What happens when resources become scarce and society starts to crumble?
As the competition for resources pulls America's previously stable
society apart, the New Normal is a Soft Apocalypse. This is how our
world ends; with a whimper instead of a bang. New social structures and
tribal connections spring up across America, as the previous social
structures begin to dissolve.
Locus Award finalist and John W. Campbell Memorial Award finalist Soft
Apocalypse follows the journey across the Southeast of a tribe of
formerly middle class Americans as they struggle to find a place for
themselves and their children in a new, dangerous world that still
carries the ghostly echoes of their previous lives.
It's so hard to believe, Colin said as we crossed the steaming, empty
parking lot toward the bowling alley.
What?
That we're poor. That we're homeless.
I know.
I mean, we have college degrees, he said.
I know, I said.
There was an ancient miniature golf course choked in weeds alongside the
bowling alley. The astroturf had completely rotted away in places. The
windmill had one spoke. We looked it over for a minute (both of us had
once been avid mini golfers), then continued toward the door.
By the way, I added. We're not homeless, we're nomads. Keep your labels
straight.
