Alas, Babylon
When disaster strikes and environmental chaos ensues, unity and community are necessary to survive the crisis. Published in 1959, Alas, Babylon by renowned science fiction author Pat Frank is set during the height of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union in an isolated, fictional town in Florida called Fort Repose. An officer in the Air Force warns his brother Randy Bragg that nuclear war is coming. Officer Mark sends his wife Helen and children to Randy’s home for safety. Nuclear bombs strike the next day, cutting off Fort Repose from the rest of the country. Spared from the initial nuclear fallout, the town must rebuild and work together to survive with limited resources. This nuclear war novel contrasts with the other ecohorror texts since it offers hope that resilient communities can rebuild and persevere through environmental disasters. The other texts offer a bleaker perspective, emphasizing that nuclear conflict only leads to loss and the destruction of humanity and ecosystems. Frank’s cautiously optimistic novel attests to humanity’s unique ability to adapt to apocalyptic environments and form a more cohesive and ideal community in the process.