Thursday, December 18, 2008

Debut Showcase: The Suicide Collectors by David Oppegaard

The Suicide Collectors (US - Canada - UK)
By David Oppegaard (Website - Blog - My Space)
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (December 9, 2008)
Hardcover: 304 pages

Blurb from Publisher's Website:

The Despair has plagued the earth for five years. Most of the world’s population has inexplicably died by its own hand, and the few survivors struggle to remain alive. A mysterious, shadowy group called the Collectors has emerged, inevitably appearing to remove the bodies of the dead. But in the crumbling state of Florida, a man named Norman takes an unprecedented stand against the Collectors, propelling him on a journey across North America. It’s rumored a scientist in Seattle is working on a cure for the Despair, but in a world ruled by death, it won’t be easy to get there.

Mulluane's Take:
This is a post-apocalyptic thriller. Can not really give much of a take on this one. I tend to avoid this type of tale because they all contain elements that could conceivably come to pass. Now, I enjoy a dark story where good triumphs evil within a fantasy setting, but post-apocalyptic stories of this nature just scare me. Instead I am going to point you to this review for more information.

Fantasy Book Critic's review of The Suicide Collectors

Tia's Take:
Since I'm almost finished with David William's Mirrored Heavens, I'm probably going to take a break from gritty for a while. However, I do enjoy post-apocalyptic novels, so I'll keep this one in mind. Part of it takes place in Florida, which always piques my interest. And could he have made it any more difficult for his hero, to make him travel from Florida to Seattle in a post-apocalyptic world? Well, I suppose he could have made him to go Alaska, but you get my meaning. Looks good!

10 comments:

ediFanoB said...

I'm still undecisive. I think I have to wait for a review before I build up my mind about this book.

In former times I played Fallout one and Fallout two. Both post-apocalyptic games and enjoyed them.

Thea said...

I love the cover, and am a sucker for post-apocalyptic tales (and video games, and movies...well, you get the picture)! It has been added to my 'to buy' list.

David Oppegaard said...

Hi guys. Anyone interested in reviews of my book can go to www.davidoppegaard.com, where I've got them all under "Media"

It got a a starred review from Publishers Weekly, etc.

Cheers!

Tia Nevitt said...

Edi, I loved Fallout; Fallout 2 didn't work for me as well.

Thea, I love 'em too. My favorite is still Alas, Babylon.

Thanks for stopping by, David! I usually mention starred reviews, but I forgot this time. Edi, go check it out!

Anonymous said...

This one sounds pleasingly dark and gritty, which I tend to enjoy (what can I say, I look at the world through dark glasses). The concept doesn't set my "must read" bells ringing madly, but it's intriguing enough to make this novel a "browse" at the bookstore, with a "buy" decision being made on writing style and execution.

Also, I like it that the author stopped by to comment!

Tia Nevitt said...

Oh, yes. When the author stops by, it's always a treat. I'm more likely to remember such authors as well!

Todd Newton said...

Hmm, normally I'd stay away from stuff like this too but the title and premise have intrigued me. Thanks for the info, even if it wasn't a straight up reco. I think I'm starting to get more into post-apoc stuff just to see if someone can do it right.

And I can get it from the Library. Can't beat that. Have to put it in line behind Good Omens (to be read after I finish Altered Carbon).

SciFiGuy said...

I love post apocalyptic stuff (except for The Road) and will have to give this a try.

Tia Nevitt said...

TD, I can't exactly recommend it because I haven't read it yet. This is just a showcase of a recently-released debut.

SciFiGuy, I'll look for it at your blog!

Todd Newton said...

I just finished reading The Suicide Collectors (literally, in fact). While the prose was good and the premise and opening chapters totally hooked me, I don't feel like a changed man having read it. The plot was okay and the philosophy on death and suicide were okay... but "just okay."

I just wanted to share since it was this post that made me branch out of my norm and give it a shot. Worth reading, but not earth shattering.