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 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)

wow!

a powerful story with many surprises! I strongly recommend it to any one who likes thrillers.

Very close to nonfiction! How did he know?

This is an interesting vision of humanity. Though it may scare you, it is a story of our time.

Keep Going.

I am a big fan of the author’s non-fiction work. His ‘Going Clear’ is a particular favorite of mine. While I was up and down with this work I’m glad I finished it. The last few chapters bring things together nicely and while it may seem kind of all over the place as you move through it, the work has a good ending, which I find can be a very tough thing to achieve for even the most accomplished fiction authors. The book includes a great deal of actual science and you grow very attached to its main character. Personally, I also feel that if humanity is ever stupid or unfortunate enough to go down a road similar to what is described in this work, we will see that Mr. Wright’s imagination was very much on point with reality. Let’s hope we never do.

A little too real

This book was amazing. I couldn’t wait to finish to see what happened but now I’m sad it’s over! So realistic-I had to keep reminding myself it was NOT the pandemic we are living through. So glad I listened!

Preview of coming attractions!

Great read. Very good research by author into science and medicine vs politics and unsubstantiated opinion.

interesting to compare and contrast...

... the fictionalized version that goes for dramatic flourishes including an actual "bad guy" vs the more prosaic effect of a real life pandemic. remarkable that he got so many details right while also going for an enterataining geopolitical thriller that is recognizable as such.
because we're right in the middle of a pandemic ourselves, the genre conventions really stick out like a sore thumb when they show up. a little bit of james bond here, a sprig of tyrion lannister there, and a cup and a half of tom clancy liberally mixed into the wet ingredients. bake on high for ninety minutes. but it works and is indeed entertaining. things work out much much worse in the fiction so we can at least be grateful when we think of how things are shaking out in the real world. our virus is not as lethal but as a civilization of man, we also seem to be more resilient and smart (!!!) in dealing with such a cataclysm.
gotta admit, there were a few times where I had to shake my head and actively remind myself, "hey, it's actually NOT this bad in our world!"
heh, I came to this after finishing off the 6 frank herbert dune novels and holy cow, it's so refreshing to have a story MOVE with some degree of momentum!

2020 book for sure

great read in today's world of covid-19. Scary but more reality than most ate willing to accept.

Truth Told Through Fiction.

While in a currently comfortable quarantine, in a vortex of true and false news debris swirling daily, and in a time of innumerable accounts of heroic dedication and sacrifice by essential citizens; this novel virus novel appears. It informs the reader through extensive: history, science, and human nature as to the circumstances we are living through and what might transpire if cogent actions are not forthcoming in a timely manner worldwide.

The best teachers teach through example. Entertaining the students while covering the facts and lessons into open minds. This is such a story. I have a much greater understanding of the immensity of the Covid 19 pandemic thanks to the author’s skill and research. We are far from being out of danger today. Going forward - there is no excuse to let down one’s guard. Be safe, careful, and sane. Share this book’s title. Conquer fear through understanding the dangers and potential risks.

Will “Philia Phobia” (fear of being near friends) forever change our culture? How many different vaccines will we need annually to survive? What have we learned about America’s healthcare providers and insurance networks versus other countries performances? A great awakening to the dangers of other means of mass destruction will be a topic for years to come.

The novel of the year

Lawrence Wright has hit a grand slam. Obviously, this was written prior to covid.
As Wright is a first rate writer and journalist; this novel is more than a story. It is full of history and information on the pandemics of the past. Also, non- scientists like myself cannot help but learn how pandemics work. In addition, it is a darn good story and a page turner full of wonderful characters. If you don’t
have time to read it: listen to it! It is intense; sensitive readers may want to wait until the worst of covid has passed.

Great book about a Pandemic.

An erie similar story to recent events. An influenza virus rampages the world will the protagonist tries to contain it. His quarantine guidance traps him far from his family. Very enjoyable story, and very good narrator.