Early Reader Review: Postscript by Cory McCarthy

Source: From the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Postscript by Cory McCarthy 

Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Publication Date:  February 17, 2026

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

From Stonewall Honoree Cory McCarthy, a heartbreaking, joyful, read-it-in-one-sitting YA novel about the last of us.

“I’m not sure the how-pocalypse changes anything. I don’t think about it; this is hard enough.”

   This is a depopulated archipelago off the coast of Massachusetts, home to a tiny handful of sapiens sifting the remnants of civilization for scraps of comfort and joy. 

    There’s no sense in trying to figure out exactly how humans got to this place of endless gray skies and so many mass graves—that’s a very long letter no one has the heart to read again. What matters is this fleeting postscript, a strangely joyous house of bones built by an unlikely quintet of survivors.

Review: 

Such a strange read - I wasn't really sure what I had read and it took a few reflection days for me to finally write a review for it. 

Postscript is about a post-apocalyptic world. West is on a boat and is sold to Emil. Emil introduces West to a compound that he knows about on an island of Cape Cod. Where he is further introduced to Ani and Kay.

During this dystopian mess, it is always warm and Cape Cod is now like a tropical island (or so it seems). West is child-like having been through the apocalypse at age 12. Now older, still curious about things, and very child-like still he realizes that he has feelings for Emil. 

The story was really strange in that there really isn't a fully fleshed out plot... it is just about being in the moment with these survivors. Emil paints a very anti-gun agenda, West revives your sense of wonder and curiosity, and Kay and Ani evoke feelings of strength but also grief. The book is haunting in that way, but the found family aspect is comforting. The book is very short, more novella than novel, and the ending is sad. It felt more like verse than full narrative at times, as the imagery is told through vignettes versus explanation and details.

While odd and confusing for its lack of detail, this was full of emotion. If you are looking for something on the shorter side and aren't afraid of the discomfort you might feel from this book - this could be for you.