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The Witch of Hebron: A World Made by Hand Novel Audiobook
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(3.02) - 887 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In the sequel to his bestselling World Made by Hand, James Howard Kunstler expands on his vision of a post-oil society with this novel about an America in which the electricity has flickered off, the Internet is a distant memory, and the government is little more than a rumor. In the tiny hamlet of Union Grove, New York, travel is horse-drawn and farming is back at the center of life. But it’s no pastoral haven. Wars are fought over dwindling resources and illness is a constant presence. Bandits roam the countryside, preying on the weak, and a sinister cult threatens to shatter Union Grove’s fragile stability. Here is a novel that seamlessly weaves hot-button issues like the decline of oil and the perils of climate change into a compelling narrative of violence, religious hysteria, innocence lost, and love found—a cautionary tale with an optimistic heart.
Already a renowned social commentator and a bestselling author, Kunstler has recently attained even greater prominence in the global conversation about energy and the environment. In the last two years he has been the focus of a long profile in the New Yorker, the subject of a full-page essay in the New York Times Book Review, and his wildly popular blog and podcast have made him a sought-after speaker who gives dozens of lectures and scores of media interviews each year.
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"This was an interesting post modern world book, similar to Alas Babylon, which is one of my favorites. In this book, it has been some years since the occurrence that sets the world back, and you can see the different ways of coping. "
— Susan (4 out of 5 stars)
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“By the middle of the book you are immersed in a richly imagined ‘world made by hand,’ eagerly devouring every page...[Kunstler] has woven his nightmares into a vision or America after a complete economic, political, and cultural collapse.”
— New York Review of Books -
“In the sequel to his bestselling World Made by Hand, Kunstler delivers another grim and suspenseful novel set in a post-oil world without electricity, Internet, or national order…Kunstler’s postapocalyptic world is neither a merciless nightmare nor a starry-eyed return to some pastoral faux utopia; it’s a hard existence dotted with adventure, revenge, mysticism, and those same human emotions that existed before the power went out.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Jim Meskimen has all his talents on full display as he brings this thought-provoking story to life. Meskimen distinctly portrays the many characters in this postapocalyptic story, especially hitting the mark with the singing bandit and murderer ‘Billy Bones.’ A fascinating listen.”
— AudioFile -
“[A] suspenseful, darkly amusing story with touches of the fantastic in the mode of Washington Irving.”
— Booklist
Awards
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Selected for the September 2010 Indie Next List
The Witch of Hebron Listener Reviews
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" It was interesting if you like post-apocalyptic novels. I do, so I enjoyed it. "
— Mary, 2/19/2014 -
" This is a good follow-up to "A World Made by Hand". My only complaint is that the women characters in the book are either mothers, witches, or whores. "
— Heather, 2/16/2014 -
" A good sequel to a good book. "
— Jackie, 1/1/2014 -
" It is a very valid description of life after the collapse of the modern world enveloped in a novel. Sometimes the fictional aspect is too thin a veil for very specific details about Kunstler's view of life after electricity and grocery stores-which seems to boil down to hard work and corn bread, lots of cornbread. Not entirely post-apocalyptic, Kunstler's world broke down more slowly, with our current world simply moving on to his logical conclusion. It is not a book that uses instantaneous catastrophe along the lines of " I woke up to zombies in my yard" or the strike of an EMP. For this fact I think this book is a whole lot scarier. "
— Alex, 12/11/2013 -
" Tired of post-apocalyptic novels where magic rises up to fix things for people. "
— Matriarchy, 11/27/2013 -
" I had the same feeling after finishing this book that I did his last. Befuddlement. I'm not sure which story he's trying to tell. Once again, the introduction of the "Queen" adds nothing to the story and fragments the already fragmented plotline. I love his idea of a post-post-apocalyptic world, but I'm dissatisfied with his story. "
— Kathleen, 11/7/2013 -
" A few scenes I didn't love, and at times I couldn't help feeling that the writer was a man close to the 'mid-life crisis' stage...but overall it was a good story, and I loved how he described my home turf in upstate NY post-apocalypse. "
— Grier, 10/14/2013 -
" Now waiting patiently for the third. "
— Daniela, 10/13/2013 -
" Just picked it up from the library and have it and a few other awesome books to read. 'Think I'll take the week off to stay home and read, that should be okay, right? "
— E.m., 10/13/2013 -
" Not bad ... altho' no happy ending for Robin. "
— Tom, 10/13/2013 -
" Excellent. Takes you to another place completely. "
— Holly, 10/12/2013 -
" Thought provoking, and needs a spiritual resurrection. Totally in the flesh mentality and the futility thereof. "
— Troy, 9/7/2013 -
" Another high 3. I thought this one might have been slightly stronger than the first. I liked Jasper a lot, and I wanted more from the witch!!! I'll be sticking with this series. "
— Lisa, 5/12/2013 -
" Reading now.. My book club selection this month. Wish I had read the first book as this is the sequel.. may understand it better. "
— Cheryl, 8/30/2012 -
" Sure am glad I didn't spend any money on this. . . "
— Anita, 7/21/2012 -
" Nice quick read. Makes you think about just how you'd survive if that really happened. "
— Ashley, 4/6/2012 -
" The first book of this series was amazing- this was not. "
— Mona, 2/29/2012 -
" While "World Made by Hand" was an interesting read, with valid ideas to consider, Kunstler's new book "The Witch of Hebron" seems to be more of a vehicle for profanity and sexual situations than a plot driven story. It simply sets up a scenario for more books, of which I do not intend to partake. "
— Vicki, 12/23/2011 -
" A light easy read. I can't wait for the sequel. "
— Ike, 5/1/2011 -
" What happens when the oil wells run dry? It's not The Road but it's still pretty bleak picture. This doesn't have the most well-developed story or characters, but a real glimpse into the details of a postapocalyptic world. "
— Rebecca, 4/21/2011 -
" I loved this book. So applicable to today's world. I plan to read everything this author has written. "
— Sandy, 4/11/2011 -
" Dan and I read this together about two years ago, and I've thought about it time and time again. I loved the premise and I think we would do great in a world like that because my husband is so darn handy! "
— Maggie, 4/7/2011 -
" Very interesting concept of life after destruction of the American economy. Life reverts back to the way it was before technology. "
— Suz, 4/2/2011 -
" Great work of fiction...not so far off from the future that could happen...the follow-up isn't quite as good. "
— Matthew, 3/5/2011 -
" An interesting post apocalyptic novel set in washington County NY. "
— Alex, 2/27/2011
About James Howard Kunstler
James Howard Kunstler was born in New York City in 1948. He is the author of several books of fiction and nonfiction, including the bestseller The Long Emergency. After college he worked as a reporter and feature writer for a number of newspapers and finally as a staff writer for Rolling Stone. In 1975 he began writing books and lecturing full time.
About Jim Meskimen
Jim Meskimen is a stage, film, and television actor who has appeared in many well-known movies and television shows. He acted in Apollo 13 and Frost/Nixon for director Ron Howard, both of which were nominated for Best Picture Oscars. His television appearances include The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Friends, Lie to Me, Criminal Minds, and Parks and Recreation. He is also a painter, award-winning audiobook narrator, and audiobook director for Galaxy Audio.