In Good News, Edward Abbey's acclaimed underground classic, the West is wild again. American civilization as the twentieth century knew it ...
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reviews
Mar 01, 2011
Tara
rated it: 
I agree with many of Abbey's opinions. I enjoy when he's being provocative and pessimistic and sarcastic.
But his fictional style is ludicrous. Ludicrous! I don't know, maybe it's not him, maybe it's me. Why is it adorable when Vonnegut says something silly and inane, and cheesy when Abbey does it? I feel like those dudes would have been buddies. Why am I annoyed by Abbey's lengthy descriptions of the barmaid? Why do I retch at the romantic story-line? Why does the backdrop feel more b More...
But his fictional style is ludicrous. Ludicrous! I don't know, maybe it's not him, maybe it's me. Why is it adorable when Vonnegut says something silly and inane, and cheesy when Abbey does it? I feel like those dudes would have been buddies. Why am I annoyed by Abbey's lengthy descriptions of the barmaid? Why do I retch at the romantic story-line? Why does the backdrop feel more b More...
May 31, 2011
Kelly
rated it: 
Not my favorite Edward Abbey book. It paints a picture of a really violent, disgusting (post-apocalyptic) world where women are sex slaves and men are power-hungry and killing-happy. I know that this is a pretty accurate reflection of parts of the real world, but it made me a little sick inside to read it sometimes. There one good chase scene at the end that satisfied some place in me that missed the excitement of "The Monkey Wrench Gang."
Jan 04, 2010
Link
rated it:
The action here is fast-paced and like many westerns there is little ambiguity about who the white and black hats are. It is an exploration of the kind of mentality that is responsible for well organized assaults on the environment. It sees hope in a combination of rebellion and mysticism.
Aug 17, 2009
Brian
rated it: 
Great view about the ind of society and things going back to the way they were in the old west. Outlaws and fights, this was an exciting book. Started out a little slow but then I got sucked in!!! Read it man!
Oct 20, 2011
Scott
rated it:
Started slow, began to build, and then just seemed to end. There could have been so much more developed here, but maybe the sparseness of it is a reflection of the landscape that Abbey was trying to create. While it may fit the tone of the story, the book ends up lacking substance because of it.
Sep 24, 2009
Derek
rated it:
Read while on the PCT. This book got passed around by many hikers, I think I got it from Scholar? Anyway, it was kind of blah. Worth reading if there is nothing else better I suppose.
Aug 12, 2011
Every Tucsonan who's ever wondered how Phoenix could actually be worse should read this book.
Oct 15, 2011
Veronica
rated it: 
Great book, I share a lot of Mr. Abbey's same opinions so I usually really enjoy his works.
Apr 08, 2009
Giulio
rated it:
maybe not Ed Abbey's best, but it is now more timely than ever to read this book.
Apr 02, 2008
Vicki
rated it:
At first, I wasn't grasped by this book by any means. I was confused, things were unclear, and it wasn't in a "must keep reading!" sort of way. But I persevered, and about 1/4 of the way in, I found my self eagerly reading. Something changed. The story started to reveal itself. And it's "Abbey-ness" started to come through. Upon completion, I immediately turned back to the beginning to read those first few chapters that were so vague and unmenaingful to me at the beginning so
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Jul 07, 2009
Pangs
rated it:
Short and sweet. Moves quickly from the typical western beginning toward an apocalyptic story that still resonates today.
Dec 16, 2007
Sven
rated it:
Edward Abbey was probably the grumpiest motherfucker ever. He loved the natural world and hated people. He was also married 5 times and was open about being an anarchist, all-be-it kind of a confusing one. He was also arguably one of the most important environmental writers. This is his dystopian novel about a fascist army trying to reform the united states and people on horses in the desert just not have'n it. Pretty solid. Plus, it features a completely destroyed Phoenix, AZ. That, I can get b
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Sep 29, 2011
Jon
rated it:
Post-apocalyptic cowboy yarn. A few insigtful phrases. The story is kinda weak. Characters not developed enough. Not Abbey's best, but for an Abbey fan you'd better read this one too. I guess the Good News is the military-complex left Pheonix. So things can go back to the way they were - simple life without all the gadgets and complexities of modern life.
Jan 11, 2009
Paul
rated it:
I keep hoping to run a cross an Edward Abbey book that can come close to THE MONKEY WRENCH GANG. This ain't it. This book seems like the introduction to a longer book, or a series of books that Abbey never got to write. It was an enjoyable read, but a let-down in the end.
Jan 19, 2012
Kristen
rated it:
I think the appropriate response to my first visit to Death Valley National Park in almost six years is to start reading an Ed Abbey novel...
May 23, 2008
Mark
rated it:
An interesting change of pace from Abbey, as he contemplates a futuristic dystopian vision of America. Of course, there are still some renegades left on horseback in the great Southwest. Not one of Abbey's better efforts, but certainly worth a read.
Jan 15, 2008
Sean
rated it:
Ed Abbey never disappoints me. I found this one at The Free Book Thing. It was a particularly unsettling read, given the current state of the world. Without much of a stretch of the imagination, I could see something like this happening in my lifetime.
Nov 23, 2007
Anna
rated it:
It's a fiction piece about when the world ends, in a western setting. It's chock full of Abbey's cynicism and bluntly wonderful sense of humor. Quick, fun read.
Oct 02, 2008
Sarah-Marie
rated it:
short and sweet apocalypse story the Edward Abbey way...with Native Americans and hollowed out, rusty Chevy Blazers on the landscape...
Mar 10, 2008
Jen
rated it:
Fun. I really enjoy futuristic end-of-civilization and rebirth-of-community books. Abbey has a great spin on this. Set in the desert, of course.
Oct 23, 2007
Yochi
rated it:
this is abbey's post-apocalyptic novel and its good enough to make a movie out of.
Feb 09, 2012
Jan 28, 2012
