Slow moving at first, the book focuses on Robert’s every day plight for survival. The hum drum routine of foraging for food and supplies, to the horrific night time isolation when the vampires come calling for him.

But it soon becomes evident when the horror of the vampires has passed, it is the loneliness, lack of focus, routine and looking forward into a future of nothingness that terrifies Robert more.

We watch Robert crash between alcoholism and insanity through frenzied internal dialogues as life begins to no longer hold any meaning to him. Yet, a survivor to the core it is not in him to end his existence. But, when life no longer holds any meaning, how do you go on?

The writing is extremely intelligent, the prose detailed and poignantly descriptive. The narrative rises and falls in unnerving crescendos, propelling the reader through Robert’s desperate highs and lows.

The ending was a surprise and eminently unpredictable and oh so very clever at the same time. It might sound like a cliche, but this is a book that will keep you thinking well after you have turned the final page.

Robertson Dean is a great narrator of this audiobook, there’s something quite old school about his style, which accompanies the story perfectly. He builds the sense of tension and desolation with his voice making this a great audiobook adaptation.