ecological catastrophe is convincingly reported in the opening chapters, a brutal escape story takes over without ever touching on the characters' means (or chances) of survival on a potato farm in northern England. Published in the mid-1950s, the novel shouldn't be criticized for being out of sync with contemporary values, but its unjustified portrayal of women as chattel is deeply disturbing.
2 people found this helpful
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Will Lowrey
4.0 out of 5 stars Worth a read
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2021
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Very good book. Dark, grim, and introspective on the nature of man. Character development was a bit lacking and some reactions seemed quite generic, but the study is engaging and well-written.
2 people found this helpful
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Jacob
5.0 out of 5 stars Very satisfied
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2023
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The book was in excellent condition and great price for a hard to find book. Prompt delivery. Very satisfied with vendor.
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lapis lazuli
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent & Frightening
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2017
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This book aged very well; it didn't seem outdated at all. The events which affect society in this book seem very plausible in today's ecologically fragile climate. Once I started it, I found it impossible to put down.

Seeing how easily society breaks down is frightening, because I could see this easily happening. Look at today's political climate; society is breaking down already, without an ecological catastrophe. Now, imagine THIS situation...it is easy to see that this level of chaos (if not more) would wreak havoc on the world.

As I said, it has aged very well, and gives one ample food for thought.
13 people found this helpful
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C. Parton
4.0 out of 5 stars Cards?
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2017
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Interesting plot with good character development in a short read. The chapter that started with a card game was funny. Was it bridge?? Probably popular in 1950.
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Top reviews from other countries

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DC
5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific, nostalgic end-of-the-world adventure
Reviewed in Canada on June 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
Christopher amps up the violence here, but only in the name of realism. An old-fashioned page turner influenced by Burroughs and Wyndham — makes us believe what happens to the main character could happen to any of us under those conditions.
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Elisabeth COTTIER FÁBIÁN
5.0 out of 5 stars Finis, les "classiques" poussiéreux! Un livre excellent: éveillons nos étudiants anglicistes à une BONNE littérature moderne
Reviewed in France on January 25, 2018
Verified Purchase
Comme beaucoup d'enseignants de fac, je trouve nos "anglicistes" de 1er Cycle (Licence) bien mal formés à la lecture en langue anglaise. Dans la plupart des cas, ce que l'on propose aux étudiants sont des bribes de textes, des "extraits" (ma bête noire!) de livres présentés comme des "classiques"... ennuyeux comme la pluie. Cette année, j'ai choisi (une fois de plus) de sortir des sentiers battus en choisissant pour mes étudiants un roman entier, peu connu du public français (tout comme -il faut être honnête- de bien des universitaires anglicistes).
J'apprécie énormément le style de Sam YOUD (plus connu son pseudonyme le plus souvent usité: "John CHRISTOPHER"): un style irréprochable, dense et imagé, qui évoque autant qu'il narre. Ces 200 pages seront lues avec aisance par mon public étudiant: l'intrigue est superbement construite, et la langue de très haute tenue. J'espère que ce premier pas dans le monde de Sam YOUD éveillera chez mes étudiants l'envie de poursuivre la découverte de cet auteur à l'oeuvre protéiforme.
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JH
5.0 out of 5 stars A modern classic, says it all
Reviewed in Germany on January 11, 2018
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Not a happy story, and rather dated these days, but still a short and good read. Not really an environmental survival story in the normal sense.
One person found this helpful
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markwsquires
4.0 out of 5 stars Stands the test of time
Reviewed in Australia on June 6, 2018
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First read this many years ago - and while it is a little dated, it definitely stands the test of time and worth the reread. A post apocalyptic novel without aliens, robots, and zombies - just real people coping with a changed world.
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Duncan Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars un libro fantástico. Crea escuela
Reviewed in Spain on June 11, 2014
Verified Purchase
Me ha encantado. No he podido dejar de ver en sus líneas el argumento que luego crearía muchas otras, The Walking Dead, entre otras. Imprescindible y muy amena
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