The Last of Us, HBO’s highly acclaimed series based on the popular video game of the same name, has been a massive success, drawing in viewers week after week, regardless of their opinions on how closely it sticks to the game’s storyline or its political leanings.

The premise of the show, and the game it’s based on, is not entirely novel: a zombie outbreak has ravaged the planet, causing survivors to struggle through a post-apocalyptic reality fraught with horror and chaos.

This has led to varying degrees of authoritarianism and anarchy.

Both the show and the game are dedicated to exploring the intricacies of moral ambiguity, eschewing the traditional hero/villain binary, at least when it comes to human characters. While some characters are more benevolent than others, even the most morally bankrupt characters display glimmers of humanity.

Here are five books that delve deeper into the science, atmosphere, and moral underpinnings of the show.

Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake

The Last of Us features stunning depictions of fungal life, particularly in the game where zombies, once human, transform into mushroom-like creatures as they decay amidst overgrown surroundings.

Sheldrake’s extensive exploration of fungi, spanning various forms including the notorious cordyceps, goes beyond the focus of The Mother Tree, which centers on the subterranean communication networks facilitated by mycorrhizal connections.

Those who harbor a fascination for mushroom zombies would find Sheldrake’s near-obsessive study of fungi in all its forms ideal.

The Stand by Stephen King

After the onset of the plague came the arrival of ominous dreams, foretelling the emergence of a malevolent figure known as the dark man.

He was the renegade of death, marching through the night with worn-out boots, commanding the charnel house and reigning as the Prince of Evil.

The moment of his ascension draws near as his domain spreads in the west, and the looming Apocalypse approaches.

Stephen King’s The Stand is a precious offering to the multitude of fans who craved more after reading the original version.

For those who are experiencing The Stand for the first time, they will discover a triumphantly haunting piece of fiction that grapples with the pressing issues that will determine our survival.

The Bear by Andrew Krivak

In a future resembling the paradise of Eden, a young girl and her father reside near a solitary mountain, living in close communion with the earth.

Though possessing only a few relics of civilization, such as books, a comb, a pane of glass, and flint and steel, the duo cherishes their meager belongings.

The father imparts his knowledge of fishing, hunting, the seasons, and the stars to his daughter, preparing her for a life in which she can live in harmony with nature, as they are the last remaining humans.

However, when the girl becomes separated from her father in an unfamiliar territory, it is a bear that guides her back home.

Through an immense wilderness, the girl learns invaluable lessons if she can open herself to the bear’s teachings.

The Bear is a warning against human fragility, a tribute to nature’s magnificence, and a story of love and loss.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

In a world that has collapsed, Station Eleven tells the tale of a renowned Hollywood celebrity, his potential savior, and a group of wandering actors who journey across the remnants of the Great Lakes region, risking their lives for art and the preservation of humanity.

During a snowy evening, the famous actor collapses and dies while performing King Lear.

Only hours later, the world we know begins to crumble. This captivating, haunting novel moves back and forth through time, following the actor from his early years as a film star to a future fifteen years from now, where the Traveling Symphony, a theater troupe, travels through the ruins of civilization.

The story weaves together the lives of five individuals, including the actor, the man who attempted to rescue him, his first wife, his closest friend, and a young actress with the Traveling Symphony who becomes a target of a dangerous, self-proclaimed prophet.

World War Z by Max Brooks

Humanity was perilously close to extinction during The Zombie War. In response, Max Brooks felt a pressing need to document the firsthand accounts of survivors from around the world.

His travels took him to once-bustling cities, now decimated and devoid of their previous populations, and to some of the planet’s most remote and inhospitable regions.

Brooks spoke with men, women, and even children who had come face-to-face with the living dead during the apocalyptic period.

The result of his efforts is World War Z, an unparalleled record of the fear and horror that permeated human society during those bleak years, as well as the unyielding spirit of resistance that persisted despite the overwhelming odds. 

The book effectively conveys the human experience of this significant event, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

To fully appreciate the raw and graphic personal narratives, one must possess a certain level of bravery.

Nonetheless, the endeavor is worthwhile, as Mr. Brooks notes in the introduction.

By disregarding the human element, we risk becoming emotionally disconnected from history, potentially leading us to repeat past mistakes.

Ultimately, it is the human factor that distinguishes us from the enemy we now identify as “the living dead.”

The Last of Us | Official Trailer | HBO Max