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When Dr. Grouchi, chief medical advisor to the president of the United States, is invited by his good friend, Dr. Gao, to explore the Wuhan Lab's research on bat excrement—rabid bat guano (RBG)—little does he know that chaos of apocalyptic measures will be unleashed on society. A direct satirical commentary on the rumors swirling around the origin of Covid-19 in a Wuhan lab, Emma's narrative is lighthearted and entertaining, but at the same time, one that will force audiences to think deeper about their own experiences during the pandemic.
From the perspective of storytelling, the author's character development is impeccable, spearheaded by now-retired scientist Dr. Mick Maux (pronounced "mouse," he insists). Sharing a few too many parallels in name with the famous Mickey Mouse himself, Dr. Maux, along with his wife, Carol, connects with the National Institute of Health and Dr. Grouchi to better understand this RBG virus that seemingly turns humans into bloodthirsty vampires. In retrospect, this speaks to the early days of the pandemic when streets were devoid of human life, and people mostly came out at night and kept their distance. Though the novel is a standalone that is not rooted in reality, it effectively integrates aspects of governmental response, such as President Trump shutting down all travel to China in late January 2020 despite the U.S. emphasizing overall calm to the public.
Whether it is incessant knock-knock jokes, the uncomfortable quips of President Trompe, or simply the nameplay with characters like Senators Chuck "Schlomo," Elizabeth "Warden," and Governor "Blowmo," Emma uses Maux's character to inject comedic humor as a means to address very real circumstances that played out, chiefly the inconsistencies and veiled approach by many of the top government heads. When Maux realizes that his dream visits from Dr. Grouchi as a Wuhan wudiwang (invincible) vampire are not, in fact, a dream but reality, he realizes that humanity is on the verge of collapse, going the way of the undead. With Dr. Grouchi explaining that the only way to become a wudiwang vampire (or retain human and vampire qualities) is by eating the guano, or bat feces, and then having it spread, the race is on to find an antidote, leading Maux to all sorts of creative characters and encounters such as the Mauxes meeting with Alexis Often-a-Cabron, a clear play on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
From "Slow Hidin" to "Cackling Camel," the author's imprint and assessment of the aftermath of the pandemic, including the chaos surrounding the 2020 election, are crystal clear. Through his characters, he is unafraid to tackle topics that may be deemed controversial, such as woke culture and the role of media. As the narrative progresses, particularly in the second half, it becomes apparent that the author is speaking his mind through Dr. Maux's character. More than anything else, he is vigorously stressing to society that one's individuality, which is what makes for unique individuals, communities, and ultimately a unique America, is at risk of falling prey to politics and propaganda. Overall, Emma's narrative is witty and energetic, a liberating read that yields thought-provoking musings whose impact is unquestionably universal.