Long sprawling book, and more than a bit too on the nose to read in the time of COVID-19. But it was enjoyable and passed the time (a lot of time, 800 pages of time). Mostly just as a good story. Exciting plot, page turner, some interesting ideas.

I think this book fails on shedding much light on the human condition. Or character development, or psychological insights. Good fun tale though. Also it suffers a bit from being too much like The Stand. It's definitely its own book, but the similarities are hard to overlook.

I'm a bit annoyed at the end

at the final twist that Black Swan caused the disease. I mean it is consistent with the whole story but it came a little too much out of nowhere, it could have been foreshadowed more. Also the idea of setting up a religion was excellent and I would have liked to see that idea developed further!