So what I mean by that, is a story where the world is so utterly decimated by whatever may have occurred, that there's no real viable long-term strategy to actually keep any level of society running, and humanity is simply biding their time before extinction occurs.
In Cormac McCarthy's book specifically, the entire story we see not a single living crop or wild animal in sight (with the exception of a dog at the very end) anytime we do it's just bones, or the protagonist remarking that whatever species is most likely extinct.
The two main characters only ever subsist on whatever food stores from before the apocalypse they can find. Everyone else they run into have literally resorted to eating each other. Obviously this would lead to the natural conclusion of the species being utterly doomed. Are there any books with a vibe like this?
by oncxre
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Wolf road novel…forgot the author name
It is a gritty character driven journey across a ruined landscape. More survival thriller than sci-fi..
I would scan some dying earth fiction in addition to the post apocalyptic. Might find a few things
On the Beach by Nevil Shute
The Book of the Unnamed Midwife -Meg Elison
There is no hope in this world just people trying to survivor it’s a really interesting story and there are 2 more from different POV.
Could I toss in some short fiction?
Including anything on this list is pretty much of already a spoiler, but I think the way that they do it, the technical excellence and the writing and characterization as well as the building of a plot, make it worth it!
I consider these shorts–the first three SF horror, the fourth fantasy horror–to be the most devastating, heartrending, bleakest and *original* end-of-the-world stories ever. Get ready to be unsettled for life!😳
Gregory Benford, “A Desperate Calculus,” in *Armageddons*, edited by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois. New York: Ace, 1999. [SF Viral/biohorror]
“A Message to the King of Brobdingnag” by Richard Cowper in *The Tithonian Factor and Other Stories.* London: Gollancz, 1984. [Enviromental SF Horror]
“The Screwfly Solution” by Racoona Sheldon–pen name for Dr. Alice Sheldon, who often wrote under the other pen name of “James Tiptree, Jr.” In *Her Smoke Rose Up Forever.* San Francisco: Tachyon Publications, 2004. [Invasion/viral SF horror]
“After the Last Elf is Dead” by Harry Turtledove, in *Counting Up, Counting Down.* New York: Del Rey Books, 2002. [Fantasy horror, sort of a terrifying take on *Lord of the Rings*]
The Last Policeman series by Ben Winters might do the trick. It’s more there’s no chance of changing the inevitable and society dealing with it in a variety of ways from desperation to just going about your day as usual, rather than Escape From NY.
Seven Eves by Neal Stephenson comes close. There’s a second part that hives hope and feels like a tacked-on happy ending, though.
The 3 Body Problem fits this perfectly. However telling you this is a spoiler. It’s a 3 book series that takes humanity through the most exciting and frightening discovery.
The Earth Abides (1949) is one of my favorites. It delves deeply into what the survival of the human race might realistically look like after an apocalypse that wipes out most of civilization. It’s the kind of book that sticks with you.
There’s a Hulk graphic novel where Bruce Banner is the last person alive because his healing factor makes him immortal.
NK Jemisons Broken Earth series – starts with the Fifth Season. It is not a light read but some of the most real writing I’ve ever seen on trauma and great themes from a ton of social issues – really well done and the entire series won Hugo Awards each year!
I Who Have Never Known Men
“I who have never known men” is exactly that.
The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks Dalton. Perhaps more capitulation than actual hopeless situation. I thought the slow deterioration in the middle section was great, one of the most thoughtful write ups that I’ve seen. I was infuriated by the end, but it may be what you are looking for.
My soul can’t handle another book like that
Some “end of the end” books that come to mind might be: Seveneves, Project Hail Mary, the Infected trilogy (Scott Siegler), Lucifer’s Hammer, and DRYP: The Final Pandemic. It’s hard to find true “end” books, in many of these there’s a buildup to some world shattering cataclysm, yes, and it shows in how drastically the world changes, but in practically every example the story is about actively resisting or rebuilding.
The Brief History of the Dead – a bit different than others in this category but fits your needs. I enjoyed it.
metro (trilogy)
The Girl With All The Gifts which, as a bonus, is beautifully written too!
Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon
the wall – marlen haushofer