I ended up DNFing this title. I tried to read it a couple times but was unable to get into the book. I do really like the cover though, it is esthetically pleasing.

Well structured, researched and interesting book! Will definitely make you more conscious of the stigma and class inequality when it comes to ‘disease’ / ‘virus’’ etc. Lots of compassion and detail in this book about those dealing with real life long things!

The Viral Underclass does a great job of cutting to the main problems when tackling HIV/AIDS in the US, in which all sides of society are culpable. Going into this read, I had little to no knowledge of the HIV/AIDS crisis and my eyes were opened to the inequality individuals face when it comes to protecting against and treating this disease.

The author presents real-life accounts showing how their lives were not only affected in the main scope, but also by intersectionality within the crisis. It is heartbreaking reading how unfairly and inhumanely people are treated and how they are essentially left to fend for themselves against a deadly virus, that could otherwise be prevented.

I think this would be an important read in college, especially for those going into healthcare or social justice work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for access to this eARC. Strengthened by its threads of human narrative throughout and the succinct, compelling nature of the topics discussed in its latter half (with particular applause to the chapter on the intersection between disability and viral susceptibility), the Viral Underclass is a well researched, well written, and evocative book. Somewhat meandering in the middle and limited by it’s almost exclusive focus on the state of inequity in the United States, it remains a worthy look at the impacts of the various aspects of belonging on the innate vulnerability to illness. 4/5 ⭐️

Such an important story telling how inequality, poverty, racism and homophobia have a part in the transmission and effects of viruses. Real life stories, like Michael Johnson's, show how prejudice and inequality have an effect on health.

An essential read for these times - The Viral Underclass by Steven W. Thrasher is an informative, readable investigation of the way diseases disproportionally impact the most disenfranchised along lines of race and class. Exploring the HIV and Covid-19 viruses, Thrasher examines how the most vulnerable are left the most vulnerable to disease.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

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

ARC Review - THE VIRAL UNDERCLASS by Steven W. Thrasher

Out now! [Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!]

Rating: 5/5 stars

THE VIRAL UNDERCLASS is an examination of the way viruses disproportionately impact the most marginalized among us, told through an exploration of both the HIV/AIDs crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

It takes a special nonfiction book to pull you in with as much emotion as if you were reading a novel, but this book does just that. In each chapter, I was gripped by the stories of Dr. Thrasher and his friends, as well as the many activists fighting for equality in the face of viral contagion and illness.

The core of THE VIRAL UNDERCLASS is the idea that viruses expose the fault lines in our society—but also that they have important lessons to teach us about interdependence and community, if we are only able and willing to listen. The arguments are smart, logical, and insightful, presenting a resonant and important overall perspective. Even better, the book is also brilliantly written and masterfully researched, making it a fantastic read.

In short, THE VIRAL UNDERCLASS offers tremendously valuable contributions to important conversations we should all be having as we navigate the post-pandemic years ahead—it is a book everyone should pick up.

Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: medical history; LGBTQ history, nonfiction focusing on marginalized groups

CW: Disease/death/pandemic; homophobia; transphobia; racism.

Biology isn't the only factor that affects a person's chances of becoming infected with dangerous diseases and their ability to recover. After years studying the AIDS epidemic, Steven Thrasher takes a wider look at disease transmission and how it is spread disproportionately depending on a variety of social factors including - but not limited to - race, class, and disability status.

As we stand in the midst of two major health crises, this book is a timely look at the factors that exacerbate an epidemic. Thrasher's writing is well thought out and approachable.

Thank you to the author, @celadonbooks , and @NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Well researched an absolutely infuriating, as it should be.

With heart wrenching stories, Dr. Thrasher shows the true tolls that racial prejudice plays in the field of healthcare.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC: This book is so true and so painful. Thrasher follows people who are marginalized and neglected in our health care system and by our policy makers. It should be essential reading for everyone, but particularly for health care professionals and policy makers. I came across a quote that summarized the theme of the book for me:" What do you call it if someone is no longer concerned about covid not because the number of people dying has changed but because the composition of people dying has changed." I recently read that Thrasher has been subject to attack for writing this excellent book, and discriminated against for continuing to practice mitigation behaviors. The truth hurts, but it is not just important, it is essential. A very important book.

Such an important and intriguing glimpse into the stigma of class and how it affects access to healthcare through global pandemics. This draws some incredible parallels between COVID-19 and HIV and I am sure can also be expanded to discuss the resurgence of Polio and the more recent monkeypox spread as well. Incredibly important book and I'm glad I got to read it.

This title really caught my eye! This was such an interesting book and I loved all the research that clearly went into writing this. This is my first book by this author and I enjoyed it. I found it very informative in terms of the way disease can spread in particular within the 'underclass' . In particular with the lack of proper health care this can spread very easily.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many disparities in infections and healthcare became more apparent to the general population. Why, on infection maps, were infections much more prominent in underprivileged areas? What happens to those who depend on assistance from others in their everyday lives? What factors influenced whether an infected person would seek medical care? And finally, what caused countermovements regarding masking and vaccinations across the country?

