The collected stories range in subject matter, from the apocalyptic titular story "After the Plague" to "Peep Hall", which centers on a man discovering a website that streams live footage of a local house full of women.

Other stories feature themes such as bullying and first love.

[2][3][4][5] Sven Birkerts, reviewing for The New York Times, gave a mostly positive review to After the Plague, stating that he enjoyed the collection but that at times the characters overwhelm the stories and "subvert the deeper claims of the work".

[6] The Guardian praised the collection, noting that "Boyle writes so beautifully that it always feels natural, never forced.

"[7] The Lexington Herald-Leader gave a more mixed review, opining that although the stories are "artfully woven" they are also "plagued by illogic".