The Death of Grass is a post-apocalyptic science fiction novel by John Christopher. The story takes place in a world where a virus destroys all grasses and cereal crops, causing global famine and the collapse of society. At first, John Custance believes the crisis is limited to Asia and that scientists will soon find a solution. However, when the disease reaches Britain, food supplies disappear and civilization rapidly breaks down.
Realizing that the government can no longer protect its citizens, John and his family set out on a dangerous journey to reach his brother’s remote farm, which may offer a chance of survival. Along the way, they face violence, desperation, and difficult moral choices as ordinary people struggle to survive in a world without food or order.
The novel explores how quickly society can collapse when essential resources vanish and examines the sacrifices people are willing to make to stay alive. Dark, realistic, and thought-provoking, it remains one of the most influential post-apocalyptic novels ever written.