Virus

by Graham Watkins

Doctors investigating the outbreak of an unknown disorder, discover a connection between the deadly epidemic and computers

Genres: Thriller, Fiction

413 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1995

About the author

Graham Watkins, a former researcher in parapsychology, has been publishing fiction since 1989. His works, available in 6 languages, include novels Dark Winds, The Fire Within, Kaleidoscope Eyes, Virus, and Interception; film script Hillbettys (Roger Corman, producer); and numerous short stories.

Reviews

[Lori Wilkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The book was written around 1995 which (to me) doesn't seem that long ago until you consider the subject matter. The story is essentially about a very advanced program with AI becoming infected with a computer virus. This program causes seizures and severe addiction in computer users. It could be considered a cautionary tale about the excess use of computers. It is fun to read it so many years after it was written - knowing computers the way we do now.

[Macy Buckner · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was probably amazing...in it's time. Post Y2K, it seems very silly.

[Joesyl Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend recommended me this book since I paraded around town, saying: Give me a classic and a masterpiece! Seriously, I ventured upon the book to discover how this typical virus, affect humans as well as computers. I found out, anyway.

The idea of computers compelled me and software, networks, bytes and the like had taken to my liking. The idea of being overly addicted to computers is not new to me. I've known friends who suffered diseases in front of the computer just because their addiction's getting the best out of them. Eventually, I found out the reason for my curiosity and I was hooked from beginning until end. The plot development was a superb but some important ideals and information came lacking, especially near the end part. The story also became overly interesting with the major character's involvement with each other (not to mention their feelings),and some minor characters who proved to be worth the time since their existence helped the plot development more as expected.

Still, the book was very satisfying and I even recommended it to our library for other students. This book is good :)

[Regis Bobe · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only good stuff about the book is its age. It is always great fun to read about high-tech and particularly computer ten year later. Everything seems so wrong and quite often out target.
This book is exactly what it seems and the fact that I read the very poor french translation didn't help to find more in it.
Honestly I had to jump from chapters and skip some second hand stories to finish the book before I have to close it for ever.
Other why, there is some in it, living nearly 20 years after its publication, you want to know how it will end.
Sorry for my spelling, I’m not equipped with penultimax yet…

[Gail · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea for this book was very interesting. It held my interest for quite awhile even though it was lacking in the area of character development and had too much computer jargen. By the time I had reached that last 80 pages though, I felt like I was reading the same conversations and situations over and over again. I was just ready for it to end..

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting reading about the 8088, the 386, 486 and the Pentium. WHOO WHOO, brought back a lot of memories. Interesting and engaging thriller about a virus that takes over the net constantly trying to reach perfection, addicting computer users so they will stay on line to insure constant access to the Internet. Keeps your interest; well written and enjoyable.

[Jasey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Predictable and bland like cold porridge. Reading this lump is a test of perserverance as nothing else within its pages will inspire you to read on apart from the sadistic need to finish what you have started. Banal characters, convienient plot developments and a story arc as interesting as a toilet flush.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago when it first came out, but never forgot it. You can't put it down! Just awesome! Fun fiction for geeks!

[Trinity Lizalde · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very decent read. This is a good read but very dated. If it was possible to reboot a book then this is in need of it.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was surprisingly good. I say surprisingly because the front cover (which is not the same as the one Goodreads is showing) features giant capital letters, a screaming face and assorted computer graphics which led me to expect something on the level of 'Neanderthal - Their Time Has Come!' But it was well written and fast paced and interesting, with interesting characters. It was written in 1995 so some of the things they don't think a 'normal' computer could do they now do, and much of the plot is tied to the use of the phone modem to access the 'World Wide Web' which was still such an esoteric thing that only experts and kids knew much about it, but that aside it was enjoyable. I hated the end because it was the kind of thing that for the 'oh no!' dismayed shock value the logic of the solution was tossed aside, but okay. I still liked it.