I’m new to the work of Will Carver so had no idea what to expect. This satirical take on the pandemic and 21st century life is simply superb. I listened to a very well narrated audio version and a few times had to rewind as I was laughing and missed a but. This book is, as they say, on point. A deeply satirical and highly entertaining read, filled with imagery that we can all relate to. People being herded like sheep. Staying home locked down because they were ordered to do so, Government duplicity and misinformation, a OM who’s been a politician so long he’s forgotten what truth means.
The story is told from the POV of a Japanese virologist working in a Chinese research lab. Sounds vaguely familiar? Move on to a deadly virus, bats, wet markets etc and the scene is set, But this giro,o gist wants to change the course of history and develop a virus that will induce compassion. One that will make people empathise with and care about others rather than being totally self centred.
There’s no way to adequately describe this title. The narrative style is short and sharp with profoundly insights wrapped into a few words. It’s a wake up call, conspiracy theorists will love it and others ought to reflect on how society is treated by world governments. I loved it. I’m listening to it again and that’s rare for me, Read it and think.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.

Okay, so a warning for those of a nervous disposition (or those who are inherent deniers of the most obvious things) - this is a pandemic novel. It's not the pandemic, of course. Let's face it - none of us need a reminder of that. Actually, it's worse. It's a Will Carver pandemic, and you know full well that is going to mean chaos of the most delightful variety. Much of what you read might sound scarily familiar, and all too plausible, but Mr Carver has, as he is prone to do, taken the terrifying situation and tipped it on its head.

Now, I'm not suggesting that Mr C took his inspiration directly from real life, but a few of the character names and traits might seem strangely familiar, such as British Prime Minister, Harris Jackson, a philanderer who thinks more about his own satisfaction, often at the expense of others, than delivering for his country, or even being faithful to his family ... Then there are the circumstances of the discovery of the virus in question - again eerily similar. But that is where the stories - fact and fiction. start to diverge. Yes - elements of the book the cynical amongst us would argue probably were directly lifted from real life, but there is one element, one factor very key to this book, that shows this is fiction, not a post covid memoir. Dr Haruto Ikeda.

Ikeda was one of the stand out characters of this book for me. As a virologist he has a key part to play in what comes to pass, but in a way that no reader could possibly have been expecting. For Ikeda, in spite of all that he learns and all of he knows, is an optimist. Ikeda believes that if he can just create a new, more potent virus, it can undo the effects of what is highly likely to devastate an entire generation. But, as they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and even the most positive of thoughts from Ikeda may not be enough to counter the dark intent of those in the real positions of power.

I loved the situation that Will Carver creates, that sense of not knowing quite who to trust, even when faced with people who you feel should be on the side of good. The political machinations, the carelessly flippant comments that fly in the face of diplomacy - all are captured in a way that both raises a smile and and brow, some of it having that kind of tragic plausibility that has no doubt been driven by the state of modern political leadership. So many moments where was left thinking more 'sounds about right' than 'yeah right' which is, on the face of it, pretty depressing.

And yet, despite this could on some level be classed as a depressingly accurate reflection of modern life, I was thoroughly entertained. Perhaps it was the characters. I loved Ikeda and his humble attempts to right a wrong that has yet to occur. I mean, it backfires spectacularly for reasons that only become clear as you near the end of the book, but it is not without some success and those moments of hope bring some light to the darkness. The there is Jackson who, as repugnant as his personality might be, brings about moments of laughter too. More at than with the guy, but still. The book is full of Will Carver's trademark sardonic wit. Those pithy observations that can amuse whilst simultaneously get your dander up, even if you're not always sure why or if you should be quite as angry about it as you inevitably feel. And that is the beauty of the book. Love or loathe what happens, you will feel something, if only because it is so close to the knuckle of a life not long led.

Now I both read a bit of the book and listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Ciaran Saward and, I have to say, is highly recommended. He had a brilliant way of bringing the characters and the story to life and I would most definitely listen to another of his narrated books. But as this is part of the Carververse, whether you listen or read the book, it is a fully immersive experience. There is such a cinematic quality to the writing that I felt all the heightened emotions, particularly in some of the more touching, and tragic moments towards the end of the book. So much loss, some many lost chances to say goodbye. It is understatedly moving, and understated is not something you always get from this author. I mean, less so the final scene we spend with Mr Jackson, perhaps, but then that was just plain funny. Gross, but funny. You'll know when you read it.

