The Revivalist : a novel by Christopher M. Hood
Are you ready for a road trip? A road trip like no other that is for sure. The Revivalist : a novel by Christopher M. Hood is set in post-apocalyptic America. Years following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Shark-flu pandemic emerges where 70% of the population has died and modern conveniences and ways of knowing have vanished. We are introduced to main characters Bill and his wife, Penelope, “dippers” who survived the pandemic only to face their lives and the world around them in a stark and creative manner.
The Shark-flu separates Bill and Penelope from their college-aged daughter, Hannah, on different sides on the continent. Resorting to communication by Ham radio they discover their daughter is about to join a dangerous cult. Thus, begins their journey on a cross-country road trip to rescue their daughter.
This debut novel poses the question - “how far would you be willing to go for a loved one?” The story is a love story between husband and wife, and their love for their daughter and the ends they will go to keep their family together. This book also explores how society unravels in the wake of this destructive pandemic and illustrates the creativity and inventiveness of those left to do their best to survive. This book should be on your 'to read' list.
Not a fan of:
loads of F-bombs being dropped. But to be fair, living in post-apocalyptic America can’t be easy
the N word (in any form, abbreviation or not) or the F-slur - one time is once too many for me
would have liked a bit more story time ‘in the cult’
I really like:
the strong connection of ‘family
the hints of Homer's "The Odyssey’ mirrored throughout the book
the detailed-description of the destruction of modern conveniences and the prospect of societal norms unraveling
the excellent character development and description.
"It's hard to imagine a story more necessary than now about humanity somehow persisting in the face of civilization’s collapse.” Matthew Thomas, New York Times best-selling author of We Are Not Ourselves