The Hot Zone is a nonfiction novel written by Richard Preston; a book about “the terrifying true story of the origins of the Ebola virus” as the cover states. The novel is written in the perspective of the author, Richard Preston, as he interviews, medical staff, researchers and family members of the victims. The reader learns about the first of many known outbreaks of the virus, different strains of the virus, similar viruses and much more. The book is broken into four parts, each filled with different stories of the victims of the virus, but all tied together by one thing, the Ebola virus.
The first part of the novel is set in a small village in Kenya in the 1980’s. The first character that the reader is introduced to is Charles Monet. Charles …show more content…
Preston hires a guide named Robin MacDonald; he was a professional hunter and safari guide. MacDonald was unconcerned about the threat of the Marburg virus inside Kitum Cave. In addition to the guide's wife, Carrie, and their two sons, the exploration of Kitum Cave includes three professional safari men and two of Preston’s close friends. By the end of the first day, they reached a small town called Kitale at the base of Mount Elgon. The group decides to make camp in the same meadow where Charles Monet had camped over 13 years before. Preston becomes increasingly nervous about his mission when he realizes that everything he sees is potentially a transmitter for the Marburg virus. The trail leading to the cave was also covered with another possible host for the virus, animal dung. Before entering the cave, Preston puts on a makeshift space suit; a neutral-pressure bodysuit with an attached hood and respirator, along with gloves and boots. He seals the suit with sticky tape then enters the cave. A few day after exploring Kitum Cave Preston makes his way to the abandoned monkey house in Reston, Virginia. Other than creeping vines and some cobwebs, the building showed no signs of
The first part of the novel is set in a small village in Kenya in the 1980’s. The first character that the reader is introduced to is Charles Monet. Charles …show more content…
Preston hires a guide named Robin MacDonald; he was a professional hunter and safari guide. MacDonald was unconcerned about the threat of the Marburg virus inside Kitum Cave. In addition to the guide's wife, Carrie, and their two sons, the exploration of Kitum Cave includes three professional safari men and two of Preston’s close friends. By the end of the first day, they reached a small town called Kitale at the base of Mount Elgon. The group decides to make camp in the same meadow where Charles Monet had camped over 13 years before. Preston becomes increasingly nervous about his mission when he realizes that everything he sees is potentially a transmitter for the Marburg virus. The trail leading to the cave was also covered with another possible host for the virus, animal dung. Before entering the cave, Preston puts on a makeshift space suit; a neutral-pressure bodysuit with an attached hood and respirator, along with gloves and boots. He seals the suit with sticky tape then enters the cave. A few day after exploring Kitum Cave Preston makes his way to the abandoned monkey house in Reston, Virginia. Other than creeping vines and some cobwebs, the building showed no signs of