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Outbreak
Based on the film of the same name starring Dustin Hoffman, this is the story of a doctor fighting a virus created by the British secret service in Africa. He begins to notice that people in the US are dying of a similar mysterious illness. As he begins to investigate he uncovers foul play.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 11, 2015
So a few days ago I was visiting a friend and happened to notice this little paperback sitting on one of her occasional tables. I had seen the movie of course, quite a few years ago and remembered enjoying it.
Well books are always better than the movie, right. That was my thinking anyway as I borrowed her little book and carted it home. At the time I was reading a mediocre book and so it was that I picked up Outbreak as soon as I was done.
I read twenty odd pages and whilst scratching my head I paused long enough to read the cover. Things became clearer. This was not as I had originally presumed the book the movie was based on, but rather a book based on the movie. Full stop. Why in all that is logical would anybody do such a thing? I clung to a hope that should not have been possible (as I had already read twenty odd pages) that perhaps it would offer some insight, drama or characterization that the movie was short on. Phffffft!
I don’t think a lot of time or effort went into the writing of this and it sure did not exhaust either to read it through quickly.
Then again I have had a lot more fun and a great deal more stimulation watching grass grow.
If you are at all interested and have not already done so, watch the movie folks. I remember liking Dustin Hoffman in his role as Dr. Sam Daniels.
On the other hand this book………………………………….yawn.
Well books are always better than the movie, right. That was my thinking anyway as I borrowed her little book and carted it home. At the time I was reading a mediocre book and so it was that I picked up Outbreak as soon as I was done.
I read twenty odd pages and whilst scratching my head I paused long enough to read the cover. Things became clearer. This was not as I had originally presumed the book the movie was based on, but rather a book based on the movie. Full stop. Why in all that is logical would anybody do such a thing? I clung to a hope that should not have been possible (as I had already read twenty odd pages) that perhaps it would offer some insight, drama or characterization that the movie was short on. Phffffft!
I don’t think a lot of time or effort went into the writing of this and it sure did not exhaust either to read it through quickly.
Then again I have had a lot more fun and a great deal more stimulation watching grass grow.
If you are at all interested and have not already done so, watch the movie folks. I remember liking Dustin Hoffman in his role as Dr. Sam Daniels.
On the other hand this book………………………………….yawn.
May 16, 2024
Content warning:
blood, terminal illness, divorce, mass murder, bombings
Dislikes:
There were grammatical issues. There were spelling issues and periods in places where question marks should have been.
Likes:
The sickeningly detailed descriptions of the disease.
The characters. Walter is the newest member of the team. He’s respectful, neat and intelligent. Casey is the jokester of the group. Sam is the work-oriented professional. Robbie is headstrong, stubborn and smart.
Dates were included so we knew exactly how much time had passed.
Third-person POV. I typically prefer first-person, but in this case, third-person was the best choice because it allowed us to better see how quickly the virus was spreading. It added to the high stakes and suspense. If we only got Sam’s point of view, we wouldn’t have gotten that.
There was a good mixture of gloom and humor. People were dying left and right, and the characters made sure to lighten the mood with jokes. It made the story more enjoyable; I’m not sure I would have liked it if it was all about death and grief.
Recommendation: If you’re looking for another book about pandemics, epidemics or outbreaks, I recommend Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. Happy reading! :)
Dislikes:
There were grammatical issues. There were spelling issues and periods in places where question marks should have been.
Likes:
The sickeningly detailed descriptions of the disease.
His eyes were wide open and blood red, his flesh speckled with hemorrhages, as if there were a pulpy mass trapped under his skin. Thick, syrupy blood oozed from his ears, his mouth, his nipples.
The characters. Walter is the newest member of the team. He’s respectful, neat and intelligent. Casey is the jokester of the group. Sam is the work-oriented professional. Robbie is headstrong, stubborn and smart.
Dates were included so we knew exactly how much time had passed.
Third-person POV. I typically prefer first-person, but in this case, third-person was the best choice because it allowed us to better see how quickly the virus was spreading. It added to the high stakes and suspense. If we only got Sam’s point of view, we wouldn’t have gotten that.
There was a good mixture of gloom and humor. People were dying left and right, and the characters made sure to lighten the mood with jokes. It made the story more enjoyable; I’m not sure I would have liked it if it was all about death and grief.
Recommendation: If you’re looking for another book about pandemics, epidemics or outbreaks, I recommend Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. Happy reading! :)
January 14, 2018
This is a great story of not only what could happen if a virus got loose, but a conspiracy thriller about who may be behind the deadly outbreak. This is one readers should grab to see what is sadly possible in the world we now live in.
January 17, 2022
Παρόλο που είχα δει την ταινία πριν από πολλά (πολλά) χρόνια, δεν μπορούσα να το αφήσω από τα χέρια μου!
