The Waiting Rooms
Eve Smith
Decades of spiraling drug resistance have unleashed a global antibiotic crisis. Ordinary infections are untreatable, and a scratch from a pet can kill. A sacrifice is required to keep the majority safe: no one over seventy is allowed new antibiotics. The elderly are sent to hospitals nicknamed ‘The Waiting Rooms’ … hospitals where no one ever gets well.
GENRE
Speculative; Dystopian
UK PUBLICATION
May 2020
Speculative; Dystopian
UK PUBLICATION
May 2020
Praise
Selected as one of the Herald Scotland's '30 Best Beach & Holiday Reads' 2020
"Spookily prescient and chillingly credible, Smith's vision of a global antibiotic crisis grips from the very first page."
Waterstones
"Both terrifying and topical... this novel makes for alarming reading."
The Literary Review
"Smith combines the excitement of a medical thriller à la Michael Crichton with sensitive characterisation and social insight in a timely debut novel all the more remarkable for being conceived and written before the current pandemic."
Guardian
"Stunning and terrifying … The Waiting Rooms wrenches your heart in every way possible, but written with such humanity and emotion."
Miranda Dickinson
"If the themes are dark and topical, the writing is exquisite. Breath held, I got to the finale with my heart in my mouth. Eve Smith weaves a complex and clever tale, merging countries and timelines; the result is a superb and satisfying novel."
Louise Beech
"Stunning dystopian debut. A prescient and alarming tale that seems just a whisper from reality."
Suzy Apsley
"With the current coronavirus going on, this book is so timely ... It’s a wealth of information and a wealth of warnings. My god this book makes you think. It really makes you think. Great interwoven story of the creators of the drugs and how they can be used for evil reasons. And warning, the first chapter will have you weeping."
Goodreads
"Spookily prescient and chillingly credible, Smith's vision of a global antibiotic crisis grips from the very first page."
Waterstones
"Both terrifying and topical... this novel makes for alarming reading."
The Literary Review
"Smith combines the excitement of a medical thriller à la Michael Crichton with sensitive characterisation and social insight in a timely debut novel all the more remarkable for being conceived and written before the current pandemic."
Guardian
"Stunning and terrifying … The Waiting Rooms wrenches your heart in every way possible, but written with such humanity and emotion."
Miranda Dickinson
"If the themes are dark and topical, the writing is exquisite. Breath held, I got to the finale with my heart in my mouth. Eve Smith weaves a complex and clever tale, merging countries and timelines; the result is a superb and satisfying novel."
Louise Beech
"Stunning dystopian debut. A prescient and alarming tale that seems just a whisper from reality."
Suzy Apsley
"With the current coronavirus going on, this book is so timely ... It’s a wealth of information and a wealth of warnings. My god this book makes you think. It really makes you think. Great interwoven story of the creators of the drugs and how they can be used for evil reasons. And warning, the first chapter will have you weeping."
Goodreads
Also by Eve Smith
Rights Sales for THE WAITING ROOMS
Germany: Heyne
World English Language: Orenda Books
World English Language: Orenda Books