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Look out! Zombies!

June 2, 2008 10 comments

Haha, scared you, didn’t I? Actually, that whole intro premise is so lame, I have most definitely frightened myself. Well…not so much frightened as revolted…egh.

So, just a quick little Book Review I thought I’d throw up here. The book is called World War Z by Max Brooks. It’s sort of a…I’m not entirely certain how to categorize it, actually. A fictional historical retelling written after the global zombie wars, if that makes any sense whatsoever. Basically, guy made up war against the living dead, then tells the whole story through interviews with fictional people, retelling their stories from during the fictional war.

Anyway, I picked it up because it was about zombies, figuring it would make for a nice, amusing little read. However, it’s actually a surprisingly compelling book. The guy doesn’t play it for laughs whatsoever, which works a whole lot better, and makes it that much more interesting. And it’s not all about the actual, visceral fight against zombies…it deals with the continuing ‘cleanup’, the rebuilding of society, keeping an economy running during the war itself, ESPECIALLY when a lot of survivors are CEO’s, agents, and other professions which are, now, frankly useless. And then, there is the fight itself. Of course, it’s not just zombies…there’s also feral packs of animals running around who have evolved in size and ferocity to survive as long as they have. There are also feral packs of HUMANS who have pretty much done the same, plus crazy survivalist groups who end up engaging in running gun battles with the military, because they kinda wanna remain king of their decrepit little castles.

Anyway, enough ramblage…really good book, I blew through it in a day. One of those pleasant surprises that you figure will have some kitschy entertainment value, and then blows right through those low expectations. So, go buy it. Or, borrow it from me. Just read the fucking thing!

Also, the web site for the book contains a risk calculator, where it can figure out what your odds of survival would have been. I scored a 40% chance of living. See how you fare.

Posted in General Type Things
  • http://liamj.blogspot.com Liam

    Good review, Cliff. You’ve won me over. I will definitely read it when time allows. Sounds like BSG after the cylons. I’m in the second season, watching on average 2 episodes a night, so maybe that’s what’s colouring my judgment. Actually, I would really like to see more stories dealing with this kind of thing.

    I have mentioned in the past, half-seriously, doing a sequel story for Armageddon. I realize that it was a terrible movie but it laid groundwork (crappily) for a story that could deal with a lot of the same things. What do you do when society completely collapses? What about those people who spent their lives trying to gain something that has no meaning anymore?

    Maybe I need to start reading some more science fiction. Hey, all you peer-pressurers… if you can recommend (or lend) me a book that covers this subject manner in a compelling manner (in much the same way as Cliff’s book purports to), I will randomly select a book from my collection and make a trade with you. And you can keep that book!

  • http://liamj.blogspot.com Liam

    Good review, Cliff. You’ve won me over. I will definitely read it when time allows. Sounds like BSG after the cylons. I’m in the second season, watching on average 2 episodes a night, so maybe that’s what’s colouring my judgment. Actually, I would really like to see more stories dealing with this kind of thing.

    I have mentioned in the past, half-seriously, doing a sequel story for Armageddon. I realize that it was a terrible movie but it laid groundwork (crappily) for a story that could deal with a lot of the same things. What do you do when society completely collapses? What about those people who spent their lives trying to gain something that has no meaning anymore?

    Maybe I need to start reading some more science fiction. Hey, all you peer-pressurers… if you can recommend (or lend) me a book that covers this subject manner in a compelling manner (in much the same way as Cliff’s book purports to), I will randomly select a book from my collection and make a trade with you. And you can keep that book!

  • http://FeelingsOfWhite.com Legion

    Hey Cliff, I kinda stopped reading your review as soon as I discovered what it was about. I’m currently listening to World War Z in audiobook form. A guy at work gave it to me. It’s got lots of different voice actors doing different characters. I guess Henry Rollins is on it too.

    I’m only finished Disc 1 out 5, but it’s pretty good so far. If you want the audiobook, let me know.

  • http://FeelingsOfWhite.com Legion

    Hey Cliff, I kinda stopped reading your review as soon as I discovered what it was about. I’m currently listening to World War Z in audiobook form. A guy at work gave it to me. It’s got lots of different voice actors doing different characters. I guess Henry Rollins is on it too.

    I’m only finished Disc 1 out 5, but it’s pretty good so far. If you want the audiobook, let me know.

  • http://www.peerpressureworks.com Cliff

    Well, I just read it…so I’m not really sure what I’d want the audiobook for…but thanks? And, considering you’re avoiding this topic…why am I replying? :)

    Liam : If you can pull something actually interesting out of the pit of darkness that was Armageddon, it will be evidence of miracles existing.

  • http://www.peerpressureworks.com Cliff

    Well, I just read it…so I’m not really sure what I’d want the audiobook for…but thanks? And, considering you’re avoiding this topic…why am I replying? :)

    Liam : If you can pull something actually interesting out of the pit of darkness that was Armageddon, it will be evidence of miracles existing.

  • http://liamj.blogspot.com Liam

    If that offer was directed at me, James, I’ll definitely borrow it from you. I’ve been wondering where my next audiobook was going to come from.

  • http://liamj.blogspot.com Liam

    If that offer was directed at me, James, I’ll definitely borrow it from you. I’ve been wondering where my next audiobook was going to come from.

  • http://www.peerpressureworks.com Cliff

    And now, the mystery has come to an end. In a way, it’s sad.

  • http://www.peerpressureworks.com Cliff

    And now, the mystery has come to an end. In a way, it’s sad.