Review | Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay

In mere weeks, a rabies-like virus has spread and crippled the state of Massachusetts. The virus has a short incubation period and the infected succumb to it in just hours. Hospitals are overrun with the sick and emergency response is hastily put together. Now, people are under quarantine, pets are kept inside houses and the infected are left to their own devices.

Natalie is eight months pregnant and exposed to the virus in a horrifying incident. With the help of her long-time friend, Dr. Ramola Sherman, she is fighting for her survival and that of her unborn child.

This is not the end of a fairy tale, nor it is the end of a movie. This is a song.

Nothing like reading about a virus epidemic during a virus pandemic! Reading Survivor Song in the age of COVID-19 is quite surreal. There’s a scene taking place at a hospital that is eerily close to real life. The government’s emergency response, people in quarantine, the spread of misinformation through news, even the right-wing militia all make an appearance. It almost felt like I was reading the news at times which was pretty disconcerting. It added to the sense of hopelessness for the characters.

The book takes place over the course of just a few hours so the story moves in real-time. It is a close up on the characters ala Cloverfield so we don’t get the full dimension of the virus epidemic but it’s intense. The infected people are not the shuffling zombies we usually see in movies, instead, they are fast and violent. There are some brutal scenes! The respite comes from segments of Natalie’s recorded messages for her unborn baby where she talks about her difficult journey to safety and laments the possibility that she might not meet her own child.

The themes of friendship and sacrifice are presented beautifully but I wish I loved the two main characters more. Their dialogue feels too banter-y and the depth of their relationship is told rather than shown. Natalie’s typically sarcastic response felt tiring after a while and undercut the severity of the situation. Despite being a doctor, Ramola makes some puzzling decisions. I wasn’t convinced by her characterisation. There are a few supporting characters appearing briefly, the standouts being two teenage boys, Luis and Josh, who believe they’re living in a zombie movie. Their interactions provided some levity, and a final interlude focusing on them is my favourite part of the book.  The ending is satisfactory but I would have loved for a look at the immediate aftermath of the epidemic.

Overall, Survivor Song is a notable addition to the zombie apocalypse horror literature and uncannily fitting for our time. Give this a go if you love zombie stories!

CW: animal deaths

I received a digital copy from Titan Books and Netgalley for review purposes. Survivor Song is out now!

About the author: Paul Tremblay

Photo by Daniel Jensen