Engine Summer
Engine Summer
Book Brief
Beta209
Novel • Fiction
Post-apocalyptic world
1980
Adult
16+ years
Super Short Summary
Engine Summer by John Crowley follows a young protagonist, Rush, on a personal journey through a post-apocalyptic world. He seeks truth and understanding about his society's history and his own identity, exploring themes of memory, culture, and transformation within a community transitioning through time.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Serene
Reviews & Readership
2,234 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Engine Summer by John Crowley is often praised for its lyrical prose and intricate world-building, immersing readers in its post-apocalyptic setting. Many commend its philosophical depth and complex narrative style. However, some find the pacing slow and the plot difficult to follow. Overall, it is celebrated for its imaginative and thought-provoking storytelling.
Who Should Read Engine Summer?
Fans of contemplative, philosophical fantasy intertwined with intricate world-building, seen in works like Le Guin's The Dispossessed or Wolfe's The Book of the New Sun, will relish Crowley's Engine Summer, appreciating its exploration of memory, identity, and society in a richly imagined post-apocalyptic setting.
2,234 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Engine Summer is often praised for its intricate world-building, and was named by critic Harold Bloom as part of his Western Canon—a selection of significant works in literature.
The novel was first published in 1979 and is considered part of John Crowley's "Transcendental Trilogy," though the connection to the other two books in the series (The Deep and Beasts) lies more in thematic exploration than direct plot continuation.
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Engine Summer employs a unique narrative style, with the protagonist telling their story in retrospect, which allows for an exploration of memory and subjective truth in the storytelling process.
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209
Novel • Fiction
Post-apocalyptic world
1980
Adult
16+ years
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