The Deluge

Holly says: Climate fiction ranges from the subtly hopeful to the deeply apocalyptic, and Markley’s novel definitely falls on the more depressing end of that spectrum. A slow moving tale of collapse, resistance, and the structures of power and control that shape our modern world, it follows a handful of characters across decades as they strive to adapt to and fight back against a changing world. I read this in late 2024, and was shocked by the parallels of one particular scene and the January 2025 fires that ravaged Los Angeles. This could have used a bit more editing in a few spots, but ultimately I found it a satisfying and thought provoking read. Content warnings apply.