James Howard Kunstler Returns to Village Books

Village Books Literature Live and Transition Whatcom present James Howard Kunstler and his new book, The Witch of Hebron.

Two years ago, renowned social commentator and novelist James Howard Kunstler, author of the bestselling The Long Emergency, imagined a post-oil future in World Made by Hand, which the San Francisco Chronicle called “an impassioned and invigorating tale whose ultimate message is one of hope, not despair.” Here Kunstler expands his vision of an America without oil, as he seamlessly weaves the perils of climate change into a compelling narrative of violence, religious hysteria, innocence lost, and love found.

"His first post-apocalyptic novel, World Made by Hand, was a memorable, deeply touching, nuanced and richly imagined tale that became a bestseller shortly after its release in March 2008. It garnered excitement and praise from the likes of NPR, the New Yorker and Oprah Winfrey's O Magazine, among others. And Grove/Atlantic has now apparently decided to seize the day by allowing Kunstler to parlay this first book into a series. That’s how we’ve come into The Witch of Hebron, a fine sequel to World Made by Hand.

"Both novels take place in an unspecified near future in which the cheap, abundant oil that makes modern life possible is no longer available. Amenities like automobiles, hospitals, electrical appliances and cuisines from around the world simply aren’t a part of people’s lives anymore. Famine and disease have easily halved the population, and for those who remain, farming, religion, barter and trade take center stage. Horses are a necessity for traveling long distances, but few people can afford one in these lean times."
- Frank Kaminsky, The Energy Bulletin
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Read Cascadia Weekly's interview from the last time Kunstler visted, along with an excerpt of The Long Emergency about the Pacific Northwest...and more.