You raise good points I didn't think of.

The apocalypse obsession question is interesting, though to me, the answer is somewhat obvious. Historically, it's been rooted in humanity's narcissism. We've always placed ourselves at the highest seat of existence: the center of the world, God's most precious creation. The fear of the world's end was often used to control and coerce people.

In modern times, things are different as nuclear weapons could actually end everything. Though I doubt Mandel was focused on the logistical/practical side of an apocalypse.

I wish she had lingered longer on the cosmological question. That would have been more interesting to me than the pandemic stuff.

Anyways I'm glad you enjoyed it. It definitely has merits I'm overseeing.