I'm looking for a particular post apocalyptic book

[left-of-center2012]

First, it’s not “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy, which I really enjoyed.

I read about this particular book I seek some years ago.
As I recall it, the story takes place in southern California immediately after some apocalyptic event.

A man (father, husband?) begins a journey home on foot (to Los Angeles?) and the book is about his trip home.

Any idea on what book/author this may be?

Thanks

[PoiBoy]

1. Lucifer's Hammer is my all time favorite...

..of the genre.. I read and re-read that book so many times it literally fell apart in my hands...

Not sure if it's the one you're thinking of, but it's one I would highly recommend.

[left-of-center2012]

3. No

Not the one I'm looking for.

It involves a man,
walking home.

[SCantiGOP]

2. Davy by Edgar Panghorn

Mid 60s novel, but set in Northeast US. It takes place several centuries after a devastating nuclear war. Society is like medieval Europe with a religious order to suppress any technology that might contain “atoms” since that brought about the downfall
And I will second the endorsement for Lucifer’s Hammer. I think it would be relevant today.

[left-of-center2012]

4. No

The one I am looking for is set in southern CA
and occurs immediately after the event.

[SCantiGOP]

6. One thing about Lucifer's Hammer

I think everyone here would consider it quite right-wing. It is basically a conflict between technology and authoritarianism.
The writer was a major influence on Reagan’s SDI and a long-time associate of Newt Gingrich.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

10. Lucifer's Hammer really is right-wing.

There's a degree of racism in it that is truly horrifying.

[SCantiGOP]

13. More libertarian than conservative

But you are right about the racism.
If Trump could read I bet he would love the philosophy behind the story.

[MicaelS]

17. Still a great read, IMO.

As were the other Niven / Pournelle collaborations. I can let the politics slide, since they were a product of Pournelle. Niven was more Liberal. The Mote in God's Eye is the greatest First Contact story I have ever read. The Moties were truly alien.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

18. The first time I read

The Mote in God's Eye I likewise thought it very original, and the Moties truly alien. On a reread, it seemed as if they were modelled very much on Japanese samurai culture.

Nonetheless, it's a good read and I'd recommend it to anyone.

[dhill926]

5. California by Edan Lepucki?

[left-of-center2012]

8. Sounds interesting - I'll check it out

But not the book I'm looking for about one man walking home.

[Aimee in OKC]

7. Maybe a list will jog the memory . . .

Good luck!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalyptic_and_post-apocalyptic_fiction

[left-of-center2012]

9. Thanks

Bookmarked it

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

11. I don't think this is what you're looking for,

but Summer of the Apocalypse by James van Pelt is almost that, except it takes place in Colorado, not California.

This description is taken from Amazon:

When a plague wipes out most of humanity, fifteen-year-old Eric sets out to find his father. Sixty years later, Eric starts another long journey in an America that has long since quit resembling our own, but there are shadows everywhere. Shadows of what the world once was, and shadows from Eric's past. Blood bandits, wolves, fire, feral children, and an insane militia are only a few of the problems Eric faces.

The stories of the two journeys, separated by more than half a century, is very well told.

His YA novel Pandora's Gun is excellent, and I understand he's planning a sequel.

Van Pelt mostly writes short stories and so far has five collections out there. I like what he writes. Here's a link to the online publication of one of my favorites. http://www.flashfictiononline.com/f20080301-just-before-recess-jim-van-pelt.html

He's also a really nice guy. I've met him at some science fiction things I go to.

[dgauss]

12. Possibly "The Walk" by Lee Goldberg?

https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Lee-Goldberg/dp/1453728988/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1526841172&sr=1-9&keywords=the+walk

[left-of-center2012]

14. Yes, thanks

That's it.
Much appreciated.

[JustThinking...]

16. ok that was very cool.

[Iggo]

15. I love these threads.