The Gone-Away World

by Nick Harkaway
The Gone-Away World cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
Technical:
  • ID: 1182
  • Added: 2025-09-27
  • Updated: 2025-09-27
  • ISBN: 9780099519973
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2009-01-29
  • Formats: 17
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

The Gone-away World is a wild, action-packed adventure that combines the thrill of a post-apocalyptic war story with the heart of a friendship tale. The narrative is infused with humor and kung-fu action, making it a unique and engaging read. The book explores themes of survival, camaraderie, and the lengths people go to protect what they love, all while delivering a thrilling and often hilarious journey. /n/n The setting is a world teetering on the edge of destruction, where a group of heroes must navigate a landscape filled with danger and uncertainty. Their mission is not just to survive but to save the world from an impending doom, using a mix of wit, skill, and sheer determination. The Gone-away World stands out for its blend of genres and its ability to keep readers on the edge of their seats while also touching their hearts.

Reviews
City of Tongues · 2025-09-27
entertaining 4.00

The novel is described as a wild, adventurous post-apocalyptic journey with plenty of charm and wit to overlook its improbabilities. It's a story that jumps over its own inconsistencies with ease.

This review paints the book as a lively and imaginative post-apocalyptic adventure. The reviewer appreciates the novel's energy and humor, which help to carry the story through its more far-fetched moments. They highlight the book's ability to entertain and engage, making it a thrilling read despite its length and occasional rambling. The reviewer also notes the unique voice and style of the author, which adds to the overall enjoyment of the story.

Quick quotes

    The Gone Away World is a crazed, shaggy-dog post-apocalyptic picaresque, with more than enough brio and cheek to leap its improbabilities in a single bound.

    It's a wild ride through a world that's both terrifying and wondrous.

    The novel's strength lies in its ability to balance humor and horror, making it a uniquely entertaining read.

CL Siewert's Blog · CL Siewert · 2013-05-03
thoughtful 4.50

The book is noted for its depth and complexity, offering new insights with each read. It's not a comforting read but one that reveals more with every revisit.

The reviewer finds that this book is rich with layers of meaning and detail that unfold with each reading. They emphasize that it's not a simple, comforting story but rather one that challenges and rewards the reader with new discoveries. The reviewer appreciates the book's complexity and the way it invites multiple interpretations and reflections. They suggest that the book's true value lies in its ability to surprise and engage readers over time.

Quick quotes

    It's one of those kinds of books that offers more each time through.

    Not the lull of a comforting, familiar read, but the folds of the 'ah-ha!'

    The book's depth and complexity make it a rewarding read that continues to reveal new insights.

The Guardian · Steven Poole · 2008-05-23
thrilling 4.00

The reviewer is both thrilled and exhausted by the novel's combat-filled portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world. They find the story intense and engaging.

Steven Poole expresses a mix of excitement and fatigue while reading this novel, highlighting its intense and action-packed portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world. He finds the story compelling and thrilling, despite its length and the sheer amount of action. Poole appreciates the novel's ability to keep the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat. However, he also notes that the sheer intensity of the story can be exhausting, making it a challenging but ultimately rewarding read.

Quick quotes

    Steven Poole is both thrilled and exhausted by Nick Harkaway's The Gone-Away World.

    A combat-filled portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world that is both thrilling and intense.

    The novel's action-packed narrative keeps the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat.

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