Kill Them with Kindness

The most original writer in Britain (Daily Express) returns with a mind-blowing, high-concept new novel. Laying bare our 21st-century weaknesses and dilemmas, Carver has created a highly original state-of-the-nation novel Literary Review The threat of nuclear war is no longer scary. This is much worse. Its invisible. It works quickly. And its coming. The scourge has already infected and killed half the population in China and it is heading towards the UK. There is no time to escape. The British government sees no way out other than to distribute Dignity Pills to its citizens: One last night with family or loved ones before going to sleep forever together. Because the contagion will kill you and the horrifying news footage shows that it will be better to go quietly. Dr Haruto Ikeda, a Japanese scientist working at a Chinese research facility, wants to save the world. He has discovered a way to mutate a virus. Instead of making people sick, instead of causing death, its going to make them... nice. Instead of attacking the lungs, it will work into the brain and increase the hosts ability to feel and show compassion. It will make people kind. But governments dont want a population in agreement. They want conflict and outrage and fear. Reasonable people are harder to control. Ikedas quest is thoughtful and noble, and it just might work. Maybe humanity can be saved. Maybe it doesnt have to be the end. But kindness may also be the biggest killer of all