60 pages • 2 hours read •
Z For Zachariah
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Book Brief
240
Novel • Fiction
Isolated Valley • Post-apocalyptic
1974
YA
12-18 years
820L
Super Short Summary
Z For Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien is set in a post-nuclear war landscape where a teenage girl named Ann Burden, living on her family’s farm, believes she is the last person alive. Her world changes when a man named John Loomis, wearing a protective suit, arrives, leading to complex survival dynamics. Topics of violence and mental distress are present in the narrative.
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Dark
Contemplative
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
17,531 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Z For Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien is lauded for its gripping post-apocalyptic narrative and strong character development. Reviewers appreciate the book’s tense atmosphere and moral dilemmas. However, some critics feel the plot pacing lags in places. Overall, it remains a compelling read, particularly for young adults interested in survival themes.
Who Should Read Z For Zachariah?
A reader who enjoys Z For Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien is likely captivated by post-apocalyptic survival stories with strong, resourceful protagonists. Fans of The Road by Cormac McCarthy or Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer will find its blend of tension, solitude, and humanity equally compelling.
17,531 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Z For Zachariah was published posthumously in 1974, as author Robert C. O'Brien passed away while still working on the novel; his wife and daughter helped complete it.
The title Z For Zachariah is significant for its alphabetical irony, as it refers to being the last name in a classroom Bible book that represents the last surviving person after an apocalyptic event.
The novel received a Newbery Honor in 1976, which is an award presented annually by the American Library Association for distinguished contributions to American children's literature.
Z For Zachariah was published posthumously in 1974, as author Robert C. O'Brien passed away while still working on the novel; his wife and daughter helped complete it.
The title Z For Zachariah is significant for its alphabetical irony, as it refers to being the last name in a classroom Bible book that represents the last surviving person after an apocalyptic event.
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The novel received a Newbery Honor in 1976, which is an award presented annually by the American Library Association for distinguished contributions to American children's literature.
Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!
240
Novel • Fiction
Isolated Valley • Post-apocalyptic
1974
YA
12-18 years
820L
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