Flu Shot

by Kendrick Lacey

Each year that we get through flu season without "the big one" happening, we relax and put next year out of mind. This novel by a practicing family physician is a story of survival. York Lancaster, ex-officer in the Canadian Special Services (Afghanistan) and his girlfriend Cat fight the flu, the elements – winter without plowed roads in southern New Brunswick – and the breakdown of global society as a killer flu pandemic wipes out the world as we know it. A thriller and a warning. The movie rights for this title are currently under consideration.

239 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

Reviews

[Veronique · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is set in New Brunswick, in the midst of a worldwide flu pandemic. People's bahaviours change drastically as they try to protect themselves from this flu. York Lancaster, the main character, saw it coming, and prepared himself. He finds himself having to take care of someone else, when he really wants to be alone. He doesn't trust people. They face many challanges, from avoiding capture to fighting off a bear.

Flu shot has a very interesting plot, and some pretty decent action. I didn't find it at all boring, and wanted to read it all through. However, it is quite obvious that it was a first book. The writer is clearly inexperienced, and there were some basic flaws.

The characters are very stereotypical. York, the lonely ex-military tough guy. Cat, the abused girlfriend and damsel in distress. The gang of bandits who burn houses, apparently led by a drug dealer who was on parole. York's backstory is pretty weird and fantastic.

I think it is worth reading though. It's entertaining, and has a unique story. I actually think a great movie could be made of it. The book wasn't terribly well-written, and the ending was mediocre, but the idea made it worth it. I also like that it's set in Canada, in my province, and makes mention of the town I live. It's cool to read this sort of story from a Canadian perspoective.

[Jim Fisher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I stopped reading this book, something I rarely ever do. All the time I was reading it, I kept thinking: "I can spend my time by reading a better book". YMMV.