Pandastic Times: The Spell From the Deep Cave

by Amal Naj

From the author of A Story of Hot Pursuits—recognized by the New York Public Library as one of 25 books in its annual “Books to Remember” list in 1992 and by the James Beard Foundation for Best Writing on Food—comes the story of an urban world reclaimed by animals, as humans are forced into hiding by a mysterious and invisible spell that threatens to suffocate them to death. Who is this witch—humans think it’s a witch—who has reversed the order of life on Earth? Readers young and old may recognize the perpetrator of the spell that has upturned the world as human and animal worlds collide in this far-reaching, adventurous parable.

367 pages, Hardcover

Published December 4, 2023

About the author

Amal Naj was born in India and educated at Wilson College, Bombay, and Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He dropped out of Cambridge University to work as a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, where he covered a wide range of industries and subjects. After two decades at the paper, he quit and joined Pfizer Inc., in New York, and ran business operations as a senior executive for more than a decade. Presently he divides his time between writing and overseeing medicine companies he has founded.

Reviews

[Cheryl Rowland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amal Nan’s Pandemic Times: The Spell from the Deep Cave transports readers to a hauntingly enchanting alternate reality, where the world is gripped by a mysterious pandemic caused by a mysterious witches spell. Humanity’s survival is threatened by more than just a deadly disease. In this rich narrative, Nan weaves a tapestry of adventure, suspense, and social commentary that will captivate readers from beginning to end.

The scientist Mr. Whistlegood concocts a wild potion which includes parts of exotic animals as a supposed cure. His daughter,Cathrin, a courageous and rebellious young woman who refuses to accept the destruction of animals embarks on a voyage to stop her father's endeavor.

In this backdrop, urban spaces start re-wilding. The Whistlegoods backyard "neighbors" Mr. Coon, Mr. Mole and Miss Lizzy become part of the adventure to both thwart the cure and avoid becoming part of it.

A shadowy figure emerges: an e-commerce billionaire, driven by greed and power, who uses the chaos of the pandemic to push forward bogus cures and exploit the desperation of the masses. This powerful antagonist represents the worst of human ambition and manipulation, showing how the powerful thrive at the expense of the vulnerable during times of crisis. Nan expertly critiques the corporate greed that thrives during times of public fear, while also weaving in an urgent, relevant message about the importance of integrity and humanity in the face of unprecedented challenges.

Amal Nan has created a haunting, beautifully rendered alternate reality that will stay with readers long after the final page is turned.

[Carla Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this Title in a Goodreads Giveaway. This book is more like a children's book. It's for ages 10 and up. The story was well written and highly entertaining. It also has illustrations. I wasn't too enthused with the illustrations they left something to be desired. But overall the book was a very different look on the pandemic from the animals point of view. Not the same old boring story about the pandemic. That was a blessing. The animals are starting to take over the human world. The humans are staying inside and won't come out of their houses. In some major cities they are taking over the jobs that the humans used to do. (My question there is how are they doing that when they don't have thumbs?) I know, I'm supposed to use my imagination. There is also a robotic person in this story as well. In the middle of all of this is a young girl named Charin who just wants to stop people from hurting the animals in the faraway jungle. I'm going to say this book was very much out side of the box. Very very different. But I think you should read and make your own opinions on this book.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read!!

[Dr G · Rating 5 out of 5]

very different but I enjoyed the story

[Steven Ridgely · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written story

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a charming allegory, albeit about pandemics, nature, and the human effect on them. The book reads like the classic, The Secret Garden.