If you were drawn to Gordon's journey as the Postman—carrying a symbol of hope through a devastated America—Station Eleven will resonate deeply. Here, Kirsten Raymonde and a troupe of actors and musicians travel the ruins of North America, using art to restore a sense of purpose and community. Both novels explore how fragile symbols and stories can inspire people to rebuild, even in the face of overwhelming loss.

If you appreciated how Gordon transforms from a desperate survivor to a reluctant symbol of hope, The Road offers a similarly powerful journey. The unnamed father and son face a bleak landscape, and while their circumstances are dire, their bond and growth drive the narrative. The subtle shifts in their relationship and the choices they make echo the emotional evolution found in The Postman.

If the mission at the heart of The Postman—restoring connection and order—captivated you, Earth Abides will hold similar appeal. Isherwood Williams emerges from isolation to find society in ruins, and gradually assumes the role of a leader, guiding survivors toward a new civilization. The book’s focus on rebuilding and purpose echoes Gordon’s quest to reignite hope.

If you loved immersing yourself in Brin’s richly imagined post-collapse America—with its new societies, warlords, and shifting alliances—The Stand will transport you to an even broader canvas. King's sprawling narrative follows diverse survivors as they navigate moral choices and rebuild society from scratch, teeming with unique communities and vivid landscapes.

If the philosophical undertones of The Postman—the search for meaning, the power of symbols, and the endurance of human ideals—struck a chord, A Canticle for Leibowitz will fascinate you. It follows monks safeguarding remnants of knowledge after a nuclear apocalypse, probing questions about faith, memory, and the cycles of civilization.