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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Starting a new Will Carver book is always an event. You know that whatever you're about to read will consume you and change you in some way. A master of his craft, Carver has a style all his own that breaks the mould of what you expect in any genre. And once you’ve read one of his books you’ll be a fan for life and part of the #CarverCult.
His latest offering, Kill Them With Kindness, starts as boldly as you’d expect from Carver, with the impending euthanasia of the whole country as they await a deadly gas that would wipe us out painfully. The story then jumps back to a year earlier, where we meet Dr Haruto Ikeda, a Japanese scientist who accidentally discovers a document containing a timeline for releasing the deadly virus he’s currently studying. It will be a global catastrophe. So, he takes it upon himself to stop it happening and mutates the virus to infect people with kindness instead of killing them. But is compassion the answer to the world’s problems? Or is it about to be the biggest killer of them all…
Thought-provoking, witty, quirky, original and captivating, Carver has crafted another unforgettable thriller filled with scathing social commentary and shrewd observations. I was hooked from the first lines, completely immersed in every word of this all-too-real story. It is clear to see where Carver has been inspired by real people and events, giving it a timely and realistic feel that makes what you’re reading all the more terrifying. Like it could actually happen. I felt like I’d stepped into an alternative history and not a story born of a man’s impressive imagination. Carver’s books are best discovered for yourself, so I don’t want to say any more about the plot, only that this is a book that everyone should read.
Powerful, sharp, daring and uncompromising, this is another unmissable thriller from the incomparable Mr. Carver. Read it now!
His latest offering, Kill Them With Kindness, starts as boldly as you’d expect from Carver, with the impending euthanasia of the whole country as they await a deadly gas that would wipe us out painfully. The story then jumps back to a year earlier, where we meet Dr Haruto Ikeda, a Japanese scientist who accidentally discovers a document containing a timeline for releasing the deadly virus he’s currently studying. It will be a global catastrophe. So, he takes it upon himself to stop it happening and mutates the virus to infect people with kindness instead of killing them. But is compassion the answer to the world’s problems? Or is it about to be the biggest killer of them all…
Thought-provoking, witty, quirky, original and captivating, Carver has crafted another unforgettable thriller filled with scathing social commentary and shrewd observations. I was hooked from the first lines, completely immersed in every word of this all-too-real story. It is clear to see where Carver has been inspired by real people and events, giving it a timely and realistic feel that makes what you’re reading all the more terrifying. Like it could actually happen. I felt like I’d stepped into an alternative history and not a story born of a man’s impressive imagination. Carver’s books are best discovered for yourself, so I don’t want to say any more about the plot, only that this is a book that everyone should read.
Powerful, sharp, daring and uncompromising, this is another unmissable thriller from the incomparable Mr. Carver. Read it now!
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Well, it’s that time again where my brain is stretched to its full capacity, my well-thumbed thesaurus is close at hand, and the need to knuckle down and try and review yet another genius novel from Will Carver is upon me. I love this guy’s writing, but oh boy it’s a challenge to review…
With us all having experienced a pandemic in our recent history, much of this book will resonate with many of us, as many people died and the world slowed, but within the overarching despair small glimmers of compassion began to appear, hinting at humanity’s chance to redeem itself from its propensity for selfishness and self absorption. A global pandemic orchestrated by the most powerful nations in the world, and one still small voice that wants to circumvent its deadly outcomes by striving to make the world a better place, a kinder place, a compassionate place, lies at the heart of Kill Them With Kindness, Carver’s interrogation of global politics and chicanery…
Carver’s unstinting critique of the perpetrators of this fictional pandemic very much fits the adage of art imitating life and vice versa. The Prime Minister Harris Jackson is a floppy haired buffoon of a man, with “no valve that can shut off the poison that drips from his idiotic brain to his blathering mouth“. He is louche, entitled, a predatory fornicator and a man who believes himself to be coming to the country’s rescue to be forgiven of “all his bad decisions and infidelities and broken promises.”
I don’t know why, but he really reminded me of someone. It’ll come to me.
