The End of October

A novel

By: Lawrence Wright

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

“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 bestseller.” —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, forty-seven 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 worshippers 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 U.S. 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.

What was I thinking?

There were many times while listening to this book when I questioned why oh why was I scaring myself in listening to something that is so similar to what we all are going through at this time! But much much worse!

Still, I simply could not put it down. The characters, especially the main subject, Dr Henry Parsons, were well established and I felt like I just could not desert him! I'm glad I finished it. One of the better books I have had the pleasure to hear.

Wow!

This was a very timely novel. My husband and I were very impressed. Felt a little cheated at the end.

Incredibly Timely and Prescient!

Definitely worth reading for its knowledgeable research and the important warning conveyed. If you like “ripped from Today’s Headlines” Fiction, this is for you.

A pandemic 1000 times worse than COVID 19....

Wright tells a very believable tale of the spread of a devastating, fatal pandemic, weaving in well-researched historical details. The main character is Dr Henry Parsons the lead virologist at the CDC who travels the world to understand (and sometimes create) viruses. His family, colleagues and others he encounters on his global journey to track down this new virus help fill out the story. It recalled for me The Road by Cormac MacCarthy and his apocalyptic message. Somehow End of October is more hopeful at least for the salvation of the Earth. The narrator, Mark Bramhall, is perfect as Dr Henry Parsons and he manages to bring to life a huge range of Wright's characters as well.

Terrifying yet brilliant read in these times

Not sure what to say. It's like listening to the current news but worse. I hope it's not predicting the future. Informative, gripping, well written, perfectly narrated.. but there couldn't be a worse time to publish or listen to it...