In this thrilling debut, the author crafts a haunting and tender narrative that follows Bill and Penelope on a harrowing journey across a ravaged America to save their daughter. As survivors of the Shark Flu, which devastates the world after emerging from melting permafrost, they begin to rebuild their lives amidst the chaos. They cultivate a garden where their lawn once stood and adapt their home for survival, with Bill's psychology practice continuing in a barter system for food. However, everything changes when they hear their daughter's voice on the radio, announcing her involvement with a cult in Bishop, California. Determined to rescue her, they set off on a perilous trek through the hollowed-out remains of the country. Their odyssey takes them through scattered communities, revealing how, despite the world's transformation, their family's hopes and fears remain unchanged. The narrative unfolds with exquisite prose, blending dark humor and deep emotion, ultimately offering a moving portrait of a world and a marriage tested by extraordinary circumstances.