Ιλιγγιώδης ρυθμός, αγωνία, και αρκετή δόση Χόλιγουντ που προσωπικά δεν με χάλασε καθόλου!
Ιλιγγιώδης ρυθμός, αγωνία, και αρκετή δόση Χόλιγουντ που προσωπικά δεν με χάλασε καθόλου!
February 11, 2025
Super fast paced read which you couple probably knock over in a day or two.
I haven’t seen the movie (or at least don’t recall seeing it), but for a story from 1995, this has aged very well in terms of technology and writing style.
While it’s not the most artistic of literary works, if you’re after a good action story to read over a weekend, this is it.
I haven’t seen the movie (or at least don’t recall seeing it), but for a story from 1995, this has aged very well in terms of technology and writing style.
While it’s not the most artistic of literary works, if you’re after a good action story to read over a weekend, this is it.
July 28, 2020
Hollywood. That’s all you need to know.
November 15, 2014
I don't know what I really expected heading into a novelization of a crummy summer popcorn flick from almost twenty years ago that was itself "loosely" based on a non-fiction book. What I can say is that I was taken on a whirlwind ride of unbearable writing, predictable tropes, uninteresting characters and a premise that almost takes for granted that the audience is incredibly ignorant and exploits that fact for its own purposes.
The best example of the complete contempt this book had for its readers comes in a scene towards the end. Our protagonist Sam is talking to Robby (his ex-wife / love interest) and she asks how he was able to develop the anti-serum so quickly. He starts to respond with some completely silly reasoning, and she cuts him off with some line about "shop talk? We'll discuss it later." What she really should have said is, "Sam, these people don't really give a shit about a feasible explanation, so why bother?"
The best example of the complete contempt this book had for its readers comes in a scene towards the end. Our protagonist Sam is talking to Robby (his ex-wife / love interest) and she asks how he was able to develop the anti-serum so quickly. He starts to respond with some completely silly reasoning, and she cuts him off with some line about "shop talk? We'll discuss it later." What she really should have said is, "Sam, these people don't really give a shit about a feasible explanation, so why bother?"
September 5, 2013
Loved it, but just watch the film, it's the same. =)
March 21, 2020
When the Coronavirus outbreak first happened in America; I don't think I really took it too seriously. I don't think anybody did; some still don't.
"Ah, this is nothing....it will phase itself out."
It was my husband's idea for us to watch Outbreak. (This is still on Netflix.)
What a terrifying movie/book! Its fiction but kinda true, especially now.
Anyway, I remembered we had the book.
The Coronavirus was getting worse as I read this book.
My husband is home with me.
He's been watching updates on Coronavirus and reading articles about it.
It is all so overwhelming.
This book and everything else going on...(news, deaths, sickness, money issues, panic buying, etc...etc.) Its too much.
It is mentally draining.
Some ways, its moving too quickly; other ways, not quick enough.
This book was good but too close to the events of today.
I wouldn't recommend anyone reading it at the moment.
It all gave me a headache and made me feel ill.
P.s. I think the movie was better.
February 15, 2023
Het is een interessant verhaal over een dodelijk virus dat uitbreekt. Kolonel Sam Daniëls, hoofd van afdeling besmettelijke ziekten van het Amerikaanse leger, moet in een race tegen de klok er voor zorgen dat de ziekte wordt getraceerd en bestreden.
Het boek is gebaseerd op de film, dit is wel te merken aan de schrijfstijl, er wordt namelijk weinig detail gebruikt en het verhaal is redelijk 'to the point'. Het is naar mijn mening niet een hoogwaardig literatuur werk.
Ondanks dit, is het verhaal interessant, spannend en blijf je lezen. De wendingen zijn soms onverwacht. Vooral in de laatste 50 bladzijden van het boek gebeurd er veel. Hierdoor, en door het weinige gebruik van detail, is het boek makkelijk en snel door te lezen.
Ook enigzins relevant en leuk om te lezen i.v.m met de hedendaagse situatie met het corona virus. Interessant en spannend verhaal, dat goed aansluit bij de film. Echter, als je opzoekt bent naar een beter literair werk, zou ik het boek niet lezen.
Het boek is gebaseerd op de film, dit is wel te merken aan de schrijfstijl, er wordt namelijk weinig detail gebruikt en het verhaal is redelijk 'to the point'. Het is naar mijn mening niet een hoogwaardig literatuur werk.
Ondanks dit, is het verhaal interessant, spannend en blijf je lezen. De wendingen zijn soms onverwacht. Vooral in de laatste 50 bladzijden van het boek gebeurd er veel. Hierdoor, en door het weinige gebruik van detail, is het boek makkelijk en snel door te lezen.
