The Fever
The Fever explores the phenomenon of mass hysteria and the mob mentality, for that is exactly what is occurring throughout the novel. Rumors fly, townspeople make assumptions based on those rumors, and panic exponentially builds as more girls fall prey to the contagion. Thanks to the constant connection associated with smartphones and the Internet, the speed at which the rumors evolve into “the truth” is frightening. For that reason, the story is also a telling commentary on the changing dynamics of social interaction. Gone are the days when word of mouth meant just that, and one quick tap of a key is enough to change a person’s life forever.
The Fever is a fast-paced and chilling book. While it is a character-driven story, over time the characters lose importance compared with the town’s reaction in general. Deenie is a forgettable character, as she too easily blends into the background of the ensuing chaos, while her friends are nothing more than a cross between Mean Girls and The Crucible teens, neither comparison a flattering one. The subplot surrounding Eli is a simple distraction. The same can be said about Tom’s story, although his version does have the added benefit of providing insight into the adult reactions. However, it is the panic and disorder throughout the town that hits its target with readers. What the contagion is as well as its origins are minor compared to the mass pandemonium that happens when the girls start getting sick. For a fascinating and terrifying modern-day study of mass hysteria and the mob mentality in the Internet era, one need look no further than Megan Abbott’s latest.
Special Treat: One of the more interesting aspects of the story I found was the girls and their rapid descent into hysteria. As part of the Vector Tour, I was privileged enough to be able to ask Ms. Abbott about just that and her inspiration for such a chillingly realistic portrayal of such panic. Here is my question and her response.