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A review by powerpuffgoat
Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay
3.25
Going into it, I admit I was biased because I didn't like the only other book by Tremblay I've read. However, I opted for an audiobook this time in hopes that more passive absorption of the text would help. To an extent, it did.
Good things first. The premise isn't new (zombie-like pandemic that affects humans and other animals). The book was published in 2020, so I assume it was written before COVID unraveled, and it's incredible how much the author nailed the vibe. The not quite knowing what you're supposed to do. The haphazard handling of the pandemic by the authorities. The overrun hospitals and overworked medical staff. The right-wing anti-wax crowds that are as cowardly as they are stupid. Uncanny.
Unfortunately, I was faced with the same issue as I encountered in The Cabin. The pacing switches between high-action, present tense chapters and painful ruminations of the main characters. Natalie's character was difficult to sympathise with, both her dialogue and her recordings to her future baby were kind of annoying. Yes-yes, I know she is in a terrible situation, but I feel like the author expects us to excuse anything Natalie does based on the fact she is pregnant.
And now we come to my biggest issue with the novel. I feel like many stories use children or pregnancy as a "hack" to up the stakes and get the viewer or reader to root for these vulnerable characters. It felt cheap, even cheaper because of the fate of two young men who helped Natalie and Ramola and the bus full of other mothers and babies our characters shamelessly exposed to sick Natalie.
I hated the way Natalie latches onto the idea of Ramola raising the child, even though she was clearly not keen on it. I hate that Ramola ends up raising the baby anyway because... Women, right? Give 'em a baby, even if they say they don't want one, they will end up a great mother figure!
Good things first. The premise isn't new (zombie-like pandemic that affects humans and other animals). The book was published in 2020, so I assume it was written before COVID unraveled, and it's incredible how much the author nailed the vibe. The not quite knowing what you're supposed to do. The haphazard handling of the pandemic by the authorities. The overrun hospitals and overworked medical staff. The right-wing anti-wax crowds that are as cowardly as they are stupid. Uncanny.
Unfortunately, I was faced with the same issue as I encountered in The Cabin. The pacing switches between high-action, present tense chapters and painful ruminations of the main characters. Natalie's character was difficult to sympathise with, both her dialogue and her recordings to her future baby were kind of annoying. Yes-yes, I know she is in a terrible situation, but I feel like the author expects us to excuse anything Natalie does based on the fact she is pregnant.
And now we come to my biggest issue with the novel. I feel like many stories use children or pregnancy as a "hack" to up the stakes and get the viewer or reader to root for these vulnerable characters. It felt cheap, even cheaper because of the fate of two young men who helped Natalie and Ramola and the bus full of other mothers and babies our characters shamelessly exposed to sick Natalie.