A review by katebb76
The Waiting Rooms by Eve Smith
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a chilling story in a world where antibiotic resistance is rife and even a small bacterial infection can be fatal. In an attempt to minimise further bacterial mutation and subsequent antibiotic-resistance, the largest population of antibiotic users, the over-70s, are denied new antibiotics and encouraged to sign assisted-death declarations.
The dual timeline follows a scientist striving to develop new, plant-based medications before and during a epidemiological crisis, plus a assisted-death nurse and care-home resident 20 years post-crisis. How are their lives interlinked with each other and others close to them?
This novel is fabulously researched and written, and is a real thinker. With antibiotic resistance already a reality, how will we approach treatment of bacterial infections in the (near) future? Eve Smith has definitely created a speculative future that is too close to reality for comfort.
The dual timeline follows a scientist striving to develop new, plant-based medications before and during a epidemiological crisis, plus a assisted-death nurse and care-home resident 20 years post-crisis. How are their lives interlinked with each other and others close to them?
This novel is fabulously researched and written, and is a real thinker. With antibiotic resistance already a reality, how will we approach treatment of bacterial infections in the (near) future? Eve Smith has definitely created a speculative future that is too close to reality for comfort.