For women, this probability does not increase to 100% because they have two X chromosomes. The character then went on to use male twins to explain why only 10% of the male population is immune and claiming it was "Basic genetic logic." (p162) I hold my hands up to not being a geneticist but if "the Plague requires the absence of a specific gene sequence.present in the X chromosome" and only "9 percent of men" have the necessary protection, this implies that each X chromosome has a 9% chance of creating immunity. My background is in physics so my biology knowledge is not the strongest however I found myself puzzling over one character's explanation of why it appeared to take 135 days (p160) for scientists to be able to explain that the vulnerability of males to the virus was related to the fact that they only had one X chromosome. In a way, I think it is unfortunate for the author that the global pandemic hit as she was writing this book as the general population will be more aware of the science of virology and genetics than previously. I was really intrigued by the premise of this book: what would happen if there was a virus that wiped out much of the male population? The author makes it clear that the book was drafted before the outbreak of Covid-19 however many readers will find it hard not to draw parallels when the real virus has a higher rate of severe illness and mortality in the male population than females. In The End of Men, Christina Sweeney-Baird creates an unforgettable tale of loss, resilience and hope.
Through these women and others, we see the uncountable ways the absence of men has changed society, from the personal-the loss of husbands and sons-to the political-the changes in the workforce, fertility and the meaning of family. MacLean Catherine, a social historian determined to document the human stories behind the "male plague " intelligence analyst Dawn, tasked with helping the government forge a new society and Elizabeth, one of many scientists desperately working to develop a vaccine. What follows is the immersive account of the women who have been left to deal with the virus's consequences, told through first-person narratives. The virus becomes a global pandemic-and a political one. By the time her warning is heeded, it is too late. Amanda MacLean reports this phenomenon, she is dismissed as hysterical. The year is 2025, and a mysterious virus has broken out in Scotland-a lethal illness that seems to affect only men. Only men are affected by the virus only women have the power to save us all. Set in a world where a virus stalks our male population, The End of Men is an electrifying and unforgettable debut from a remarkable new talent that asks: what would life truly look like without men?
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