The Ultimate Guide to Must-Read Post-Apocalyptic Books for Die-Hard Last of Us Fans

Summary

The Last of Us, a hit HBO show, has inspired fans to explore post-apocalyptic books like The Stand and World War Z.

Feed offers fans of Last of Us an engaging zombie apocalypse narrative intertwined with political intrigue and insightful commentary. Meanwhile, Manhunt and City of Thieves present fresh perspectives on the zombie genre, delving into thought-provoking themes that will captivate Last of Us enthusiasts.

With The Last of Us gaining immense popularity on HBO and amassing a large fan base, viewers eagerly awaiting the release of The Last of Us season 2 can explore some of the finest post-apocalyptic books to satisfy their cravings. Inspired by the emotionally captivating 2013 Naughty Dog video game of the same title, The Last of Us is set in a post-apocalyptic America, where society has crumbled due to the deadly Cordyceps virus, transforming infected individuals into zombie-like beings. The series was co-created by Craig Mazin, the mastermind behind Chernobyl, and Neil Druckmann, the visionary behind the original game.

The narrative primarily revolves around Joel (played by Pedro Pascal), a smuggler tasked with safeguarding a young girl named Ellie (portrayed by Bella Ramsey), and escorting her across the nation to deliver her to a group known as the Fireflies. Ellie holds the key to potentially finding a cure for the fungal virus. The Last of Us has garnered acclaim not only for introducing the game's gripping storyline to a new audience but also for establishing that well-executed video game adaptations can be exceptional. Additionally, fans of The Last of Us' characters and storyline can find delight in exploring the realm of the best post-apocalyptic books.

The Stand By Stephen King (1978)

Feed By Mira Grant (2010)

is a post-apocalyptic dark fantasy novel by Stephen King that is widely considered one of his best works. Set in a world devastated by a deadly influenza pandemic, the story revolves around two factions of survivors who engage in a brutal war for control. With only 0.6% of the population immune to the virus, the novel explores the lengths people will go to in order to stay alive and the collapse of society that follows. Although The Stand is more fantastical than The Last of Us, fans of the HBO series will still find plenty to appreciate in this gripping tale of survival and human nature.

Penned by Mira Grant (the pseudonym of Seanan McGuire), Feed tells the tale in the aftermath of a zombie outbreak. Its narrative revolves around Georgia Mason, a blogger journalist, and her brother Shaun, as they embark on an investigation aiming to uncover the hidden connection between the presidential campaign of Republican senator Peter Ryman and the undead. Just like The Last of Us, Feed presents a gripping narrative about two individuals striving to survive a zombie apocalypse. However, it distinguishes itself with its infusion of political intrigue and insightful commentary, making it an ideal choice for fans of The Last of Us seeking a comparable yet politically nuanced experience.

Zone One By Colson Whitehead (2011)

World War Z By Max Brooks (2006)

Colson Whitehead's novel Zone One transports readers to the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse. Set amidst the remnants of a world grappling to reestablish its former glory, the story revolves around Mark Spitz and his team of "sweepers" tasked with vanquishing the remaining undead in Manhattan. As Spitz embarks on this vital mission, he is haunted by vivid flashbacks that vividly depict his harrowing struggle for survival during the peak of the apocalypse. Devotees of The Last of Us will find immense satisfaction in Whitehead's masterfully crafted narrative, particularly due to the striking parallels between the resilience displayed by Mark Spitz and his counterpart Joel, both of whom were profoundly affected by the outbreak and pushed to extraordinary lengths to stay alive.

World War Z, the renowned zombie novel penned by Max Brooks, delves into a multitude of firsthand accounts detailing the various reactions and survival strategies adopted by individuals in the face of the zombie apocalypse. Moreover, the book delves into expert analysis, shedding light on the far-reaching impacts of the outbreak in domains such as politics, religion, economy, and environment. Unlike The Last of Us, World War Z may not revolve around character development, but it masterfully presents a raw and authentic depiction of a zombie-infested world, which ardent fans of the genre can truly appreciate, particularly because it skillfully circumvents the numerous issues that plagued its movie adaptation.

Manhunt By Gretchen Felker-Martin (2022)

What Moves the Dead By T. Kingfisher (2012)

: In Gretchen Felker-Martin's Manhunt, readers are introduced to Beth and Fran, two transgender women navigating a post-apocalyptic New England where a deadly virus has transformed men into savage, zombie-like creatures. This gripping novel offers a refreshing take on the zombie genre that will appeal to fans of The Last of Us. However, what sets Manhunt apart is its profound exploration of complex themes such as morality, gender-critical feminism, and the essence of womanhood. The depth with which these themes are explored is reminiscent of the thought-provoking nature of The Last of Us, making Manhunt a compelling read for fans of the show.

T. Kingfisher's novel offers a fresh perspective on Edgar Allen Poe's classic tale, The Fall of the House of Usher. The protagonist, Alex Easton, a retired soldier, pays a visit to his childhood friend who is plagued by a perplexing ailment. Upon arriving at the countryside residence, he discovers an eerie abundance of grotesque fungi that have taken over every nook and cranny, and have seemingly taken control of the surrounding animals too. Fans of The Last of Us will find great delight in this book, reminiscent of the game, as it vividly portrays a terrifying scenario where fungal infestation transforms innocent creatures into savage, insatiable monsters.

City of Thieves By David Benioff (2008)

Station Eleven By Emily St. John Mandel (2014)

- City of Thieves, written by Game of Thrones co-showrunner David Benioff, takes place during the siege of Leningrad in World War II. The story follows two young Russian men, Lev and Kolya, who embark on a dangerous mission to deliver a dozen eggs to a Soviet NKVD officer behind enemy lines. This gripping narrative heavily influenced The Last of Us game's storyline, as revealed by Neil Druckmann, and readers will easily draw parallels between the journeys of Lev and Kolya, and Joel and Ellie in both the game and the show.

Emily St. John Mandel's Station Eleven tells the story of the Travelling Symphony, a group of musicians, actors, and artists who navigate a post-apocalyptic America devastated by the "Georgia Flu", a deadly strain of swine flu. Although the book lacks any presence of zombies, it shares significant similarities with The Last of Us, as both narratives depict a collapsed society due to an incurable epidemic and delve into the transformation of individuals during crises. Station Eleven also received an HBO TV adaptation and similarly to The Last of Us, the exceptional cast enhances the quality of the material.

The Road By Cormac McCarthy (2006)

The Road, by renowned author Cormac McCarthy, is a gripping novel that chronicles the harrowing journey of an unnamed father and his young son as they traverse a desolate, post-apocalyptic America. This devastated landscape, ravaged by an unspecified catastrophe that erased civilization and decimated life, is covered in ashes. Fans of the show The Last of Us will find striking parallels between the two narratives, such as the father-child duo's quest amidst the post-apocalypse, the pervasive atmosphere of utter despair, and the shocking deterioration of humanity, where individuals in the book have succumbed to either violent marauding or cannibalism.