The End of October

A Novel

By: Lawrence Wright

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

"An eerily prescient novel about a devastating virus that begins in Asia before going global.... A page-turner that has the earmarks of an instant best seller." (New York Post)

"Featuring accounts of past plagues and pandemics, descriptions of pathogens and how they work, and dark notes about global warming, the book produces deep shudders.... A disturbing, eerily timed novel." (Kirkus Reviews)

"A compelling read up to the last sentence. Wright has come up with a story worthy of Michael Crichton. In an eerily calm, matter-of-fact way, and backed by meticulous research, he imagines what the world would actually be like in the grip of a devastating new virus." (Richard Preston, author of The Hot Zone)

"This timely literary page-turner shows Wright is on a par with the best writers in the genre." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

In this riveting medical thriller - from the Pulitzer Prize winner and best-selling author - Dr. Henry Parsons, an unlikely but appealing hero, races to find the origins and cure of a mysterious new killer virus as it brings the world to its knees.

At an internment camp in Indonesia, 47 people are pronounced dead with acute hemorrhagic fever. When Henry Parsons - microbiologist, epidemiologist - travels there on behalf of the World Health Organization to investigate, what he finds will soon have staggering repercussions across the globe: An infected man is on his way to join the millions of worshipers in the annual Hajj to Mecca. Now, Henry joins forces with a Saudi prince and doctor in an attempt to quarantine the entire host of pilgrims in the holy city....

A Russian émigré, a woman who has risen to deputy director of US Homeland Security, scrambles to mount a response to what may be an act of biowarfare.... Already-fraying global relations begin to snap, one by one, in the face of a pandemic.... Henry's wife, Jill, and their children face diminishing odds of survival in Atlanta.... And the disease slashes across the United States, dismantling institutions - scientific, religious, governmental - and decimating the population. As packed with suspense as it is with the fascinating history of viral diseases, Lawrence Wright has given us a full-tilt, electrifying, one-of-a-kind thriller.

©2020 Lawrence Wright (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"[Narrator Mark] Bramhall animates a storyline that's all too real, and all too close to home, and he lends intimacy and immediacy to the epic melodrama that has now become present reality. Any other time - even six months ago - this would have been an urgent cautionary tale. Now, alas, it's the morning's news." (AudioFile Magazine)

Pandemic on the Page

“The End of October” was surprisingly timely. I learned a lot about viruses and pandemics in the past and, maybe, the future. Who would have expected this novel in the Spring of 2020?

The novel shifts repeatedly between a suspenseful plot about efforts to contain a pandemic and long digressions into the history of various diseases. Some of the plot twists are ridiculous, almost laughable, but so what? They move ahead this fascinating plot. Dr. Henry Parsons is the main character, a physically small but intellectually imposing epidemiologist who knows viruses inside out. He flies to Indonesia to study the breakout of a novel disease that begins in a quasi-prison camp and rapidly spreads to Saudi Arabia and then the world. It’s a flu, not a virus, but otherwise it’s a lot like the current coronavirus. Parson’s wife and children, stuck in Atlanta, are likeable and resourceful as the disease spreads.

There are a lot of politics in the novel, often focused on manipulative government officials and Russian bad acts. There is a Trump-like president, and even Alex Jones makes a brief and revolting appearance. In one touching moment, a scarred woman is looking for someone to kiss her, just because she misses the physical contact.

Wright has written compelling non-fiction, including books I enjoyed on scientology and 9/11. In this novel, the plot helps keep focus on what seems to be deeply reported science.

The narrator was just right, with subtle accenting for the different characters. I especially liked his Minnesota accent for a minor character named Murphy.

Like Reading The Hidden Details Of The Daily News

How might "the world as we know it" end? In a perfect storm of deadly viruses, bioterrorism, weak infrastructure, greed, nationalism, arrogance, small-minded fear, & bigotry.

What would it take for humanity to survive such cataclysm? Bravery, kindness, love, humility, true humanitarianism, deep introspection & self awareness, & respect for the earth, nature, & all things living.

I especially appreciate the author/journalist's ability to interweave the factual historical events that take place previous to the fictional Kongoli outbreak.

holy crap weirdly specific story. bad writing

this guy predicted everything holy smokes. but good God the writing sucks. still worth listening.

Rush to wrap it up

This book started with lots of in-depth character development, but towards the end of the book the author skipped multiple opportunities to tie the characters together. It felt like he suddenly was just ready for to be over so he skipped over parts that, In my opinion, were crucial to the dénouement such as the father children reunion

a must read for now

Wow. This book was meant to be a summer thriller with a warning. Instead it feels like Old Testament prophecy. The author did extensive research for years, and wrote it before COVID 19 was even known. And yet here we are, living this dystopia. trigger warnings abound and if viruses and biologic warfare and lots of death are not your thing, perhaps come back to this in a few years when we are safe again.

An uncomfortable book

This book isn't comfortable to read, but it is informative and entertaining. It just strikes very close to home, especially in the early chapters. It is remarkably well researched and reads smoothly, but the topic is painfully close to real life.

That said, I couldn' t put it down. I recommend it to anyone who isn't prone to nightmares.

Reconnections with family

The author did a great job engaging characters. He did not give us closure on his relationship with his kids. A happy or angry reunion would have been nice.

Intensely prescient, edge of your seat pandemic epic

Prescient for our global pandemic, the author’s narrative is tight, compelling, and edge of your seat dramatic. In fact, it reads like a taught suspense film with plenty of humanity as well as science. This is the story of one man’s quest to understand and contain or eradicate a global pandemic as it spreads throughout the world. Excellent writing and narration. A must read for 2020.

Great Listen!

Thoroughly entertaining and riveting from start to finish. I highly recommend this especially in these days of COVID-19.

Good story

At first I was challenged to continue with the book because it was during covid-19. But, later I took up the book again and found it a facinating read.