Overview

We are thrown into a near future that begins in Scotland, where a new virus appears and spreads with terrifying speed. The disease kills almost all men, leaving the world suddenly without the people who once made up half the population. As governments fall and systems fail, women are left to keep society running, mourn their losses, and decide how the future should look when so much has vanished.

Writing & Voice

We found Sweeney-Baird’s writing fast and direct, especially in the early stages of the outbreak. Short chapters and shifting viewpoints give the story urgency and scale, moving quickly from hospital wards to government offices and ordinary homes. The style stays clear and accessible, focusing on ideas and consequences rather than elaborate prose.

Characters

The novel follows a wide cast, including Amanda MacLean, a doctor in Glasgow who first recognises the threat, and Catherine, an academic recording how society adapts after the collapse. While not every character is deeply developed, together they create a strong sense of a world in transition, shaped by grief, responsibility, and unexpected power.

Themes

At its core, this book is about loss, power, and rebuilding. We see how gender shapes labour, leadership, and survival, and how quickly familiar structures disappear. The novel asks who gets to make decisions when the old balance is gone, and what kind of society is built in the space left behind.

What Worked

• Striking premise: The gender specific virus immediately raises big questions.
• Early momentum: The outbreak and collapse are tense and gripping.
• Wide scope: Personal grief and global systems are explored side by side.

Minor Quibbles

• The large cast means some characters feel more like viewpoints than fully formed people.
• The later focus on rebuilding slows the pace after the initial crisis.

Final Thoughts

We found The End of Men unsettling, ambitious, and thought provoking. It uses a bold idea to explore power, grief, and survival, and it stays with you long after the final page.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)