The World as We Know It

Krusie’s debut novel delves into a philosophy of the apocalypse, focusing on one man’s journey to decipher the great mysteries of life. Before the collapse of the world financial markets, Joe was a man who seemed to have it all—a high-paying job, a loving wife, the right car, a big house. When the collapse comes, he’s left with little more than his wife, friends, and shelter on a friend’s farm. Lacking insight about his place in this new world, Joe sets out on a nationwide tour on horseback with the intent of helping set up a new postal system. His search for answers takes him through the best of humanity and the worst of his own stupidity. Though it has an intriguing premise, the narrative is very light on traditional ideas of faith and focuses more on idealized notions of what life is like without common institutions. Heavy-handed sections often overwhelm the topical plot, making for typical bluster about the end of days where whispers among wayward survivors would have done just fine. (BookLife)