"The world after the end of the world" offers you, my dear aspiring readers, two wonderful possibilities: either it conquers you, drives you crazy, grabs you, and doesn't let go, or it irritates you, frustrates you, and forces you to give up after just a dozen pages. Aut-aut, my dear ones, either one or the other, no middle ground.

Mr. Harkaway, the fourth child of John le Carré, has produced a complex book, there’s no denying it. Is it a novel? Perhaps. A thriller? Also. A horror? Could be. As far as I'm concerned, a masterpiece. One thing is certain: "The world after the end of the world" is totally and irredeemably insane. The story is insane. The style is insane. Even the cover (the one from the Italian edition) is insane, applause to Mark Brown. And the characters? They're insane too, no, more so: Absurd.

But really, what on earth is this work? A mishmash of different genres, a mosaic of images and sound effects, a kaleidoscope made of martial arts, mutants, nuclear weapons, mimes, politics, ninja, and a sprinkle of sex. The plot? A mess. So, there's a nameless guy and his best friend, Gonzo Lubitsch, who find themselves holding the fate of the little remaining human population after the Apocalypse and... Listen, let's forget it, do as you please.

In short, this "The Gone-Away World" (with the original title, it sounds way cooler) turned out to be a delightful and engaging surprise, heartfelt thanks to my parents who gave it to me. A single recommendation, in case you decide to start it: pay it the utmost attention, don't miss a word, otherwise, you’ll end up not understanding a thing.

And don't say I didn't warn you.

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