Trying to remember another virus dystopian fantasy....

[Kimberly]

Hello expert readers! I am trying to remember the title of a book. I read it right after it came out, but can't remember when (some years ago (3? 5? 10?)). Characteristics: dystopian fantasy, a virus was spread from Europe to New York, people who caught the virus typically died within 24 - 36 hours (I think), some people survived (why?), the world essentially stopped, for some period of time the protagonist lived in an airport, she traveled through the south, there was magic, something about tankers off the coasts around the world, her baby is special???? Does this ring a bell for anyone?

[CBRetriever]

Possibly Station Eleven?

[Kimberly]

Ok for heaven's sake. I feel a bit silly asking about it when Station Eleven is being discussed all over the place right now.

With that said, I am sure that you are correct - I think I was conflating two books together in my memory, but when I read about Station Eleven it is ticking many of the boxes in my mind - traveling actors, Museum of Civilization, the religious zealots, the graphic novel.

I didn't realize it at first because in my memory, the book had a single word title and a white cover and the protagonist was pregnant - I think all that came from some other book that I likely read around the same time.

Thanks for your response. There were interesting paragraphs in the book talking about the shutting down of power plants and manufacturing.

[Karin]

CBRetriever wrote: "Possibly Station Eleven?"

Okay, but no tankers and she didn't have a baby :). Also, there was no magic and she didn't travel through the south, but in the Great Lakes area. I just reread it. Plus it goes back and forth from before the pandemic to 20 years later most of the time. BUT the main woman in it was only in an airport for the very last tiny bit of the book. However, there were other characters in that airport longer.

I have read more than one dystopian set after a huge pandemic, but don't remember the titles other than Station Eleven. I was all set to say it wasn't Station Eleven based on your first post. Many of them have viruses that kill quickly and start in Europe or other places and come to North America and life comes to a standstill. I just can't remember the doggone titles! I remember reading one when my kids were young but wasn't on any online reading groups so cannot find the title--it would have been a library book. But I've read others as well.

I, for one, am tired of the stereotyping of post-apocalyptic religious sects that exist solely to manipulate and control, since obviously they don't all do that now. I am tired of many overused tropes in dystopian novels and that's only one of a number of them.

[Kimberly]

I am going to reread Station Eleven now. And, I am also going to keep searching my bookshelves. I remember the tankers - in a dystopian environment - and some magic - or some kind of something special about the coming baby, which was right at the end. I think the book I am thinking about was set up as the first in a series, also.

But again, I could be mixing several books up. The more I think about it the more uncertain I become.

[Cheryl]

I have read Station Eleven twice; it's that good.

I'm intrigued by the other book you're conflating with it, the one with the white cover and the special baby. If all you experts with good memories can keep thinking on that, I hope you come up with it! :)

[Sarah]

Kimberly I haven’t read either one of these, but maybe there is some potential to be a match for what you want?

The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison

- but I doubt there is any magic, and I don’t see any information about a special child or baby- I’m just assuming there are some babies born since it’s about a midwife (or a woman who becomes one)

Swan Song by Robert McMammon - post apocalyptic, maybe tankers? Special child noted in blurb.

But neither is a one word title with a white cover. Sorry! Maybe you’d like to read them Anyway? Lol

[Anna]

I also thought of The Book of the Unnamed Midwife, but I don't recall there being any magic. "Special" babies, yes, but not magical babies.

[Anna]

White cover and one word title makes me think of Bumped, which is a YA dystopia with a virus.

(I doubt that's what you're looking for, and I definitely don't recommend it!)

[Julia]

Kimberly,

I've read Station Eleven, and Bumped, but could you be thinking of Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich?

[Kimberly]

I haven't read Bumped, nor have I read Future Home of the Living God - although it looks really interesting and I think I will give it a try. I am scouring my bookshelves because this was before I got into audible books. I have a bunch of books packed up as we have been cleaning, I have a feeling I am going to be going through boxes. Starting my re-read of Station 11 today. I will let you all know if I find anything on the shelves here.