The novel Five Years After by William R. Forstchen is a continuation of the EMP series which commenced with One Second After. The novel details the adventures of the main character, John Matherson. This is a very quick read of only 339 pages. Though the novel takes place five years after the original events, in reality it's been over 14 years since Forstchen started the series, and this is the fourth novel in the group.
Forstchen does a good job of describing life in a nation that has been retrogressed 150 years. Folks are frequently hungry, and their little community is hanging by a thread. The U.S. is a shadow of its prior self, though remnants of the government try to exist. The novel does give American citizens some hope, but not much. For those still living after the EMP strike, life is hard, and there's a need to get joy out of simple pleasures. Matherson continues to mature as a leader, though he retains some insecurities.
Forstchen's novel makes you think and ponder. For example, Friedrich Nietzsche figures somewhat in the novel, and as a result I had to search my bookshelves to refresh my memory, as it's been at least 30 years since I've read any of his works. Forstchen elaborates on some urban myths, which may or may not have a basis in reality, but they are useful plot devices. The pace of the novel is very fast.
Five Years After is a good read, and I do recommend it. It's really not a stand alone novel, as readers need to get the backstory from the prior novels. Forstchen has left an opening for further novels, if he so desires, but the series could realistically end with this novel. Let's hope the U.S. mitigates the possibility of an EMP strike, but the best plan is to prepare yourself for the worst possible scenario. After all, is the U.S. government concerned about the best interests of its citizens, or are they more concerned about keeping power?