In actuality Jackson is one of the perpetrators of this global conspiracy to unleash a virus purely to assert control and to make a good deal of cash for himself and his chums in the process. As much as this is a fictional representation of the power that is held in the upper echelons of governments across the world, the uncomfortable truths it actually reveals resonate strongly throughout, and our position as disposable pawns in the bigger game is ruthlessly exposed. As they prepare to unleash this killer virus on the plebeian populace, a quiet, unassuming man takes it on himself to plan an entirely different outcome.
Dr Haruto Ikeda is himself a kind, philosophical man, as much a believer in science and spirituality, who sees the world’s troubles and wants to make a difference, “Ikeda is not concerned with turning bad people into good people. It’s about all people. It’s about action. It’s about making kindness real rather than a motivational poster that people quickly forget.” From his seemingly naive solution to the world’s ills, that it can really be made better by simply making people kinder, to his first faltering experiments in the lab, Ikeda is a man of probity and dignity, whose decency would be little appreciated by those who seek to prosper from others’ suffering. Supported by his equally compassionate and stalwart wife, Kimiko (behind every great man…) he goes about his business stealthily and secretly, and begins to see the difference his vaccine is beginning to make in the world, it seems that a form of compassionate nirvana is imminent. Carver uses this change in peoples’ morality and behaviour to include his eviscerating tangential rants at the general ills and stupidity of society. Social media, fake media, vacuous celebrities, immorality, vanity, animal cruelty, environmental destruction and viral conspiracy theories all come under his unstinting gaze, many of which will find the reader nodding sagely in agreement. As the world begins to turn into a more kind and compassionate one, so the naysaying Instacrap keyboard warriors appear to try and undo what Ikeda has worked so hard to achieve. Needless to say, you’ll be rooting for Ikeda throughout, despite the attempts of others to thwart him.
As I emerged blinking into the light from this assault on my intellectual capacity, so much of this book resonated with me, and I finished it with a competing sense of despair and hopefulness. Despair that so much of the bad stuff both globally, war, greed, suppression and locally, in terms of widespread solipsism, bias and self interest shows no signs of a turnaround, but maybe that sometimes the good people, the little people can make some kind of difference if only on a small scale. Well, that’s the dream. Once again Carver holds a mirror up to the world’s ills in his own inimitable style, calling out stupidity and denouncing global conspiracies. It’s a brainteasing, hackle-raising read, but pertinent and darkly funny as always.
Embrace the madness and remember if nothing important happened today, you really should have been reading this book instead.
Highly recommended.
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a tricky one. I've loved everything I've read by Will Carver... up until this book.
I didn't gel with this book for a few reasons. For a start, I was hoping that as it deals with themes like kindness and pandemics, I wouldn't find this preachy, but it did come across that way.
Much of the story felt like a fictionalised account of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I just didn't care to relive that so closely.
The book is written in quite a factual style, and I found it difficult to connect with or care about the characters. The narration of the audiobook was quite emotionless, which may have contributed to this.
Although there were moments of subtle, dry humour, the writing became repetitive and bored me after a while. I found myself tuning out and having to rewind in case I'd missed something vital (I hadn't). I stuck with it because I'd been offered this as a review copy, so wanted to see it through. The ending did take a turn, pick up and become more interesting, but overall this book wasn't for me.
I didn't gel with this book for a few reasons. For a start, I was hoping that as it deals with themes like kindness and pandemics, I wouldn't find this preachy, but it did come across that way.
Much of the story felt like a fictionalised account of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I just didn't care to relive that so closely.
The book is written in quite a factual style, and I found it difficult to connect with or care about the characters. The narration of the audiobook was quite emotionless, which may have contributed to this.
Although there were moments of subtle, dry humour, the writing became repetitive and bored me after a while. I found myself tuning out and having to rewind in case I'd missed something vital (I hadn't). I stuck with it because I'd been offered this as a review copy, so wanted to see it through. The ending did take a turn, pick up and become more interesting, but overall this book wasn't for me.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advance review copy.
emotional
mysterious
I had read another book about a virus that if it doesn't kill you, it will change your view to extreme unselfishness to the point of forgetting about self, if it can help the greater good. This book takes that in a slightly different direction with the specially engineered virus created by Dr Haruto Ikeda in response to a terrible virus created by a shadow cabal made up of various nations politicians wanting to release it in return for power and profits. Dr. Ikeda's virus brings kindness to the forefront, without the compulsion that they have to do it, which creates interesting and sometimes problematic issues, depending on what the people affected actually think might be kindness. Harm can still be done if it helps the greater good. You get lots of different views in this book, tracking Dr Haruto Ikeda's virus and how people react to the changes. It is easy and heartbreaking getting the story from Dr. Ikeda's point of view as all he had done was try to stop a deadly pandemic and try to get humanity to make better choices and not destroy others in their path to power.
However the last few hours of the book took a turn that I was not expecting and kept me frantically listening as it got darker and darker. It hits hard with what people may be capable of and the cost can be millions of lives though little acts of kindness and decency can still make the impact needed to change the world for better, even at the end. I will be thinking about this book for a good long while and try to make this world a little better with just a little more kindness.
The narrator did a wonderful job in making this story seem very real and the people in it, both good and not so kind. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to listen to this really good audiobook.
However the last few hours of the book took a turn that I was not expecting and kept me frantically listening as it got darker and darker. It hits hard with what people may be capable of and the cost can be millions of lives though little acts of kindness and decency can still make the impact needed to change the world for better, even at the end. I will be thinking about this book for a good long while and try to make this world a little better with just a little more kindness.
The narrator did a wonderful job in making this story seem very real and the people in it, both good and not so kind. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to listen to this really good audiobook.
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Question what happened
Question what's happening
Question what you think could happen
Question what's happening
Question what you think could happen
KillThemWithKindness
On the mark and unsettling, this book really made me think
Another top piece of writing from Will Carver
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In the wake of a shocking pandemic, the world faces a threat even more deadly. A poisonous cloud is heading for the UK and there is no way to escape the devastation it brings. In a desperate attempt to ease the passing of its population, the UK government has issued a 'Dignity Pill' to its citizens - better to fall into a sleep from which you will not awake than face the alternative...
In China, Japanese scientist, Dr Haruto Ikeda, has been trying to save the world's suffering in quite a different way - by mutating a deadly virus into one which makes people nicer. However, his noble cause has not gone quite the way he expected... Can humanity be saved by an outbreak of kindness, or will it prove to be the biggest killer of all?
Following his grisly visits to the Beresford, in his excellent last two books, Will Carver is back to his dark and twisted imaginings in the world at large with the intriguing Kill Them With Kindness. Carver, being Carver, this is a difficult book to sum up. However its inspiration clearly lies in the horribly real global pandemic that marked all our lives in recent years, and it is rather difficult to separate out fact from fiction when it comes to many of the events in this story - particularly given hindsight.
The story unfurls mostly via two slow-burn, supremely twisted threads, flipping between dodgy political circles in the UK, and the world of science via to Dr Ikeda in China. It also ranges far and wide to drop in on moments in the lives of a disparate cast of characters, in that way Carver does so well. The premise is brilliant, building on our fears to create a speculative tale about those determined to hold power at the cost of unhinged levels of collateral damage. Themes of control, corruption, and gob-smacking amounts of spin-doctoring run riot through the story - and at no time do they seem unrealistic, given what we now know about the things that can happen, and how some take advantage for their own ends (spot the disgusting prime minister and his cronies).
This is by far the most disturbing book I have read by Will Carver, which is saying a lot. Carver's philosophical social commentary about humanity is powerfully hard hitting, and the real world parallels leave a bitter taste in the mouth. However, this is not a book without hope, as the best intentions of Dr Haruto Ikeda to make the world a nicer place have interesting consequences - even if they are not quite the ones he foresees. There are golden moments of Carver's typical pitch black humour throughout too.
I am not sure I can truthfully say I 'enjoyed' this book, because it touches an unsettling nerve, but I could not look away from it. Will Carver's dark magic does the trick once more...
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Okay, so a warning for those of a nervous disposition (or those who are inherent deniers of the most obvious things) - this is a pandemic novel. It's not the pandemic, of course. Let's face it - none of us need a reminder of that. Actually, it's worse. It's a Will Carver pandemic, and you know full well that is going to mean chaos of the most delightful variety. Much of what you read might sound scarily familiar, and all too plausible, but Mr Carver has, as he is prone to do, taken the terrifying situation and tipped it on its head.
Now, I'm not suggesting that Mr C took his inspiration directly from real life, but a few of the character names and traits might seem strangely familiar, such as British Prime Minister, Harris Jackson, a philanderer who thinks more about his own satisfaction, often at the expense of others, than delivering for his country, or even being faithful to his family ... Then there are the circumstances of the discovery of the virus in question - again eerily similar. But that is where the stories - fact and fiction. start to diverge. Yes - elements of the book the cynical amongst us would argue probably were directly lifted from real life, but there is one element, one factor very key to this book, that shows this is fiction, not a post covid memoir. Dr Haruto Ikeda.
Ikeda was one of the stand out characters of this book for me. As a virologist he has a key part to play in what comes to pass, but in a way that no reader could possibly have been expecting. For Ikeda, in spite of all that he learns and all of he knows, is an optimist. Ikeda believes that if he can just create a new, more potent virus, it can undo the effects of what is highly likely to devastate an entire generation. But, as they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and even the most positive of thoughts from Ikeda may not be enough to counter the dark intent of those in the real positions of power.
I loved the situation that Will Carver creates, that sense of not knowing quite who to trust, even when faced with people who you feel should be on the side of good. The political machinations, the carelessly flippant comments that fly in the face of diplomacy - all are captured in a way that both raises a smile and and brow, some of it having that kind of tragic plausibility that has no doubt been driven by the state of modern political leadership. So many moments where was left thinking more 'sounds about right' than 'yeah right' which is, on the face of it, pretty depressing.
And yet, despite this could on some level be classed as a depressingly accurate reflection of modern life, I was thoroughly entertained. Perhaps it was the characters. I loved Ikeda and his humble attempts to right a wrong that has yet to occur. I mean, it backfires spectacularly for reasons that only become clear as you near the end of the book, but it is not without some success and those moments of hope bring some light to the darkness. The there is Jackson who, as repugnant as his personality might be, brings about moments of laughter too. More at than with the guy, but still. The book is full of Will Carver's trademark sardonic wit. Those pithy observations that can amuse whilst simultaneously get your dander up, even if you're not always sure why or if you should be quite as angry about it as you inevitably feel. And that is the beauty of the book. Love or loathe what happens, you will feel something, if only because it is so close to the knuckle of a life not long led.
Now I both read a bit of the book and listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Ciaran Saward and, I have to say, is highly recommended. He had a brilliant way of bringing the characters and the story to life and I would most definitely listen to another of his narrated books. But as this is part of the Carververse, whether you listen or read the book, it is a fully immersive experience. There is such a cinematic quality to the writing that I felt all the heightened emotions, particularly in some of the more touching, and tragic moments towards the end of the book. So much loss, some many lost chances to say goodbye. It is understatedly moving, and understated is not something you always get from this author. I mean, less so the final scene we spend with Mr Jackson, perhaps, but then that was just plain funny. Gross, but funny. You'll know when you read it.
Much of what happens should perhaps be read with your tongue planted firmly in your cheek, but it does just make you ponder the very essence of human nature and whether humanity may be too far gone to be, or at least to deserve to be, saved. This is darkly humorous dystopian fiction of the highest order. A glimpse of what could have been, perhaps of what partially was. The butterfly effect in action, where the impact of one decision, one action, one comments, has ripples that grow ever stronger until they are felt around the world.
With a strangely poignant and, dare I say hopeful, ending, it's one of those books that I will think about for a while. But, and mostly because the pandemic was so impactful for many, it may well be a marmite book too. I loved it, possibly for all the very wrong reasons that make Mr Carver such a uniquely talented writer, but there you have it. Definitely recommended.
Now, I'm not suggesting that Mr C took his inspiration directly from real life, but a few of the character names and traits might seem strangely familiar, such as British Prime Minister, Harris Jackson, a philanderer who thinks more about his own satisfaction, often at the expense of others, than delivering for his country, or even being faithful to his family ... Then there are the circumstances of the discovery of the virus in question - again eerily similar. But that is where the stories - fact and fiction. start to diverge. Yes - elements of the book the cynical amongst us would argue probably were directly lifted from real life, but there is one element, one factor very key to this book, that shows this is fiction, not a post covid memoir. Dr Haruto Ikeda.
Ikeda was one of the stand out characters of this book for me. As a virologist he has a key part to play in what comes to pass, but in a way that no reader could possibly have been expecting. For Ikeda, in spite of all that he learns and all of he knows, is an optimist. Ikeda believes that if he can just create a new, more potent virus, it can undo the effects of what is highly likely to devastate an entire generation. But, as they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and even the most positive of thoughts from Ikeda may not be enough to counter the dark intent of those in the real positions of power.
I loved the situation that Will Carver creates, that sense of not knowing quite who to trust, even when faced with people who you feel should be on the side of good. The political machinations, the carelessly flippant comments that fly in the face of diplomacy - all are captured in a way that both raises a smile and and brow, some of it having that kind of tragic plausibility that has no doubt been driven by the state of modern political leadership. So many moments where was left thinking more 'sounds about right' than 'yeah right' which is, on the face of it, pretty depressing.
And yet, despite this could on some level be classed as a depressingly accurate reflection of modern life, I was thoroughly entertained. Perhaps it was the characters. I loved Ikeda and his humble attempts to right a wrong that has yet to occur. I mean, it backfires spectacularly for reasons that only become clear as you near the end of the book, but it is not without some success and those moments of hope bring some light to the darkness. The there is Jackson who, as repugnant as his personality might be, brings about moments of laughter too. More at than with the guy, but still. The book is full of Will Carver's trademark sardonic wit. Those pithy observations that can amuse whilst simultaneously get your dander up, even if you're not always sure why or if you should be quite as angry about it as you inevitably feel. And that is the beauty of the book. Love or loathe what happens, you will feel something, if only because it is so close to the knuckle of a life not long led.
Now I both read a bit of the book and listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Ciaran Saward and, I have to say, is highly recommended. He had a brilliant way of bringing the characters and the story to life and I would most definitely listen to another of his narrated books. But as this is part of the Carververse, whether you listen or read the book, it is a fully immersive experience. There is such a cinematic quality to the writing that I felt all the heightened emotions, particularly in some of the more touching, and tragic moments towards the end of the book. So much loss, some many lost chances to say goodbye. It is understatedly moving, and understated is not something you always get from this author. I mean, less so the final scene we spend with Mr Jackson, perhaps, but then that was just plain funny. Gross, but funny. You'll know when you read it.
Much of what happens should perhaps be read with your tongue planted firmly in your cheek, but it does just make you ponder the very essence of human nature and whether humanity may be too far gone to be, or at least to deserve to be, saved. This is darkly humorous dystopian fiction of the highest order. A glimpse of what could have been, perhaps of what partially was. The butterfly effect in action, where the impact of one decision, one action, one comments, has ripples that grow ever stronger until they are felt around the world.
With a strangely poignant and, dare I say hopeful, ending, it's one of those books that I will think about for a while. But, and mostly because the pandemic was so impactful for many, it may well be a marmite book too. I loved it, possibly for all the very wrong reasons that make Mr Carver such a uniquely talented writer, but there you have it. Definitely recommended.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Kill them with kindness by Will carver is fantastic executed speculative thriller. At first glance I thought it has similarities to what the world went through with Covid, but I was so wrong this was so much more than that. It’s about one Japanese scientist that creates vaccine against a deadly virus. When given to the recipient he has made it that people change and show more kindness. But when this is implemented, things don’t go as he planned it too.
This is the second book from this author I have read, and I thought this was such a good read that I got fully immersed in. Don’t get me wrong the storyline was quite factual at times but also has a sense of dry humour that kept me wanting more. I won’t go into any more detail. You will have to read it yourself. I highly recommend. 5 stars from me.