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Alone
Alone is the story of Ralph Banister. He is a normal average man, married with two kids. When his wife and children leave for a visit to his in laws in England, Ralph finds himself alone at home. He goes about his daily chores and with his faithful dog Jason at his side, Ralph soon discovers that he is not only alone at home, but he is truly alone. Everyone on the face of the Earth has vanished. With no explanation, Ralph and Jason struggle to survive in an empty world. As power fails and the phones go dead, all hope of contacting his missing family is gone. With no outside communication and no idea what has caused the worldwide disappearances, their outlook is grim. With no power, water or phones, Ralph abandons their home and searches for some place to live that will allow him to provide for the future, whatever the future might bring. As Ralph and Jason face new challenges, the two grow closer together and come to depend on each other for their very survival.Ralph tries to adapt to the loss of everyday conveniences as he and Jason move into an old farm house and proceed to make it their home. Ralph spends part of the time building his own power generating plant and relying on spring water. Together they collect farm animals from the surrounding area and move them to the farm. The animals provide food and help to ease the loneliness. As time passes they settle into their new home. Planting crops for food and then guarding those crops, they struggle to become self sufficient. With no men to stop them, wildlife fills the land and Ralph and Jason have new worries as predators also multiply.Ralph prepares the farm for protection and the pair defend themselves against nature running wild. With an explosion of smaller animals, their food supply is threatened but just as quickly the small animals disappear and their worries quickly turn to the large number of predators that are now in the area. With no men around, the animals become bolder and bolder. They are forced to fight to protect each other and the small farm they now consider home.When nature reaches equilibrium, Ralph and Jason spend each day providing for their needs and trying to cope with loneliness. Each day brings a different struggle and Ralph learns to adapt to each new circumstance. Trying to salvage books and materials before they are lost, Ralph and Jason make numerous dangerous trips into the towns and cities until they are forced to stop. Finally all modern technology fails and mankind retreats several hundred years.As the years roll by, they settle into the routine of their new lives. The lack of human company threatens Ralph’s sanity and his sorrow sometimes overwhelms him. Thoughts of his wife and children are never far from his mind and their loss weighs heavily on him. Finally the last man on Earth, an aged and stooped figure waits for the final end.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2011
35 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 11, 2012
This is one of those special offer kindle books that I bought a while ago and simply forgot I had it! I have a real love of post apocalyptic fiction and although this is not horror or thriller I suppose it does fall within the apocalyptic fiction bracket.
Ralph is a man who wakes up one morning and takes his dog, Jason out for a walk and begins to notice the quiet and lack of people about. he gets back home and there is no TV or radio, no telephone and the absence of people starts to send chills down his spine. As days lead into weeks and then into months we get a snapshot from Ralph's point of view what it would be like knowing that you may be the only person left on earth (along with all the animals that seem to have survived whatever happened to humans). I really enjoyed it, it has a modern day "Robinson Crusoe" feel about it, not a taxing book, quite easy to read but I found it hard to put down, there are laughs, tears and hand over mouth moments. What I find intriguing in this book is in order to survive, Ralph collects as many books as he can on survival techniques, building, generators, gardening etc. From local libraries.....it got me thinking with the popularity and rise of ebooks, what would happen to society in a post apocalyptic scenario when we can't use electricity or the internet to gain knowledge? Sobering thought. Paper books could one day save humanity.....!
Ralph is a man who wakes up one morning and takes his dog, Jason out for a walk and begins to notice the quiet and lack of people about. he gets back home and there is no TV or radio, no telephone and the absence of people starts to send chills down his spine. As days lead into weeks and then into months we get a snapshot from Ralph's point of view what it would be like knowing that you may be the only person left on earth (along with all the animals that seem to have survived whatever happened to humans). I really enjoyed it, it has a modern day "Robinson Crusoe" feel about it, not a taxing book, quite easy to read but I found it hard to put down, there are laughs, tears and hand over mouth moments. What I find intriguing in this book is in order to survive, Ralph collects as many books as he can on survival techniques, building, generators, gardening etc. From local libraries.....it got me thinking with the popularity and rise of ebooks, what would happen to society in a post apocalyptic scenario when we can't use electricity or the internet to gain knowledge? Sobering thought. Paper books could one day save humanity.....!
