Thomcat
11/19/2017
Very quick read, apocalypse in three steps. Good story, well written, but female characters depressingly weak. Strongly reminds me of The Death of Grass by John Christopher (also 4 star, also a quick read). Won the Hugo, the Locus, and is on a dozen "best SF" lists; I read it for a 70s Science Fiction challenge.
Told in three parts, each following a generation of a family perfectly placed to deal with the collapse of society. In the first part, resources are gathered and a hospital built before a plague heralds societal collapse. The second looks at the clones, created because biological reproduction has failed. The third part is the story of individuality rising again.
I enjoyed both the adventure aspects and the future planning (and inevitable breakdown). The same events after today's society would be even tougher to survive - paper is of great use to these people. Something about clone consciousness and communication was somewhat concealed in the story, told mostly through the eyes of individuals.
Looking at Kate Wilhelm's large bibliography, I think this is the first novel I have read. Doubtless I have encountered one or more of her short stories. I plan to read more from this author of science fiction, fantasy, mysteries and radio plays.