Short Story Review: Patient Zero

Happy Saturday!

How the heck are ya? Good I hope!

I’m having a seven-day workweek due to our company’s year end (the struggle is definitely real right now), so in my down time from work I absolutely had to read something.

This time around I chose Patient Zero by Tananarive Due.

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A couple fun facts.

For starters this is a free short story to ready, courtesy of Lightspeed Magazine (see, it’s not from Tor like usual!).

To read it for free check it out here.

The other fun bit is that I’m starting to branch out with my short story selections.

Blurb

In “Patient Zero,” our narrator is a little boy in the hospital. He’s been in the hospital for a long, long time. In fact, he is not allowed to leave the hospital — and when people come to visit him, they must wear funny suits so that they don’t get sick. And as time goes on, and he has fewer and fewer visitors, he starts to wonder what’s going on outside…

GoodReads

Amazon

***Brief disclosure***

I am an Amazon affiliate and earn a tiny commission (at no cost to you) for purchases made through the Amazon links in this post. It’s a great way to help me keep things running on my blog if you’re already intrigued enough to make a purchase. 

The Review

patientzero

five-star-rating-md

I gave this short story five stars!

Man, did this give me all the feels! Talk about amazing. I absolutely loved this story.

In this short story, a ten-year old boy has been quarantined for having a strange virus that has infected the world. While his caretakers diminish in number, he questions the world around him and what is happening, praying for a way for everyone to be alright again.

This one pulled at my heartstrings.

The main character’s voice was truly authentic. I didn’t question for a second that he was a ten-year old. He cares and has a good heart, which made the situation even more saddening and heartwrenching.

The plot is pretty simple. He’s observing small but significant changes with the people around him while holding on to hope that the world outside will be okay someday soon. Simple, but executed flawlessly. I couldn’t get enough.

I honestly have no complaints, not a single one. If you’re looking for a phenomenal apocalyptic short story with heart in spades, this is the one to pick!

 

That’s A Wrap!

Well that’s it for this short story review. I hope you enjoyed it!

Have you read this story? Are there other short stories you’ve read that you simply have to gush about? Feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to start a conversation!

Have a great day!

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