Ook enigzins relevant en leuk om te lezen i.v.m met de hedendaagse situatie met het corona virus. Interessant en spannend verhaal, dat goed aansluit bij de film. Echter, als je opzoekt bent naar een beter literair werk, zou ik het boek niet lezen.
May 19, 2020
het komt vaker voor dat een film gebaseerd is op een boek maar dit is een boek gebaseerd op een film. heb de film jaren geleden al eens gezien en vond die erg goed en het boek is hetzelfde. erg spannend ook al wist ik hoe die afliep. Sam ontdekt een virus en ze roepen meteen dat het bij een klein dorpje in Afrika bleef en niet zou verspreiden totdat de drager van het virus een aapje word gevangen en naar Amerika gebracht en daar vrij word gelaten en ondertussen mensen besmet met een gemuteerde versie van het virus wat volgt is een race tegen de tijd om het aapje te vinden en om een antivirus uit te vinden.
April 17, 2019
I was surprised because Robert Tine's books usually stick very closly to the movie and therefore are very short and not very deep. THis one however was very good. Lots of details and a bit more engrossing than his usual movie tie-in's. I think he could have dug even deeper, like more attention to the marriage and the friendships. Maybe some background on Salt and Robbie and even the general played by Donald Sutherland. All in all, pretty good though.
August 23, 2019
I got this book at the airport when I was 13.
At the time I did not know "book based on movie" was a thing.
I DID read this before I saw the movie, it's still just a weird concept to me, but somehow that makes me feel better.
At the time I did not know "book based on movie" was a thing.
I DID read this before I saw the movie, it's still just a weird concept to me, but somehow that makes me feel better.
March 1, 2020
A fine thriller, it's probably better to just watch the movie, which is on Netflix now.
As a side note, if you were blind and wanted a better idea of what was going on in the movie, an audiobook of this would be what you would be looking for.
As a side note, if you were blind and wanted a better idea of what was going on in the movie, an audiobook of this would be what you would be looking for.
August 15, 2021
I seriously don't remember this movie so now I'm going to have to watch it, and refresh my memory. The book I picked up at a yard sale. Thought it sounded good. Well, it was a very fast read, lacked some teeth for sure. Just seemed so quickly written.
April 30, 2018
Really enjoyed this read! I planned on reading it in spare time and that's all, but I couldn't put it down. Really kept you in the moment and the writing itself was perfectly suited for the topic.
April 1, 2019
I dont remember when i read this. But once i started it i remembered it well. Great book. Massive diseases are always scary. Becsuse they are real
February 8, 2020
Chilling and Scary.
Read
June 1, 2020I read this in case I don't get around to seeing the movie. It was a quick read, suspenseful and entertaining.
July 25, 2020
Loved it!
Read
October 23, 2023suguru was right: monkeys (derogatory)
February 20, 2025
The science is weak, but books about outbreaks often are. A fast moving light read.
May 13, 2020
I loved this book when I was in high school. I read it about half a dozen times then. I'm a bit miffed it didn't live up to my memory of it. I still enjoyed it and the movie is still one of my favourites as well.
April 4, 2012
I've never heard of a book being written, based on a movie that is already out. However, I also wasn't aware of this when I picked this book up. Minimal on the gore, maximum on the military presence, "Outbreak" is a mildly interesting read. I picked this one up for 99 cents also. Definitely not the same as a Richard Preston novel.
November 1, 2014
Nice adaptation. A quick read and very compelling. Can't believe I'm reading this during an Ebola epidemic. I'm just praying that we are able to stick to saving lives and fighting the good fight.
As for this story, its characterizations are modest for a film adaptation. I have to admit there is nothing much to be added unless you actually saw the movie.
Recommended for fans of the movie. B
As for this story, its characterizations are modest for a film adaptation. I have to admit there is nothing much to be added unless you actually saw the movie.
Recommended for fans of the movie. B
October 6, 2010
The book and movie were great. I really held to what was happening and became more aware of how sick others are in public settings. Its still fun to watch the movie and know that an outbreak can take place at any time when people are not respectful or careful when it comes to germs or viruses.
November 21, 2010
A very easy read since it was based off the movie (haven't seen the movies), it was limited to what the movie had so it lacked the detail that books usually have. A good albeit basic story. I'm a sucker for a killer virus that threatens all of humanity.
April 17, 2013
I really enjoyed this movie, and I always like to read the novels of movies because it gives you a little extra insight to the plot/characters that doesn't always get fully covered in the film. This book was great! Just as good as the movie if not better. :)
December 21, 2014
The movie was quite so-so actually. So I didn't know why I read the novelization of the film. The book just follows the mediocre script of the film therefore, also produced a mediocre book. The book was not bad per se, it just could have gone better.
January 7, 2016
This novel doesn't come even close to capturing the tension that existed in the movie. The book has about as much depth and substance as a marshmallow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews