In Sigrid Nunez‘s most recent novel, Salvation City, a deadly strain of influenza beleaguers the US population. Her narrator Cole’s atheist parents perish, but he’s adopted into a religious community hanging on amidst national anarchy. Here, some kids are special. They’re called rapture children, and they will lead the way to heaven during the final resurrection. It seems the end of days is close, so rapture children are more popular than ever. They’re also, Cole notes, all very good looking.
In the bible, the rapture is described as “being caught up.” Outside, it’s hot like fever, so consider getting caught up in Nunez’s captivating reading.
