Rob's review of World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
Rob's review
rating:
bookshelves:
2008,
ambulothanatophobia,
apocalypse,
vermont
recommended for:
anyone with braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaainsss...
status:
Read in February, 2008
** spoiler alert **
Where to begin?
I would be willing to say that Max Brooks has given us a "new classic" of zombie literature in World War Z. The novel is well-structured, is well-paced, and seems so ... plausible.
And when I say "plausible", I mean the Brooks has tried to carefully -- though not necessarily exhaustively -- look at the current geopolitical climate and imagine what a sudden "zombie" outbreak scenario would look like today or in some tenable near-future. Brooks makes what seems to me to be a sincere effort to leave no logistical stone uncovered: how does the plague spread? what are the consequences of a government cover-up? what about the navies and submarines? what about satellites and GPS? how do you "quartermaster" an army that is on foot going up against "the undead"? He tried to cover all the bases in as realistic a way as possible. Considering such an unrealistic scenario. Again: Brooks is not trying to be...more
I would be willing to say that Max Brooks has given us a "new classic" of zombie literature in World War Z. The novel is well-structured, is well-paced, and seems so ... plausible.
And when I say "plausible", I mean the Brooks has tried to carefully -- though not necessarily exhaustively -- look at the current geopolitical climate and imagine what a sudden "zombie" outbreak scenario would look like today or in some tenable near-future. Brooks makes what seems to me to be a sincere effort to leave no logistical stone uncovered: how does the plague spread? what are the consequences of a government cover-up? what about the navies and submarines? what about satellites and GPS? how do you "quartermaster" an army that is on foot going up against "the undead"? He tried to cover all the bases in as realistic a way as possible. Considering such an unrealistic scenario. Again: Brooks is not trying to be...more
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Denied... I forgot that I posted that via a comment. Oh well, my grand ideas of blogle domination have been dashed.
-m
R-That word is absolutely fantastic.T- You'll need 1. Crack 2. A rubber tube 3. One Master Combination lock 4. A burning desire.
1. Remove dial from Master lock
2. Insert Crack in housing
3. Move Latch to Open position and insert tube.
4. Place tube in mouth, spark up that crack, kick in that burning desire & enjoy!
Really? I would've thought that the question of how you're going to remove a master lock dial with your bare hands would be a little more pressing...But I suppose in your Crack-Addled state, that removing a steel dial from a shotgun proof (thanks Stephen King!) housing should prove little difficulty.
You can just use the keyhole on the back of the lock instead (if one is present) and use the latch hole as it is, but you risk burning your lips... but the crack dulls that pain.-m
A great deal of discussion on a book I haven't even read yet. A new record?And all because of ambulothanatophobia!
Good point about the converging voices. I knew there was something fundamentally wrong with this book, but I couldn't put my finger on it; and I do believe that you've hit it perfectly. I've read my share of zombie fiction, and as far as that goes it's a pretty good effort despite.-m
@Fogus: Yeppers; it was the one thing with which I had a "problem". The so-called "feral child" interview was where it stuck out most glaringly. I know he tried to make up for it with all of the little [asides describing her changes in tone of voice] but it seemed a bit artificial. Everything else about this novel was spot-on.
I liked the book, I did -- however, I have to admit that my reading pace picked up during the last 50 pages. I think if you were to take all of the concepts presented in this book, and drew a Venn diagram between the different voices against each concept you would see a lot of overlap. Methinks this was behind my speedy pace.-m
