Postscript

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Author(s)

Cory McCarthy

Publisher

Dutton Books for Young Readers

Genre(s)

Age Range

14+

Release Date

February 17, 2026

ISBN

978-0593618240

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From Stonewall Honoree Cory McCarthy, joyful, affectionate, read-in-one-sitting novel about letting go of the things we can’t change and holding on to the passion of our instincts.

On the far side of a swift and unknowable apocalypse, a few sapiens are surviving off the last scraps of humanity. No longer recognizable as Cape Cod, the dunes of their archipelago are empty apart from regrets and ruins—until West blows in like a storm.

West is a prophet of instinct, the last amateur anthropologist, ever aware of being present in life. He can’t help but move through Ani’s rage, Karen’s anxiety, and Emil’s immense longing with curiosity and care. West’s unbridled love and grief challenge the survivors to defy extinction with the most beautifully human thing imaginable: a family.

He may even impress Death.

★ “Simultaneously tragic, existentially terrifying, heartwarming, and sensual."—Kirkus, starred review

Editor review

1 review

Heavy Story About Surviving in the Time "After"

February 26, 2026 (Updated: July 18, 2026)

Overall rating

4.0

Plot

4.0

Characters

5.0

Writing Style

3.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

POSTSCRIPT is a young adult novel about “after,” about surviving even when life is no longer recognizable to what it had been before. The book takes place Post, the time after the apocalypse, and mainly follows West as he meets other survivors.

West is an intriguing character to follow. Many of the chapters are from his point of view and it shows. There’s a vibrancy and life to his thoughts that isn’t present in the other characters. West is changed by the apocalypse, but he isn’t beaten down by it. His enthusiasm and outlook contrast so heavily with the other characters and it truly makes the book shine.

The flow of this novel is a unique one and may take some getting used to for readers. It flows a bit like the sea, smooth sometimes but rough others. It matches the theme and vibes of the book very well and it allows problems and fights to ebb and flow smoothly.

The writing style is much the same. Some readers will adore it, others may not. It’s particular, jumping from one character’s head to another or one time period to another rapidly. The timeline can become jumbled, the characters’ hard to understand. But in a setting like Post, nothing is like what it used to be.

POSTSCRIPT and its author discuss heavy topics with a grace not formed from beauty but from revealing harsh truths. Through the novel the characters experience or discuss topics like grief and loss, homophobia and transphobia, survival, family. Even with some of the conversation being blunt and stereotypical at times, most of it works well within the setting. People besieged by grief and anxiety don’t care to mince words, so the author didn’t either.

The block-print art illustrations are beautiful and they work almost as scene dividers. Whenever one appears, it feels like the end of one section and the beginning of another. They add to the overall feel of the story, but aren’t present enough to overshadow the story.

The age rating for this book is 14-17 and I think that fits for the most part. It does depend on the reader. This book tackles very heavy topics from politics to loss and more, so it may not work for every reader.

Cory McCarthy weaves together a slow tale that speaks of grief and loss but also of romance and hope. Full of memorable characters and a plot that moves like the ocean, POSTSCRIPT is a short but intense novel about survival.

Evren Dodd, Staff Reviewer Top 50 Reviewer 143 reviews

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User reviews

1 review

Overall rating

3.7

Plot

4.0(1)

Characters

5.0(1)

Writing Style

2.0(1)

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A(0)

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A Quietly Powerful and Unusual Apocalypse Story

April 23, 2026 (Updated: July 18, 2026)

Overall rating

3.7

Plot

4.0

Characters

5.0

Writing Style

2.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

I found this book to be one of those reads that feels more like an experience than a typical story. It is set after the world has already ended, but instead of focusing on survival in a physical sense, it focuses more on emotions, connection, and what it means to keep going when everything familiar is gone.

West really stood out to me as a main character. He brings this sense of warmth and curiosity that feels almost out of place in such a bleak setting, but in a good way. While others around him are dealing with heavy emotions in different ways, he approaches people with openness and care, which slowly starts to shift the group dynamic. Watching those relationships develop was one of the most interesting parts of the book.

The structure of the story is not straightforward, which I think will either work for you or not. I found myself a little disoriented at times, but I also think that was intentional. The way the story moves mirrors the uncertainty of the world the characters are living in. It is less about a clear plot and more about moments, feelings, and interactions.

There are a lot of serious themes throughout the book, including loss, identity, and the idea of chosen family. It does not hold back when it comes to difficult topics, but it also balances that with moments that feel surprisingly gentle or even hopeful. That contrast is what made it stick with me.

I also thought the visual elements were a nice touch. The artwork adds to the tone of the story and gives you a moment to pause before moving forward, which fits the pacing really well.

This was a book club read for me, and it ended up being a great discussion book. Everyone had slightly different interpretations, especially about the writing style and the characters, which made it way more interesting to talk about after finishing.

Overall, I found Postscript to be a thoughtful and unique read. It is not the most straightforward book, but if you like stories that focus on emotion and meaning rather than just plot, it is definitely worth trying.

Good Points

Unique and emotionally driven storytelling

Strong focus on relationships and found family

Thought-provoking themes that spark good discussion