October 15, 2012
I must admit, I have not had this much fun reading a book in a LONG time. I could not believe that a author would have a desire to publish a book who could be so utterly clueless about his lack of revision and editing skills. It is as though TR Sullivan wrote the book late one night, start to finish, and then sent it off to the editor with no consideration to, I don't know, LOOK at the story and consider adding minors details like tension, story arc, a climax, or even an illusion of telling us how the ENTIRE WORLD'S POPULATION SIMPLY DISAPPEARED WITHOUT TAKING THE LOSER PROTAGONIST!!! Supernatural beings are hinted at but never revealed. Ralph is as boring and dull a main character as his name suggests; he never once considers his mortality or the cause of the disappearance of everyone but himself. At one point, he talks about writing down a journal his experiences and then says something to the effect of "Why bother? No one will read it." I think that this is a question that the author should have considered himself before unleashing this ugly, bastardized imposter of a novel on the world.
Thank God I did not have to pay for this book...
Below is a list of the worst-of-the-worst of the grammar mistakes that any editor with a middle school education would have been able to find. Email me TR for your next novel if you need help! I will be better than wasting your money throwing it at the conman of an editor!
"by weeks [sic] end."
"Her husband,Earl had been a bank attendant."
"Getting in he started the truck and listen to the engine rattle."
"Surely your [instead of you're] not planning to walk into town are you?"
"Yes dear" Mandy said "let's go."
"With luck", he thought "I could live another 30 years."
And my favorite un-revised typo:
"I'm sure we will slip farter back than that before it's all over."
Thank God I did not have to pay for this book...
Below is a list of the worst-of-the-worst of the grammar mistakes that any editor with a middle school education would have been able to find. Email me TR for your next novel if you need help! I will be better than wasting your money throwing it at the conman of an editor!
"by weeks [sic] end."
"Her husband,Earl had been a bank attendant."
"Getting in he started the truck and listen to the engine rattle."
"Surely your [instead of you're] not planning to walk into town are you?"
"Yes dear" Mandy said "let's go."
"With luck", he thought "I could live another 30 years."
And my favorite un-revised typo:
"I'm sure we will slip farter back than that before it's all over."
April 24, 2012
This story seemed to be a great idea, however...it was missing something. That, along with all the obvious grammatical errors, dissapointed me. The end of the book seemed out of place and left too much hanging. Even just a few more sentences would have fixed that. Too many questions left unanswered. The author could have left that last little chapter out and I would have never missed it. I am very dissapointed. I only gave it 2 stars because I did like the concept and it had potential with a decent editor.
April 15, 2012
Very descriptive book with a few interesting episodes, but I figured out two possible endings, one of which was correct.
October 12, 2020
Very good book. Makes a person feel like they are walking along with the writer, experiencing each event, even the quiet thoughts with him. Haven't read a book like this in a long time. TR, keep up the good work! You have a fantastic style and way with words that makes the reader feel they are right there with you, every step of the way. I am not sure many young people would understand the feelings that come upon the reader as they share Ralph's life but it is great for people who have some life experiences behind them. Will definitely keep an eye out for more books by this author!!!
Very good book. Makes a person feel they are walking along with the writer, experiencing each event, even the quiet thoughts with him. Haven't read a book like this in a long time.
TR. keep up the good work. You have a fantastic style and way with words that makes the reader feel they are right there with you, every step of the way. Will definitely keep an eye out for more books by this author.
Very good book. Makes a person feel they are walking along with the writer, experiencing each event, even the quiet thoughts with him. Haven't read a book like this in a long time.
TR. keep up the good work. You have a fantastic style and way with words that makes the reader feel they are right there with you, every step of the way. Will definitely keep an eye out for more books by this author.
December 17, 2019
This is my favorite genre to read. Last person on earth. No zombies, no EMP, no mad rush across the world to get to loved ones, no crazy Mad Max style. Just a man and his dog(s). My favorite in this genre is The Wall by Marlen Haushofer, so I am always on the lookout for similar books. I read Sullivan's book Alone a while ago, and enjoyed it. Slow paced, nothing uber violent or formulaic. There are some editing issues, and some scenes that are a bit unbelievable, but then, this is fiction.
