A review by the_coycaterpillar_reads
Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay
5.0
Well hold the mother-fucking door! Allow me to go on record and declare that there will never be a better time to read Paul Tremblay’s Survivor Song than 2020, and I managed it by the arse of my pants! Tremblay is a decorated horror novelist that I am ashamed to say have never read, until now. The guy has a huge responsibility on his shoulders, but he is still swimming, still telling stories that stay with the reader. This story is going to be one that I will remember and hold in regard to the year 2020.
I’m waffling (not unlike the victims of the super rabies that have taken hold).
Let’s play the Survivor Song. Can you remember where you were when you heard a particular song? Where were you when you read Survivor Song? In a cruel twist of fate, I was in lockdown. I’m one of these twisted individuals that just love reading about pandemics IN a pandemic. So, lock those damn doors, have a weapon close by and never, ever, leave a door open.
A grieving wife, pregnant with their first child. A shock virus is spreading within Massachusetts. A strong, super contagious mega-rabies is spreading from animals to humans. Its contracted by saliva and as a result the entire state goes into lockdown (sound familiar?) The hospitals can’t cope, the emergency services are overrun, and no residents can leave the state. Dr Ramola Sherman, a paediatrician is being drafted in as second tier support and no-one is more shocked than her at how quickly things have gotten out of control. However, a plea for help from her best friend, Natalie turns both their worlds upside down. Natalie’s husband has been killed by an infected neighbour and she has sustained a bite that could be infected with the mutant rabies.
Survivor Song is a tale of love and hope, believe it or not. Natalie is a deep character that is dealing with hope, loss, and fear. She is a strong and capable character but in her vulnerability is where you see her immovable need to put someone else first, her unborn baby. The virus trope is a an old one, but Tremblay does more than rehash an old script. He examines the fear and the mental strain pandemics place upon the human psyche. The vulnerability etches a bullseye for everyone to see and just how that world reacts to it was just perfection. Natalie’s struggle was hard to read, I was mesmerised by her plight and Tremblay has played a blinder with this one.
Dr Ramona and Natalie are against the clock. Natalie needs immediate medical care and Ramona believes she has the sway needed to get her it. The way Tremblay wrote an incredibly fractious situation through a potentially infected character was so spot on, I was floored. You could feel the fear and love for her unborn child. We seek something when our worlds are falling apart…a connection, help, understanding.
Releasing this book at this moment in time? Mind-blowing!
Survivor Song at the hands of a deft magician delivered pain and anguish whilst in freefall. A cautionary tale about the things that could just be around the corner.
I’m waffling (not unlike the victims of the super rabies that have taken hold).
Let’s play the Survivor Song. Can you remember where you were when you heard a particular song? Where were you when you read Survivor Song? In a cruel twist of fate, I was in lockdown. I’m one of these twisted individuals that just love reading about pandemics IN a pandemic. So, lock those damn doors, have a weapon close by and never, ever, leave a door open.
A grieving wife, pregnant with their first child. A shock virus is spreading within Massachusetts. A strong, super contagious mega-rabies is spreading from animals to humans. Its contracted by saliva and as a result the entire state goes into lockdown (sound familiar?) The hospitals can’t cope, the emergency services are overrun, and no residents can leave the state. Dr Ramola Sherman, a paediatrician is being drafted in as second tier support and no-one is more shocked than her at how quickly things have gotten out of control. However, a plea for help from her best friend, Natalie turns both their worlds upside down. Natalie’s husband has been killed by an infected neighbour and she has sustained a bite that could be infected with the mutant rabies.
Survivor Song is a tale of love and hope, believe it or not. Natalie is a deep character that is dealing with hope, loss, and fear. She is a strong and capable character but in her vulnerability is where you see her immovable need to put someone else first, her unborn baby. The virus trope is a an old one, but Tremblay does more than rehash an old script. He examines the fear and the mental strain pandemics place upon the human psyche. The vulnerability etches a bullseye for everyone to see and just how that world reacts to it was just perfection. Natalie’s struggle was hard to read, I was mesmerised by her plight and Tremblay has played a blinder with this one.
Dr Ramona and Natalie are against the clock. Natalie needs immediate medical care and Ramona believes she has the sway needed to get her it. The way Tremblay wrote an incredibly fractious situation through a potentially infected character was so spot on, I was floored. You could feel the fear and love for her unborn child. We seek something when our worlds are falling apart…a connection, help, understanding.
Releasing this book at this moment in time? Mind-blowing!
Survivor Song at the hands of a deft magician delivered pain and anguish whilst in freefall. A cautionary tale about the things that could just be around the corner.