Seems Pretty Real: An Examination of 9/11’s Impact on the American Post-Apocalyptic Novel

Abstract

The September 11th, 2001, terror attacks delivered a shock to the American identity that began manifesting itself in early 21st century post-apocalyptic novels. Unlike similar works written by American authors in the post-World War II years, recent novels reflect a particularly more fragile depiction of American government, American society, and the American psyche in general. As 9/11 was followed by successive catastrophes – hurricanes, recessions, and pandemics – the impact from the World Trade Center attack’s imagery and resultant responses has influenced the popular tastes of the contemporary American audience. The spike in interest for apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic art and media has never been higher. As such, the lasting effect of 9/11’s fallout has been a changing American outlook where one can easily imagine what life in America might look like if or when America comes to an end.