3.5*
3.5*
May 19, 2022
This isn't so much a book as it is an exercise in imagination. A 'what if..' overblown into book length. A man wakes up to find he is the only living person. But the author is totally unconcerned about what happened or how this man survived or if there are others like him. He's more concerned with how to make this hero survive. Pages are devoted to energy sources, storing and preserving food, etc etc. and not a word about WHAT HAPPENED???
June 1, 2017
I must start this review by admitting I did not finish this book. The plot synopsis was compelling but I could not get far in the book. The writing is very poor. The sentence structure is so simple and monotonous that I could not stay interested. There are editing mistakes and misuses of words.
October 15, 2017
It was a good tail.
This vigorous moving tail.
Leads the eyes to moisten.
The zoo's to empty.
This long walk .
Off why at all?
This vigorous moving tail.
Leads the eyes to moisten.
The zoo's to empty.
This long walk .
Off why at all?
November 29, 2017
Exhalent story filled with adventure and unexpected turns
You really come to come to feel as if you are right there living these adventures
with the character in this exhalent book i could not put it down
You really come to come to feel as if you are right there living these adventures
with the character in this exhalent book i could not put it down
Read
November 25, 2019nice
December 23, 2021
Typos throughout.
Typos were distracting. Anything that pulls the reader out of the story is a negative. The plot is inventive and kept me reading. I enjoyed the story overall.
Typos were distracting. Anything that pulls the reader out of the story is a negative. The plot is inventive and kept me reading. I enjoyed the story overall.
April 1, 2013
Alone is the story of Ralph Bannister. Left at home while his wife and children jet across the Atlantic to visit her parents he awakes one morning to discover that the rest of the human race has disappeared from the face of the planet. As the story unfolds we see how Ralph copes with this surprising situation.
At first glance this book has clear connections with other post-apocalyptic novels however it is also quite unlike other books in the genre.
Firstly because Ralph faces remarkably few dangers; the first hint of jeopardy doesn't occur until almost half way through the book and there are only about four episodes in the whole story which pose Ralph any real risk. This has the effect of making it rather a slow moving novel.
The second major difference is that . This also contributes to the lack of jeopardy in the novel.
At various points the author mentions Ralph's feelings about losing contact with his family and his fears about what has happened to them. However the focus of the story is on the practical steps that Ralph takes to provide himself with food, warmth and shelter. This was interesting and engagingly done and this was another point of difference between 'Alone' and other post-apocalyptic novels which pay little attention to, for example, the timescale over which food might be available to loot from shops and houses.
As the novel progressed I became increasingly interested in how Ralph came to be in the situation he found himself, despite the fact that he seemed to give this question little if any thought. This question seems to be resolved in the short epilogue at the end of the book. Frankly this was the weakest part of the whole book and I wish it hadn't been included.
I have thought quite a lot about whether to include this paragraph in my review and,obviously, have finally decided to do so. There were several typographical mistakes scattered through the book. None were so bad as to really hinder my understanding of the text but they where noticeable. Furthermore the formatting of chapter headings seemed rather odd in places. In a sense these issues are nothing to do with the merit or otherwise of the story. However I suspect that for some readers they may be rather off-putting.
At first glance this book has clear connections with other post-apocalyptic novels however it is also quite unlike other books in the genre.
Firstly because Ralph faces remarkably few dangers; the first hint of jeopardy doesn't occur until almost half way through the book and there are only about four episodes in the whole story which pose Ralph any real risk. This has the effect of making it rather a slow moving novel.
The second major difference is that . This also contributes to the lack of jeopardy in the novel.
At various points the author mentions Ralph's feelings about losing contact with his family and his fears about what has happened to them. However the focus of the story is on the practical steps that Ralph takes to provide himself with food, warmth and shelter. This was interesting and engagingly done and this was another point of difference between 'Alone' and other post-apocalyptic novels which pay little attention to, for example, the timescale over which food might be available to loot from shops and houses.
As the novel progressed I became increasingly interested in how Ralph came to be in the situation he found himself, despite the fact that he seemed to give this question little if any thought. This question seems to be resolved in the short epilogue at the end of the book. Frankly this was the weakest part of the whole book and I wish it hadn't been included.
I have thought quite a lot about whether to include this paragraph in my review and,obviously, have finally decided to do so. There were several typographical mistakes scattered through the book. None were so bad as to really hinder my understanding of the text but they where noticeable. Furthermore the formatting of chapter headings seemed rather odd in places. In a sense these issues are nothing to do with the merit or otherwise of the story. However I suspect that for some readers they may be rather off-putting.
July 9, 2020
Who would of ever thought a book with a very limited characters would be so engrossing? It involved one human, and his companion a dog, imagine finding one day you are completely alone! No other human beings seem to be anywhere. News stations on tv show empty studios, till all went snowy. Radio gives nothing. A drive into town shows cars that crashed, airbags deployed, keys still in ignition. Purses,bags, newspapers folded, cell phones all about the sidewalk. Crap I would of thought I was really a baaaad girl the 2nd coming happened and I was the only one left! Anyways this one guy decides time to plan and prepare for a what seems a long situation, of fending for himself. A great and edge of your see journey as this man faces each expected and totally unexpected happening. A book with a man and his dog, and all that nature has left behind will leave you thinking of it when not reading, and entering into the very world in the shadows when you are.
May 1, 2012
This book was remarkably slow moving. I thought, more than once, that it would have done better as a movie. Which is saying something. The story is somewhat reminiscent of I am Legend. I kept reading in the hopes that I would get the message the author was sharing. I overlooked the typos and reminded myself that all fiction requires the suspension of disbelief (though this one a bit more). I got to the point where I was invested and found peace with the ending. I was even ok that there was no explanation of the sudden aloneness. But the epilogue totally killed it. I was left asking "what is that supposed to mean? "
April 7, 2013
What would you do if you discovered you were the only person left in the world? That is the premise of this book and shows how Ralph along with his constant companion Jason the dog copes. There were faults and typos such as the name of the cat changing and the style of the writing is at times very laboured. However on the whole it is a very powerful book and the ending was beautiful and had me in tears.
He does seem to accept his situation very quickly though and becomes adept at all kinds of things such as dehydrating food but realistically that had to happen to enable him to survive.
I definitely recommend this book to a wider readership
He does seem to accept his situation very quickly though and becomes adept at all kinds of things such as dehydrating food but realistically that had to happen to enable him to survive.
I definitely recommend this book to a wider readership
May 11, 2013
I'm not even sure how to review this book. I definitely enjoyed it, but more than that, it stayed with me. I found myself thinking about it even when I wasn't reading it and long after I'd finished it.
It was a fast read, but even in that couple of days, whenever I wasn't reading I was wondering about Ralph, I was thinking about things that had happened to him and wondering what else would happen. I cried at the sad parts, I read quickly through the scary parts and then dreamed about it all at night.
It was both entertaining and interesting. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who wants something to think about when they read and not just fluff to fill their time.
It was a fast read, but even in that couple of days, whenever I wasn't reading I was wondering about Ralph, I was thinking about things that had happened to him and wondering what else would happen. I cried at the sad parts, I read quickly through the scary parts and then dreamed about it all at night.
It was both entertaining and interesting. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who wants something to think about when they read and not just fluff to fill their time.
December 16, 2014
This is definitely not a great literary work. And not something I normally would have read except that I had about eight library books on hold with nothing available so I needed something to occupy my time.
It's the story of a man who wakes up to find every other human vanished with no trace (certainly one of the cleaner apocalyptic visions) and the logistical details of that man's survival over the next 50 or so years. Its a very simple tale - no existential angst or questioning from our hero - but the step by step details of survival are quite fascinating. Plus its a super fast read, it only took me like four hours to finish.
Surprisingly engrossing!
It's the story of a man who wakes up to find every other human vanished with no trace (certainly one of the cleaner apocalyptic visions) and the logistical details of that man's survival over the next 50 or so years. Its a very simple tale - no existential angst or questioning from our hero - but the step by step details of survival are quite fascinating. Plus its a super fast read, it only took me like four hours to finish.
Surprisingly engrossing!
December 31, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. It made me think a lot about how hard it would be to be completely alone in the world, and exactly what you would need to do to survive. This book is a wonderful read, and I would highly recommend it.
On a personal note, I was also very touched by the companionship between Ralph and his dog, Jason. At the time I read this book, I was in process of losing my old dog that I'd been with for many years. I could thoroughly related to how attached Ralph and Jason became with each other, and how much Ralph would miss his buddy, if he lost him.
