The Fireman by Joe Hill (audiobook)

The Fireman
by Joe Hill [Compact Disc Hill]

This is a new release by Joe Hill. I’ve read one other book of his (NOS4A2) and enjoyed it. Plus, Joe Hill is one of Stephen King’s sons, and I love Stephen King’s work (as well as that of his wife, Tabitha). I was able to get my hands on the audiobook for this story, and I was immediately thrilled to find that Kate Mulgrew was the narrator. She’s got an incredible voice, and I’ve enjoyed her in a few of the roles I’ve seen her play in movies/TV. She made this book even better than it would’ve been if I’d read it quietly to myself!
The story takes place in modern day, but it’s what you might call post-apocalyptic or dystopian. That is to say, it’s basically the end of the world (as we know it)…. Millions of people have died off due to a “spore” called the Dragon Scale. It infects people, and they become covered in beautiful tattoo-like markings that are black but have an overlay of gold to them. The problem is that once infected with this spore, a person will randomly burst into flames and die. Nobody knows what causes the spore or how to prevent it from spreading. Harper, our protagonist, leaves her husband once she becomes infected, as he blames her for being a nurse and caring for the infected–she’s brought the infection home, and he’s NOT happy. After leaving her husband, things go from bad to worse, as Harper is trying to avoid being caught by Cremation Squads (who do “mercy killings” of the infected to prevent the spore from spreading). She stumbles onto a group of infected people hiding out, including a Brit known as The Fireman. The group may have discovered a way to prevent the inevitable self-destructive fires, but will they find it in time to save themselves?

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Stand, by Stephen King] [ official Joe Hill web site ]

Recommended by Tracy T.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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