“Exploring the themes in Camus’ original story,  Chong thrusts his characters into the current political and cultural arena with exciting results.”

 

It started with the rats dying in record numbers. Then other small animals began to die. When people start suffering from flu-like symptoms, they know something is wrong. Dr Bernard Rieux desperately searches for a cure, aided by an American writer, Megan Tso, and Raymond Siddhu, a city hall reporter barely hanging on to his job. When the quarantine begins, the city goes into panic mode. Tensions rise, and the best they can hope for is a way to persevere through all the pain and suffering.

Why we’re excited about this book:

Influenced by The Plague by Albert Camus, Kevin Chong updates the timeline and places the scenario in our modern world. Full of dark humour, Chong still maintains a firm eye on the mysterious complexities of human behaviour. Exploring the themes in Camus’ original story,  Chong thrusts his characters into the current political and cultural arena with exciting results. Ormsby Review says: “Chong’s novel is a compelling work of storytelling, which stands on its own feet, quite independent of Camus’ work.” Chong is the author of Northern Dancer, Neil Young Nation, and Beauty Plus Pity. The Plague will be published through Arsenal Pulp Press 24 April 2018, and is available for pre-order right now. 

BOB PASTORELLA