In The Viral Underclass, author Steven Thrasher combines his own experiences with his knowledge of not only COVID-19 but also HIV/AIDS and others. Using examples of disadvantaged populations, Thrasher demonstrates the differences (and consequences) of access to healthcare and the many factors that lead to such disparities. Breaking each factor into its own chapter, The Viral Underclass is well-organized and does well to break down what is quite a complex subject.

I don’t often prefer the injection of personal experiences, but Thrasher’s input was incredibly relevant and serves as another example of the disparities highlighted in this book. Therefore, this book would be more interesting to those that are looking for a less scientific and more conversational approach to writing style. Overall it’s an incredibly timely read, although always relevant.

The Viral Underclass by Dr. Steven Thrasher is the type of book I'd want as required reading in upper level high school and college courses. It is as much about HIV/Aids as it is about the society that ranks it's citizens based on infections and access to health care.

One thing I'd like to point out in my review, because I know this review will influence whether or not someone picks up this book, is that it doesn't matter which political party you favor they're both getting trashed in The Viral Underclass. I feel like we have gotten to a point where everything has to be one side or the other, but The Viral Underclass cuts through the middle and explains, with facts, why they both suck in this arena. I've never had a book make me question the political party I'm registered under before, but I can say that I have now.

Dr. Thrasher does an exceptional job of using real-life stories, like those of Michael Johnson, Zak Kostopoulos and Lorena Borjas, and showing the reader how they're affected by different things like racism, white immunity and immigration laws. In other words, each chapter of the book focuses on one big point, while using real life stories to illustrate how they're affected within the scope of that point.

I appreciate books like The Viral Underclass because they make me think and reflect on how I can do better to help those around me who are struggling with feeling accepted and seen. I also want to thank Celadon books and NetGalley for supplying me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own.

This was a well organized and articulated account of the inequalities that viruses (such as COVID 19) put on different sects of society. This book had a really profound effect of changing my understanding how viruses can have a disproportionate effect beyond typical expectations.
I would definitely recommend this as widespread reading, especially as we move into the "living with the pandemic" phase of life as as society.
This book was well-written in an engaging narrative style that is often missing in non-fiction which made it a fast and easy read, despite the somewhat difficult material,

Dr. Thrasher delves into the way that viruses are affected by class. HIV, Corona virus and many more are not just randomly produced. The people who suffer from these viruses are often the socially and economically inferior population. He tells us through stories, research and science how this happens.
I for one was mesmerized by the statistics and research involved in this theory. I couldn't believe how much we are not told about a virus that affects us all. I'll definitely be reading up on this research.

First and foremost, thank you Celadon Books for the gifted e-copy of this!

When I read the synopsis, I was immediately intrigued. This is the kind of non-fiction I typically like to read.

I learned SO much while reading this book, and the author also emphasized a lot of points I did know (but other readers might not). I highlighted so many sentences in my e-reader throughout and saved them.

It might have been the timing, but while the topic and writing were interesting, i felt like I wasn't making any progress while reading. It was taking me forever to finish.

Overall, though, I'd suggest people give this one a read!

Yesterday was the book birthday/publication day for The Viral Underclass. Thank you to much to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio and @celadonbooks books for the eARC and ALC for this book.

Don’t let Zoe’s sweet face and pose fool you; this book is serious! I had never sat down and thought about how there is a viral underclass just like we have a underclass of citizens in our society. There is a hierarchy to our society here in the US whether we want to admit to it or not and Thrasher brutally reveals all the holes he’s uncovered over his time researching this subject.

This is one of those books where there is so many things to talk about in this book that I could never talk about it all in one post. I have three words for you: READ THIS BOOK. Steven Thrasher does not sugarcoat and there is no political leaning anywhere. He tells you the bad stuff every president has done in recent history to hurt the underclass, viral or not. It was refreshingly honest and and I know I’ve already said it but, brutal. I recommend literally everyone read this book!

P.S. Steven Thrasher narrates the audiobook which is an added bonus. So nice to hear the author’s thoughts directly from his mouth!

The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Disease Collide, Stephen W. Thrasher uses his experiences as a queer BIPOC individiual, as well as those of people he has encountered throughout his life, to demonstrate how various American institutions are entrenched to ensure that marginalized communities remain so. Specifically, how this is relevant to inequality when it comes to the spread of viral diseases (mostly in terms of HIV and COVID-19).

Well Thrasher doesn’t offer any new findings of his own (even the title of the book was a phrase uttered by another person), he offers a really easy to understand account of the disparities in society. As a career journalist, he frames ideas in a completely relatable and yet still gutpunching way. He backs up his stories using laws, statistics and facts.

It is disturbing to me that in 2022, the chances of surviving a viral disease can be predicted based on gender and race. It is even more disturbing to me that there is no change in terms of improving these factors of predictability in the foreseeable future. The market economy ensures this. Our apparent lack of empathy in the human race solidifies it.

Thank you to Celadon Books for providing an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.