Richard Jefferies' "After London, or, Wild England" paints a vivid and thought-provoking picture of a post-apocalyptic Britain. The novel imagines a future where civilization has collapsed, leaving London as a vast, poisonous swamp and the countryside reverting to wild, untamed wilderness. Society has fragmented into tribal groups, living a primitive existence amidst the overgrown ruins of the past.
The story follows Felix Aquila, a young man who ventures from his secluded rural home into this perilous new world. Jefferies explores themes of nature reclaiming the land, the fragility of human progress, and the enduring human spirit in the face of desolation. It's a striking early example of dystopian fiction, blending adventure with profound social commentary and a deep appreciation for the raw, untamed power of the natural world.