Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien

Ann Burden is sixteen and, as far as she knows, the only person left in the world. The nuclear radiation that destroyed the rest of the world has not touched the valley where she lives, and so she has remained, surviving the best she knows how, for the past year. The smoke from a distant campfire shatters Ann’s solitude. Someone else is still alive, and making his way toward the valley: John Loomis, a scientist, protected from the radiation by a “safe-suit”. He asserts his will almost immediately. And as his behavior becomes more and more extreme—finally culminating in violent confrontation—Ann must choose how she will live, in a world unlike any she has known.

This book has been on my “To Read” list for over a year and I was finally able to find a copy on BookMooch. It was definitely worth the points! Robert C. O’Brien’s legendary novel did not disappoint. It was well-written, page-turning, and narrated by a great heroine. I was a bit surprised that the action didn’t start until about ¾ of the way through, but surprisingly the descriptions of how a girl lives all alone in a valley were really interesting and added greatly to the story. The moment John Loomis arrives and ventures into Ann’s house, you know something is up-the hints toward his peculiar intentions propelled me to turn the pages and see if the man could be trusted.