Overall very enjoyable read (or as enjoyable as a book about oppression can be).

The writing is overall very captivating and I like how each chapter connects with the next.

I'm left a bit confused about the author's opinion on abortions, veganism, and emotional support animals. As well I don't think the use of "Gay Inc." was ever explained and I don't really know what he meant by that.

I'm inspired to learn more about ACT UP and AIDS activism history and how it compares to COVID today. ( )

The Viral Underclass by Steven Thrasher is an important book that shows, through research and personal stories, how marginalized people are made and kept in a viral underclass.

The general idea, that marginalized people suffer first and more harshly when a health catastrophe strikes (actually any catastrophe), has become widely disseminated since COVID started. What Thrasher does very well is show that COVID is just the most recent example. Through research (ignore people who mistakenly claim that nothing is cited, there are 530 endnotes and they are not Twitter citations) as well as personal stories (both Thrasher's and those of others). In other words, we get facts and figures as well as human faces to put with it.

I was torn between a higher rating and what I gave because I just felt like it didn't flow very well. Yet, even with less-than-ideal pacing the information is presented clearly and it is very important we deal with this since climate change is going to be causing more uncomfortable collisions with nature. So even with a less than maximum rating I still would recommend this to everyone.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )

The Viral Underclass is a fascinating, well-written, phenomenal and necessary book detailing how inequality, poverty, racism and homophobia intersect with the transmission and effects of viruses, particularly HIV and COVID-19. Dr. Thrasher uses data, meticulous research, personal stories and examples of real people to show how the "viral underclass", people who are seen as disposable by society, suffer higher risks of sickness and death from the ravages of viral infection. Capitalist societal structural factors such as carceral, housing, public health and immigration policies, lack of universal health care, prejudice and inequality are discussed in relation to viral spread and treatment. Dr. Thrasher is critical of politicians and policies from both parties that have worsened the suffering of society's most vulnerable people. This book was empathetic, eye-opening, tragic and highly readable. Thank you to Celadon Books for an advanced reader copy. @celadonbooks #TheViralUnderclass, #CeladonReads #partner ( )

The Viral Underclass is very readable and draws you in from the beginning. It’s thought-provoking, sobering, and frequently sad. I especially enjoyed the way the chapters were structured: science, statistics, and facts blended with moving stories of the experiences of – and the injustices done to – real people. I was disappointed and distracted, however, at how often the author let his biases show through in glib, throwaway remarks that resembled what you would imagine to be said by those he was exposing or criticizing.

Thanks to Celadon Books for providing an advance copy of The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Disease Collide to me as a Celadon Reader via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It was well-crafted and well-researched and a story that needed to be told. The author’s personal experiences added to the readability of the book. It was moving, compelling, and startling, but I would not have missed reading this informative book. All opinions are my own. ( )