The International Writers Magazine: Book Review

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Another Place to Die – Sam North • Calvin Hussey With the case of the recent threats of a world-wide viral pandemic causing a media frenzy over recent years there has been a large void in the literary world to effectively reflect this growing concern in our modern society. However, Sam North’s Another Place to Die fills this void with a masterful, yet harrowing story of breathtaking realism and human struggle.

So if you, like many, have been sat there over the past few years in a tranquil manner, shrugging such fears off and living under the positive assumption that, "The government will have it all under control," then beware;
"Everything your Government said would protect you is a lie."

Set in Vancouver, Canada, Another Place to Die is a shocking and pragmatic account of citizens facing the terror of a global outbreak set to eradicate anyone it infects. The realization that the Government simply wasn’t as prepared as they’d made out has set in. No one feels safe and a hundred different thoughts and paranoia’s wash over those that are still struggling to survive; Where is safe? Who can you trust? Is it already too late? Normal life is deteriorating faster and faster with each passing moment, soldiers once sworn to protect are now under orders to shoot anyone breaking Government curfew on sight, and large burial pits are being prepared for the ever increasing number of corpses.

Everyone is terrified of their fellow man – no one is safe. There are no heroes. Everyone is a potential victim. However, throughout this depiction of human downfall there are those select few who refuse to fall without a fight. A 15 year old girl and her family to flee to a remote Island populated by others who live in hope of outrunning the virus, but amidst all the chaos and confusion the family quickly witness their fellow men reduced back to their most primal instincts. Elsewhere a future analyst runs to find the woman he loves. Together they not only face the virus itself, but also its hosts and the law enforcers whose oath to "serve and protect" is becoming increasingly perverse. Amongst the insanity the only question at hand is how long can they possibly survive? Finally there’s the taxi driver who refuses to run. Desperately grasping to the remainder of his shattered his life he chooses to stay and fight in anyway possible. In his fight he stumbles across a charismatic doctor, struggling to save a population that’s only interest is saving itself.

Another Place to Die is as much a horror to read as it is an enjoyment; however this is only a testament to North’s masterful story telling and strong research. Although enthralled by the text I was becoming increasingly aware of a shocking realization; this could actually happen, but despite this growing fear the book is impossible to put down. Despite feeling that the opening pages of the book featured a couple of uninspired and slightly contrived references to popular culture that younger readers may find unconvincing, this soon becomes a minor literary misdemeanor as the authors engaging storytelling pulls you deeper and deeper into his vivid narrative. Stunning, scarily feasible, and extremely engrossing throughout, Sam North's Another Place to Die will not fail to shock, delight, and keep its readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

© Calvin Hussey March 2008
god_loves_ugly@hotmail.co.uk

Calvin is studying for his Creative Writing Degree at the University of Portsmouth

Jumper (2008)
Director - Doug Liman
Calvin Hussey
Despite its intriguing premise Jumper seems to fall flat on its face in many key areas.

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