Recommended fiction titles
There are several novels that describe the impact of an extremely virulent strain of influenza: short incubation period, highly infectious with a very high mortality rate. Essentially the stories are about people – the diseases are plot devices for whatever genre the novel represents.
Browse through our list of fiction titles, as recommended by Professor Jo Verran, Founder of the Bad Bugs Book Club, which focus on the topic of emerging infectious diseases below.
1. World War Z by Max Brooks 2006
Unlike the movie, where Brad Pitt saves the world, the novel comprises interviews with survivors of a global zombie apocalypse: their stories are contextualised within a maelstrom of political and national responses. A great read.
2. Nemesis by Philip Roth. 2010.
In the 1940s, polio was transmitted in an unknown manner, caused by an unknown agent, and particularly targeted children and young people. In a New Jersey outbreak amongst a climate of fear and guilt, how do different people respond?
3. Health of Strangers by Lesley Kelly. 2017.
Set in a modern Edinburgh after a pandemic with a mortality rate of 2.4%, this trilogy describes how a Health Enforcement Team (immune individuals) ensures that the public are attending regular testing/screening appointments – whilst also encountering illicit gatherings, crime and murder.
4. Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe. 1722.
Not the easiest read, but witty nevertheless, London during the 1665 plague is vividly described: the dense population lives with death and engages with a variety of strategies to avoid it (similarities with World War Z).
5. Immunity by Taylor Antrim. 2015.
After a flu-like pandemic that killed 5% of the population, screening is everywhere, medical care is not universally available, but the world of business, power and politics continues.
6. The Citadel by A J Cronin. 1937.
The journey of a doctor from enthusiasm to charlatanism – and back – reminds us of the value of the NHS (if we ever needed reminding). Cronin also created the much loved Dr Finlay.
7. The Plague by Albert Camus. 1947.
Already referenced in much of the media for its apposite quotes, the novel describes an outbreak of the plague in an Algerian town. Again, the behaviour of the population is the main focus. The novel is deemed an ‘existentialist classic’.
8. The Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen. 2006.
A small town in America has avoided being infected by the 1918 influenza pandemic. How do the residents maintain isolation?
9. A Lovely Way to Burn by Louise Welsh. 2014.
The first of a trilogy describing the emergence of a highly virulent flu-like likeness in modern times. The protagonist recovers from the viral illness (very few people do) and travels across London attempting to find out what caused her boyfriend’s death. Very much a survivor narrative.
10. Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel. 2014.
This award-winning novel set in current times describes how a lethal, highly infectious pandemic leaves small groups of survivors struggling to create, maintain or disrupt civilisation in a new world. Set in America.
For any more information about the Bad Bugs Book Club and how you can get involved, contact Professor Jo Verran at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter.
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Professor Jo Verran