On a personal note, I was also very touched by the companionship between Ralph and his dog, Jason. At the time I read this book, I was in process of losing my old dog that I'd been with for many years. I could thoroughly related to how attached Ralph and Jason became with each other, and how much Ralph would miss his buddy, if he lost him.
June 7, 2016
This is a story following the tried and trusted post-apoloyptic story line used throughout the science fiction genre - especially prevelant after the atomic arms race.
Sullivan brings us a different slant on the story. A man and his dog are left alone in the world when everyone disappears and they must survive helping each other as they cope with the changes and challenges forced upon them by the dramatic change.
If you like post-apolyptic science fiction (or science fiction in general!) then pick this one up - I was simply superb.
Sullivan brings us a different slant on the story. A man and his dog are left alone in the world when everyone disappears and they must survive helping each other as they cope with the changes and challenges forced upon them by the dramatic change.
If you like post-apolyptic science fiction (or science fiction in general!) then pick this one up - I was simply superb.
November 25, 2012
I loved this book, I was lost in every single page of it. But, it's absolutely tragic, there were points when my heart was breaking for him.
I don't think that any other book has left me with so many questions. It stayed with me for ages, I rarely think that I'll read a book again, but one day I'll revisit this one.
If you've read it, you'll know what I mean ...it was so real, but why, how and really? What a great story.
I don't think that any other book has left me with so many questions. It stayed with me for ages, I rarely think that I'll read a book again, but one day I'll revisit this one.
If you've read it, you'll know what I mean ...it was so real, but why, how and really? What a great story.
July 25, 2012
Cracking read and it made me think how I would cope. I liked the detail the author went to with some of the problems faced in keeping things like electricity going..and travelling around to get what you need. I don't think the last chapter was needed and wish I could have stopped before the end :)
April 4, 2012
I enjoyed this book and even found myself imagining how life would be if I were in the protagonist's position. I don't think I would have been nearly as resourceful.
The digital formatting was crude, and the book needed editing (not to mention proof reading), but I was able to look past that and enjoy the story for what it was.
The digital formatting was crude, and the book needed editing (not to mention proof reading), but I was able to look past that and enjoy the story for what it was.
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April 6, 2012Well I liked this however implusable it may be....
Now on to the Spoilers
1) how the heck do you have the gohnes to go into a Police Station/Sherriffs Office only hours after YOU THINK something has happened???
2) How do you not get infections after being bitten by 1) Rats 2) Bear??????
3) How old was Jason?????
4) WHF ending??
Now on to the Spoilers
1) how the heck do you have the gohnes to go into a Police Station/Sherriffs Office only hours after YOU THINK something has happened???
2) How do you not get infections after being bitten by 1) Rats 2) Bear??????
3) How old was Jason?????
4) WHF ending??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2012
This was an interesting read and I did enjoy it, but as others have reviewed, i felt like it was missing something. Someone described it as mechanical, which I think is a good description. I guess I was hoping that the end would bring something profound. Instead it ended almost abruptly and, for me, with too many unanswered questions.
January 2, 2014
I may have liked this book as much as I did because I hadn't actually read in quite awhile. Sure there where editing mistakes and a spelling errors but it was a fun read. I would have probably died long before the character.
April 23, 2012
This was a freebie with my Amazon Prime account. The book is about a man who awakes one day and realizes he is the last human on earth. The book goes on to describe how he and his dog live. It was interesting to see his ingenuity. It's worth a read, nice and quick.
August 26, 2012
This was a good read. I don't feel as if I lost a bit of my life after reading this like some books. This is Not horror, but more of a drama. I would have given it more stars except I need a little more action in my books.
April 23, 2013
Not really sure what the book was trying to tell us, there was no real emotion, and it just left me with too many questions....what was the point of the story if you don't find out what happened? The epilogue was not needed 'cause it didn't enlighten you in any way.... I just don't get it..
August 20, 2013
I read a book for enjoyment and don't take an author to task because of bad grammar, sentence structure, etc. I'm not sure I could write a book and have it 'perfect.'
That being said, I liked the character, the problems, and even the impossible scenario. It was an entertaining book and a fast read.
That being said, I liked the character, the problems, and even the impossible scenario. It was an entertaining book and a fast read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews