How to Survive a Plague
How to Survive a Plague
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2016
Book Brief
179
Novel • Fiction
United States • 1980s-1990s
•
World History•
LGBTQ+2016
Middle grade
18+ years
Super Short Summary
How to Survive a Plague by David France recounts the history of the AIDS epidemic and the relentless fight by activists from groups such as ACT UP and TAG to advance medical research, promote awareness, and secure treatments, portraying their struggles against societal indifference, discrimination, and institutional neglect that ultimately lead to life-saving advancements. The book details the impact of AIDS on multiple communities, graphically describing the suffering and death associated with the disease.
Informative
Challenging
Emotional
Inspirational
Dark
Reviews & Readership
4,500 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
David France's How to Survive a Plague receives acclaim for its in-depth, personal account of the AIDS epidemic and the activism it spurred. Critics praise its thorough research and emotional impact. However, some mention its dense detail can be overwhelming. Overall, it's a powerful and informative read that effectively captures a crucial era in LGBTQ+ history.
Who Should Read How to Survive a Plague?
Readers who are captivated by the intersection of social activism, medical history, and poignant human stories will find How to Survive a Plague compelling. Comparable to And the Band Played On by Randy Shilts, this book appeals to those interested in the fight against the AIDS epidemic and LGBTQ+ history.
4,500 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
How to Survive a Plague was a finalist for the 2016 National Book Award for Nonfiction, highlighting its critical acclaim and significance in chronicling the fight against AIDS.
The author, David France, is an award-winning journalist who also directed a documentary of the same name, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2013.
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France’s book draws from his personal experiences, having been a witness and journalist during the AIDS epidemic, and includes a wealth of first-person accounts from activists of the time.
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179
Novel • Fiction
United States • 1980s-1990s
•
World History•
LGBTQ+2016
Middle grade
18+ years
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