THE LAST BOOK IN THE UNIVERSE by Rodman Philbrick

It's the story of an epileptic teenager nicknamed Spaz, who begins the heroic fight to bring human intelligence back to the planet. In a world where most people are plugged into brain-drain entertainment systems, Spaz is the rare human being who can see life as it really is. When he meets an old man called Ryter, he begins to learn about Earth and its past. With Ryter as his companion, Spaz sets off an unlikely quest to save his dying sister -- and in the process, perhaps the world.


Apocalyptic story about life after the Big Shake. The majority of the population live in awful conditions--no running water, no food, no peace--while a small portion live in "Eden."
The main character, Spaz, is epileptic, which is a pretty big weakness, dontchya think?
He is on a quest, which crosses many battle lines, to help someone. He travels with an old man and a young boy. Quite the group. They meet several engrossing characters along the way.
I liked the story. The possibility of good and happiness. And writing your own story.

PG 13:
V: Post apocalyptic fighting
L: Slang
S: No



Page 69 test:

"...light hits it the wreckage glitters like diamonds, but Ryter says that's only chunks of broken glass, and that many a man has diedlooking for treaue that doesn't exist.

"The only real tresure is inside your head," he says, tapping the side of his skull. "Memories are better than diamonds, and nobody can steal them from you."

Staring up at the scrapers makes me feel extra small. "Why did they buld them so high?" I ask him.

"Because they could, I guess."

"But weren't they afraid of earthquakes?"

"Not afraid enough," he says. "I don't suppose nybody really nows how bad a thing can be until it actually happens."

The sun is barely visible through the smog, but Ryter sys if we keep it over our left shoulders and walk straight ahead, we'll get where we're going, no problem. We trudge along for a couple of hous and in all that time we don't see another living thing. No weeds, no insets, nothing Just ruins melting into dead sand, Not even the rats are dumb enough to live this close to the Edge, which is fine with me.

We seem to be alone, but I keep getting this creepy feeling that something is watching us. aybe the scrapers themselves. I don't know if the old buildings..."