I have to admit that the title is what grabbed me about this book. I was ready for Ferris wheel rides and hot dog eating contests. Instead I was hit with the question – Are we ready for a book about the pandemic? In a time when the world is still grappling with the aftereffects of the COVID pandemic, David Rothman has emerged with a thought-provoking and refreshingly non-political narrative. The story revolves around Andrew, an assistant director of a funeral home in the heart of New York City during the pandemic’s earliest days.

What sets this book apart is its unique blend of mysticism and realism. The introduction of Lelya Dorche, the enigmatic Coney Island witch doctor, adds a captivating element to the narrative, giving the story an unexpected twist. The author’s descriptions transport readers to the epicenter of the epicenter, providing a hauntingly realistic portrayal of the pandemic’s impact on everyday lives.

While many pandemic-related works delve into political debates, this focuses on human connections and the lengths one would go to protect loved ones. It captures the essence of resilience and the unbreakable bonds that emerged during the crisis.

The quest to secure Macedonian pine sap takes readers on an adventurous journey to Bulgaria, adding an exciting layer to the narrative. In a time when many of us were wishing to escape, this gives a what-if scenario that can be appreciated.

In a world saturated with pandemic-related content, Leyla Dorche and the Coney Island Cure stand out as a unique and refreshing addition to the genre. It reminds us that, ultimately, our humanity and the connections we forge are what truly matter in times of crisis.

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SUMMARY

In April 2020, at the height of the pandemic in New York City, Andrew, the assistant director of a funeral home one mile from Elmhurst Hospital, the “epicenter of the epicenter,” meets a legendary Coney Island witch doctor (Lelya Dorche), who makes him an offer that could better his chances of keeping his COVID-positive elderly parents and his severely asthmatic 13-year-old son, Miro, off the ever-expanding list of virus mortalities. To keep up his end of the bargain, Andrew will have to find his way to Bulgaria (no small task considering that there’s a ban on passenger flights to Europe) to secure 10 liters of a rare Macedonian pine sap, a key ingredient of Lelya Dorche’s proven remedy.