Typically people read fiction to escape, not as an academic exercise that you're making The Plague out to be.

Unless you're into rats I guess.

If you can handle it, watch the Stanley Kramer version of On the Beach.

Christopher, thank you for doing this: its so simple, yet reflects the facets of everything we are living during this era. There is one thing I have to take issue with: Seattle has a soul, not a big one but its there wanna see the true no soul experience? Please come to Vancouver BC, we sold out souls to China and the city is like a roofless mall.