The Flu

By: Jacqueline Druga

Narrated by: Dave Courvoisier

Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Throughout history there have been several thousand different strains of influenza. Each year hundreds are active. Chances are, this year, you will catch one of those strains. You will cough, sneeze, and your body will ache. Without a second thought, you'll take a double dose of green liquid, go to bed, and swear you'll feel better in the morning. Not this time. In 1918 forty-million people succumbed to a particular strain of swine flu. It appeared out of nowhere, and just as quickly as it surfaced, the Spanish Flu vanished. Gone for good. Or so we thought. Though mankind has anticipated its resurfacing for some time, mankind is ill prepared.

Mutated and with a vengeance, the Spanish Flu returns. In a world blackened with plague, a glimmer of light exists in the small town of Lodi, Ohio. They shine as a sanctuary because they ... are 'flu-free' In the wake of the reality that they are spared, the spirit and strength of Lodi is tested. It becomes a fight against what is morally right or wrong in an increasingly difficult battle to stay healthy and alive until the flu has run its course.

©2006, 2011 Jacqueline Druga (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Enjoyable

Any additional comments?

I am happy with this book, the story and the narration is good. I must say I found it enjoyable, compelling to listen too and interesting. I am still unsure if I liked the character Dylan basically for the way she treated our poor Sheriff but then that was part of the fun of it all.

I would have preferred more about the FLU and the effects, but as a story it is enjoyable.

Good but

I have read several books by this author and I generally have rave revues for them. However, If it is going to have explicit sex passages it should have a disclaimer on the cover.

I couldn't stop listening

The story is captivating; I don't understand why there's such a low rating. Jacqueline Druga is an eloquent writer. She had me from the first word to the last word. The only thing that I didn't like was the gratuitous sex parts, which I solved by skipping those parts. Not sure what those parts had to do with the story? But, you do see that I still gave the book 5 stars.

A realistic insight into human nature and our will

What I think is a man made virus, kept in cold storage in Alaska. Away from populations so it can be studied without worry of infecting the masses. As so often happens when a story stars off this way, the virus gets out and infects the entire continent faster than anyone thought possible. Then we are introduced to a cast of characters in Lodi, Ohio of all places. I found it very strange as to why we were concerned with the population of such a small and unassuming town. It isn’t until the second part of the book that I was able to understand why the town of Lodi, Ohio is even relevant. Full of interesting characters that are developed very well. I would even say there were too many characters to keep track of. I think it was strange that there were several distracting sex scenes that added nothing to plot. I found nothing ground breaking for terribly unique to the story. Slow to develop without a real climax, but overall good plague apocalypse adventure. A realistic insight into human nature and our will to survive and overcome anything. However I will be giving the second book a try.

Audiobook provided for review by the author.

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Kept me hooked!

Well developed story. Very exciting and well written. Good narration. I couldn't wait for the next page.

A little bit of everything...

Would you listen to The Flu again? Why?

Yes. I love these characters now. I love the way they are with each other and who they are. I would like to revisit the ones lost to the flu.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Flu?

I loved the comical conversations between the characters, especially when Rose, Mic's mom explained the facts of life to Dylan's sons... and the moment Mic realized it.

What about Dave Courvoisier’s performance did you like?

He was as moved by the story as I was, so his emotional delivery matched my mood upon hearing it. His voice changes for different characters got a little out there sometimes, but I think it added to my ability to distinguish different characters from each other early on.

If you could rename The Flu, what would you call it?

Sanctuary. I think that word has a double meaning in this story. At first it's the town as it holds off the flu, but even when that fails, the bonds between the characters create a peace for the survivors from which they can rebuild.

Any additional comments?

Sometimes the language was a little graphic, although I must admit, it somehow worked for Rose (to a point), and the homosexual love scene made me uncomfortable with openly recommending this book to just anyone categorically. However, the characters, writing and performance were SUPERB! I appreciate any author who doesn't lazily rely on pure villainy to drive conflict. These people are complex and flawed and so appealing. I intend to visit them again someday, and I look forward to sampling the author's other works.

More drama than thriller

This story was more poorly written drama than a thriller or scary story, as the summary suggested. Also the narrator read annoyingly inconsistent. Overall I am glad I listened to it but the narrator and the drama ruined a good story.

Not as Good as I Hoped

What made the experience of listening to The Flu the most enjoyable?

I always enjoy Jacqueline Druga's work, though I enjoy some of her books more than others. As always, her characters - typical Americans caught in disastrous situations - are well described. In particular, even in the most threatening circumstances, the interactions among the characters are drawn with wit and humor. The FBI agent partners were hilarious!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Flu?

The most memorable event was probably the coming of the flu to the only town in the U.S. that had been flu free. However, the events on the town border with the biker-guardians were memorable, as were the interactions of the FBI agents in the hotel room.

What does Dave Courvoisier bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The reader, Dave Courvoisier, does a great job of individualizing the multitude of characters. I could almost always tell who was speaking without being told.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I usually listen to audiobooks in two or three sittings, especially when I am grading papers (I am a teacher). However, I found my interest waning. I think I did not find the characters compelling enough to make me want to return. Perhaps, the characters in this book were just too wholesome.

Any additional comments?

I will keep reading Druga's novels. She is a wonder! Is there an apocalyptic plot she has not attempted?

great story

great story a little slow to start but good character development. excited to move on to the next book.

This book is a tear jerker!!!

This book had me crying, at work, in front of coworkers!!!! And I’m a MAN!!!! Great book can’t wait to listen to book 2.
Jabrady