I think we're at the point where US writers are just having a lacklustre wank and idly fantasising about the end of the world. Leave The World Behind sets itself up for some interpersonal drama mixed with race and class politics but then doesn't do much with it. It's mundane, what appears to be a deliberate choice, and with the barest of efforts concludes that society is a myth and having faith in institutions is naïve. So you better go fend for yourselves, kiddies.

I suppose in this sense this book is very much of its time, at least if you're from the US. So bored with being "the leader of the free world" or whatever nonsense and can't be stuffed trying anymore. May as well participate in (and let's be real, cause) an apocalyptic war?

Time to avoid US authors and eschatological themes for a while I reckon!