HomeFantasyThe Gone-Away World

Cover of The Gone-Away World

Fantasy · 1998 · PG-13

The Gone-Away World

by Nick Harkaway

A post-apocalyptic world where reality has partially dissolved — and two friends fighting the chaos

For14+GenreFantasyLength533 pagesRead time~13.5 hours

This analysis was generated by AI from publicly available reader reviews, literary criticism, and book discussions. It has not been verified by a BookLens community reviewer and may contain errors. Be the first to verify →

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What's in this book, at a glance — five things readers want to know before they start.

Violence

A lot

Significant action violence throughout and some graphic content in the post-apocalyptic setting

Language

A lot

Strong language in Harkaway's exuberant literary SF register

Sexual Content

Some

Adult content including some romantic material

Substance Use

Some

Drinking and some substance use in the post-apocalyptic world

Emotional Intensity

Some

Moderate psychological intensity; the novel's philosophical dimensions and its character dynamics create sustained engagement

What this book is about

Nick Harkaway's debut novel is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a weapon called the Go-Away bomb has dissolved physical reality in large areas, creating zones inhabited by materialized fears and memories. The narrator and his best friend Gonzo take on a mission through this strange world. Harkaway writes maximalist literary SF with tremendous wit and genuine philosophical depth; the novel requires patience but rewards it. Adult content including significant violence and language throughout.

Notes for sensitive readers

Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.

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