 Horror fiction has always been a genre that is ideally situated to deal with and dissect the modern way of life. The use of macabre metaphors can be a powerful tool for looking at how we deal with real-life problems. However, in most cases, these type of horror stories are a reactive look at the events unfolding in the world; they are written in response to the events, rather than predicting them. After reading Paul Tremblay's Survivor Song, I am left with the feeling that we might be dealing with a modern-day Nostradamus, or perhaps some mad and crazy virologist who thought "hey I have a great idea for a story and an even better idea for a viral marketing campaign" (sorry I couldn't help myself). I chatted to Paul about his latest novel months before #generationLockdown, and the idea that as a planet we would be laid low by a viral outbreak was even hinted at never mind a full-blown reality. Sitting here almost seven months since first hearing about this book, I am beginning to worry about what his next book might be about; I don't think this planet can survive another Tremblay creation. There was a degree of trepidation, going into this novel, in a previous life, I spent many years working with and researching ways to more effectively cultivate the rabies virus in a laboratory situation. Don't worry; it was for nefarious reasons; we were doing it for Rabies testing kits. And, if there is one thing I hate in all forms of fiction is horrible science, there is a well-known zombie book, that uses a different microbiological reason for the zombie outbreak. While the idea has some validity, it's execution within the book angers me so much. Tremblay gets around this in several ways, most of which is handled by the fact that there are no zombies in this zombie novel. There I have said, and you are free to argue about this with me online, I have already spent the day building a custom hill in my backyard to die on over this. Secondly, he researched the hell out of this novel, and more importantly understood, and put into practice the sciences of virology and epidemiology into this book in one of the most coherently and correct ways I have ever seen in a "zombie novel". Don't worry though this isn't a dry novel filled with scientific terms and info dumps, Tremblay has perfectly incorporated the "boring science bits" seamlessly into one of the most heartbreakingly and terrifying stories of recent years. The premise of Survivor Song is relatively basic, Natalie, who is eight months pregnant and infected, along with her best friend, Dr Ramola "Rams" Sherman must battle their way through an early stage "super rabies" outbreak in Massachusetts, can they find safety, and can they deliver Natalie's baby before she succumbs to the virus. More importantly, will the baby be one of the infected when it is born, can this strain of the rabies virus cross the placental barrier? Well, that would be telling, wouldn't it? You'll have to go and buy a copy of this book and find out for yourself. At its heart, Survivor Song is a novel about the strength of friendships, the bonds between Natalie and Ramola, is sturdy and unbreakable; we should all be lucky to have a friendship this powerful. Tremblay's depiction of it never veers into slushy territory, this is an almost unsentimental discourse on bonds, don't get me wrong there is heart and soul to the friendship and the novel at large, it just never suffers from what can be best described as afternoon telly sentimentality. These two leads are both strong and well-rounded characters, and while this is mainly Natalie's story, you will find yourself connecting more with Ramola. There is a coldness to Natalie, that prevents you from adequately caring about her, it is best shown by the agreement she had made with her husband before she became infected at the start of the novel. I'll be honest it was a shocking revelation and a brave one as it goes against the cliched way in which pregnant women are often portrayed in horror novels. My take on it is Tremblay is commenting on how we as a species are heading towards a more selfish and self-centred mentality, with Ramola acting as a representation of the more kind and caring side of our psyche. However Tremblay isn't content with just leaving Natalie and to a lesser extent Ramola as an undeveloped pair of characters, throughout the story, Tremblay allows them to grow and develop, this best shown by the insertion of Natalie's recordings to her unborn child. These moments of respite from the events unfolding around them are a tender and moving part of this novel. By having Survivor Song take place over a few hours, allows Tremblay to stripe away many of the stylistic leanings that he is well known for, this is his most streamlined novel if you are a fan of his more ambiguous stories, you won't find any of this hear, this a lean and mean narrative that begins with one of the most heart in your throat, bite your fingernails, OMG this is so intense opening chapters you are likely to read, and never gives up right to the end of the book. There is an unstoppable rhythm at play here that will have you turning page after page as Tremblay delivers a masterclass in plotting and pace.  Survivor Song is never afraid to take multiple punches to the throat of modern America; there are blistering attacks on the current social and political landscape, from a bumbling and ineffectual President who cares more about the public perception of himself than the problem at large, to the woefully unprepared and underfunded healthcare system, and the bane of the idiotic anti-vaxxers. It never descends into socio-political ranting, Tremblay expertly splices these salient discussions into the story without ever disrupting the tension filled rhythm of the book. I loved his use of transcripts from social media posts and text messages, as they added a sense of reality and grounding for the story to unfold around. Survivor Song is a brutal and relenting novel, filled with explosive, violent episodes, but tempered with a sincere heart and a sense of poignancy, and littered with a wry sense of humour, and an easter egg that fans of Tremblay's previous novels will lap up with glee. This novel cements Tremblay's reputation as one of the most vital and essential novelists working in horror fiction. Just be sure to set aside a whole day to read this, as once you start you won't want to stop.    the heart and soul of horror fiction reviewsComments are closed.
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