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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A frighteningly plausible novel, September 7, 2006
This review is from: The Flu (Paperback)
The Flu is a novel that takes its premise right from today's headlines. A flu strain similar to the one responsible for the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918 is being kept alive at a secret research facility in Alaska. A simple accident allows the virus to escape and, because travel is so easy, the virus rapidly spreads across the United States and around the world.
However, what makes this novel a real treat is not the frighteningly plausible premise, it's the point of view. Instead of focusing on the scientists combating the pandemic, Jacqueline Druga-Johnston tells the story from the vantage point of a believably dysfunctional family living in a small town in Ohio. The heroine is a divorced mother trying to balance the responsibilities of caring for her three sons and the attentions of her ex-husband and new boyfriend while the flu pandemic spreads across the nation. The novel ends with a take-no-prisoners climax as the flu reaches Ohio.
In The Flu, Jacqueline Druga-Johnston deftly balances action, wry humor, tragedy and ultimately hope as she gives us an unflinching view of the human spirit in time of crisis.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the BEST pandemic novels I've read!, June 30, 2011
A month ago I'd never heard of Jacqueline Druga; now I'm one of her biggest fans.
I'm a big fan of post-apocalyptic novels, have been since I read Alas, Babylon at age 15. Forty-three years later, I've read all of the greats and some not-so-greats. It's been harder to find good ones, but since buying my Kindle I've had access to a far greater number of p-a works, including many by authors who aren't traditionally published. For the past six months, I've read a number of p-a novels that I have loved. This is one of the best.
Druga's characters in The Flu are likable, normal people I'd like to have as friends. I was quickly pulled into the story; not even the mistakes that others have mentioned were able to distract me for longer than a "what the?" moment. Usually I'm not able to finish a book when there are errors in grammar and usage, but the *story* Druga tells is so well-crafted that I not only kept reading, I stayed up really really late to finish it. I couldn't put it down and read it in one long sitting.
I've read two other of Druga's novels (Dust--post-nuclear survival and Yellow Zone--another post-flu pandemic) and liked them both. But The Flu is the book that has made me a solid fan of Jacqueline Druga. I'm looking forward to many pleasant hours of post-apocalyptic reading.
PS You will need a box of tissues as you near the end of The Flu. I usually won't read a book if I've been warned that it'll make me cry, but I'd heard such good things about this one that I read it anyway. I'm glad I did.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Character Driven Book, June 23, 2011
review I originally read this book in it's un-edited form, and still gave it four stars (on another venue). I've had a fascination with post-apocalyptic/survival books since I was in the fourth grade. Something about reading the thoughts and actions of people surviving insurmountable odds sparked something in my imagination. I'd read nearly all of the "classic" PA books out there, but then started looking for more contemporary books and authors of this genre. Then I found Jacqueline Druga's book, Dust. I loved that book, so I looked for more of her books and found this one. I was floored! Here was a book written from a woman and mother's perspective. Here were flawed characters, "real" folks...not hard-core survivalists or weapons fanatics. Here were characters that I came to "know". I had to write to the author and let her know how much I enjoyed her books. When I wrote to her about her characters, I wrote as though I actually knew them personally. I also let her know that many of the scenes brought me to tears...because the situations were so devastating and as a mother and grandmother, they touched my soul. Surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly, given Druga's willingness to actually listen to reader comments) has lead to a great friendship (via email and social media). That being stated, we became friends after I originally reviewed this book. I do not do "planted" reviews. I want any readers of this review to know that. I honestly HIGHLY recommend this book! The original book was great, despite some editing issues. Those issues have now been cleaned up and the book was picked up by Permuted Press and recently re-released. I feel very confident in giving the re-released book five stars and urge you to read this book (and her many others books.) While Jackie's forté is PA books, she also does a great job with some of her other books in the comedy and spiritual genres. I plan on reading ALL of her books!
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