Can’t Wait Wednesday : The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird
19 August 2020
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Can't wait Wednesday, Christina Sweeney-Baird, The End of Men, Wishful Endings
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is : The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird. Here, take a look:
Set in a world where a virus stalks our male population, The End of Men is an electrifying and unforgettable debut from a remarkable new talent that asks: what would our world truly look like without men?
Only men are affected by the virus; only women have the power to save us all.
The year is 2025, and a mysterious virus has broken out in Scotland–a lethal illness that seems to affect only men. When Dr. Amanda MacLean reports this phenomenon, she is dismissed as hysterical. By the time her warning is heeded, it is too late. The virus becomes a global pandemic–and a political one. The victims are all men. The world becomes alien–a women’s world.
What follows is the immersive account of the women who have been left to deal with the virus’s consequences, told through first-person narratives. Dr. MacLean; Catherine, a social historian determined to document the human stories behind the “male plague;” intelligence analyst Dawn, tasked with helping the government forge a new society; and Elizabeth, one of many scientists desperately working to develop a vaccine. Through these women and others, we see the uncountable ways the absence of men has changed society, from the personal–the loss of husbands and sons–to the political–the changes in the workforce, fertility and the meaning of family.
In The End of Men, Christina Sweeney-Baird creates an unforgettable tale of loss, resilience and hope.
Expected publication : April 2021
The premise sort of reminds me of Y the Last Man – I’ll be curious to see what it’s like!
What is up with all the pandemic books?? It’s so weird, they are everywhere😬 This one is new to me and does sound good.
I couldn’t help wondering how it would compare to Ration? I know the premise is different in some respects but I’m very curious.
Lynn 😀
Hopefully, by the time this comes out we might have a better outlook on the present, very real pandemic: it will make reading this fascinating premise a much easier task! 😉
Yes indeed – I really hope for a better outlook.
Lynn 😀
That poses a rather curious question. I’ve seen this book around a few weeks ago. I can’t wait to see some reviews for it!
Yeah, I already have questions so can’t wait to see how the author handles things.
Lynn 😀
Blimey – it must be in the air! I’ve just finished reading Lauren Beukes AFTERLAND and that’s life in the world after 90% of men have been offed by a pandemic. I think if I was a man right now, I’d be starting to feel a tad nervous!
That said – this looks like a strong premise, Lynn. I hope you enjoy it – AFTERLAND gave me nightmares 2 nights in a row, but then I’m a complete wuss!
Ooh, I can’t wait to see what you made of the Beukes (nightmares aside that is).
Lynn 😀
Yes… I sat down and wrote my review yesterday as I had to give myself some thinking time. It left me in something of a muddle!
Mmm, I did start it but it’s not grabbing me atm. I might have to leave it to one side for a couple of weeks.
Lynn 😀
Well you know I do love a good apocalyptic/post-apocalytptic/dystopian what-have-you. 🙂 I will definitely be looking out for reviews on this one to see if I want to add it to the TBR. 🙂
I’m very curious about this one – it’s not an easy one to pull off and it’s the sort of premise that gives me questions before I even start so I’m kind of looking forward to picking it up to see how the author handles things.
Lynn 😀
There is definitely a move towards publishing pandemic books at the moment! 😂 It does sound really interesting though!
Yes, I’ve noticed that too – I’m interested to see how this one works out – I’ve already got questions and I’m wondering how the author will handle certain aspects.
Lynn 😀
I got a galley of this and I’m really looking forward to reading it, Like Mogsy said above it reminds me of Y The Last Man which is great.
Yes, I’ve not read that but I must check it out.
Lynn 😀