Book Review: World War Z

As you all probably know, I happen to be a Zombie afficianado, so this book was right up my alley. Max Brook's tale comes from a global perspective on the undead, told by the people who were there. Each chapter is comprised of individual stories each told by a survivor. These stories are compiled chronologically in order to retell the events of "The Great Panic," the annihilation of "Zack" in the United States, and Worldwide "Total War."

Max Brooks writes to add even more legitimacy to the genre, nearly eliminating the need for senseless blood, guts, and violence. The novel or "oral history," goes to the lengths that films like 28 Days Later or Shaun of the Dead have done for the genre. It helps to steer this part of American Folklore away from the endless and laughable sequels to George A. Romero's classic. WWZ is smart, funny, and sure to go into history as another classic example of Zombie lore.

Brooks takes the few musts around the creature and twists it to seem truly horrible on a global scale. The trouble begins with a mysterious infection. The head must be destoyed in order to kill it. They have an unquenchable thirst for human flesh. The infection is spread from bites or blood transfusion. But "Zack" can survive underwater, invading California beaches in Normandy-like fashion. Conventional warfare is utterly useless against the undead hordes. These zombies freeze in winter only to thaw again in the spring. Not to mention the living threats of "Quislings" and feral animals and children.

It is really nice to see the Zombie genre used for artistic interpretation as opposed to a vehicle for bad Hollywood blood and guts thriller. Brooks really add a humanist element to the undead, virtully without the need to shower his audience in blood. Though the book does not serve to satisfy intellectual whims, it is an excellent gateway to the imagination. I can't wait to go back and read Brooks' Zombie Survival Guide.