This book by René Barjavel is recognized as the founding pillar of the French SF and it is true that from that point of view, this is an outstanding book that deserves its reputation.
The description of this ultra-modern society that suddenly without electricity, collapses like a house of cards, leaving her destitute citizens who had lost the habit of using their ten fingers is cold in the back and can not fail to worry about humans today, more than ever slaves of technology and electricity that makes them work.
However, it lacks in this book of poetry that live and breath that other major book of French SF: Robert Merle Malevil. "Malevil" is later, and one might think that Robert Merle has tapped into "Ravage" part of his inspiration. But he was able to do something much more powerful and striking, at least from my point of view.
If I were advising someone reading a book depicting the human struggle with nature at its contingencies again become all-powerful, it is undoubtedly "Malevil" I would recommend.