Much of what happens should perhaps be read with your tongue planted firmly in your cheek, but it does just make you ponder the very essence of human nature and whether humanity may be too far gone to be, or at least to deserve to be, saved. This is darkly humorous dystopian fiction of the highest order. A glimpse of what could have been, perhaps of what partially was. The butterfly effect in action, where the impact of one decision, one action, one comments, has ripples that grow ever stronger until they are felt around the world.

With a strangely poignant and, dare I say hopeful, ending, it's one of those books that I will think about for a while. But, and mostly because the pandemic was so impactful for many, it may well be a marmite book too. I loved it, possibly for all the very wrong reasons that make Mr Carver such a uniquely talented writer, but there you have it. Definitely recommended.

3.5🌟

This will be a divisive book I think, while I did really enjoy the writing and the narration I’m jaded with the Covid spin off stories, and I went through the majority of the book thinking the author had just rewritten history, you’ll recognise the political figures, while they’re written with humour and satire and were amusing I think I’m just over it. You’ll also recognise that everyone was suddenly an expert in everything, I’m over that too, but again these people were written with humour. With around 3 hours to the end things took a turn and I began to wonder where we were going, from this point in is really where, for me, the story picked up and gained my interest, I had no idea where things would go and it left me wondering what I would do. It’s possible that I missed it, but I’m unsure which period of time this was set, seemed futuristic but not too far into the future.

I really enjoy will carver’s work, it’s really no fault of his that I expected this to be believable due to Covid 19 I just didn’t expect t to cover so much of the same. If you like dystopian end of the world theories this will be right up your alley.

Huge thanks to Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧

This was a very absorbing and thought provoking novel, a little bit alternate history, a little speculative and a little satirical.

You know Will Carver’s style and palette, bleak, a smidge bizarre and with occasional brilliance.

Remember Covid? What it if was started deliberately as part of a government plot? And a leading virologist designed a vaccine will will increase the takers’ empathy? What if the pandemic was just the beginning and worse was to come?

British PM ‘Harris Jackson’ is clearly closely based on BoJo, but don’t let that put you off.

I enjoyed it, probably more than I expected to. A prior knowledge of Will Carver’s unconventional approach will probably add to the enjoyment.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio

Oh my goodness this is Will Carver at the top of his bleak writing game! I haven't stopped talking about this book since I heard about it and I have been recommending it (and all of Will's previous books) to everyone that I know.

In KTWK, Japanese virologist Dr Haruto Ikeda accidentally sees some information indicating that a deadly virus is going to be deliberately released so that it can be vaccinated against. He has been working on an antidote to the deadly Tau virus, but decides to also create an alternative virus on the quiet, which will spread compassion and kindness rather than killing people. He hopes to encourage people to think of others, take steps to help one another and think about society as a whole rather than selfish narcissism.

Dr Ikeda is of course right; the seven most powerful Governments in the world have decided that by releasing the Tau virus, they can scare their citizens into lockdown, and when they 'discover' the antidote, the world leaders will be lauded and celebrated by their citizens rather than condemned for their inaction. The UK's own PM, by the way, is a serial shagger and buffoon of a man called Harris Jackson who makes offensive jokes and expects everyone to fall at his feet - does that remind you of anyone who was in charge during the Covid years?
The world leaders find out that the virus has been released sooner than expected - and they wait with anticipation for the bodies to pile up so that they can sweep in and save the day. But it doesn't quite happen like that - the alternative kinder virus is slowly making its way round the world and random acts of kindness are popping up all over the place.

But this is Will Carver- we know its not going to be a jolly tale, and as a reminder, the book opens with all UK citizens having the chance to take a euthanasia pill (euphemistically called a Dignity pill) - so what has happened and how did the world's chance of happiness go so drastically off-direction?

Loved it, wished some parts of it weren't quite so depressingly true-and the merging of the storylines was wonderfully done. All the stars