Written in 2018 and finalized in 2019 this story imagines a future where a virus only affects males - and is 90% fatal, leaving the world with only 10% of the males due to an X-chromosome mutation. Told in first-person by a slate of female characters from different walks of life; a doctor, a scientist, politician, teacher, anthropologist. They have different reactions and experiences to the extreme loss of males; their husbands, sons, brothers, co-workers, friends. The profound grief is explored with each character and then...the adjustments they make as individuals and as a society that changes so drastically. Feminism and males as a minority is explored. Re-populating the human race made me wonder what it would be like if only 10% of the males in the world were eventually the ancestors of all the subsequent generations. The world eventually goes on.
I thought there were so many other perspectives the author could have detailed and was disappointed there wasn't more depth to the story. Many of the changes were to me "oh, yes, that would change." Not enough pilots or surgeons or engineers or mechanics. I suspect the book was pushed to release when the coronavirus became a reality. Despite those shortcomings, it would a rich source of discussion.
Quotes
"Gynarchy is the word we use for the takeover by women of the world, depriving men from taking their rightful places in society."
"I stand in the hallway breathing heavily for a a few seconds before breaking into a smile. I have never felt so powerful. This must be what men used to feel like. My mere physical presence is enough to terrify someone into running. No wonder they used to get drunk on it."
Published: 2021 Read: October 2021 Genre: Fiction
