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Dark Recollections
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June BOTM - Dark Recollections
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Let's "get it on like Donkey Kong," as Adrian says early on in his journal!1. "Adrian's Undead Diary" is told from the first person narrative entries of Adrian as he types away on a laptop. How do you feel about this journal-style of zombie fiction? Is it effective as a literary style for survivor fiction, or is it over played? What do you think?
2. Adrian is full of remorse in his journal for not attempting to rescue his girlfriend Cassie after the outbreak, as she had gone to work in the city and he figured she was pretty much a goner. Then he spends the rest of this section attempting the rescue of other family members and friends, who lived outside the city limits. What would you have done in his situation? Would you have attempted a potentially suicidal rescue mission for your girl (or guy?), or would you have taken Adrian's path and look for the logical survivors? (I can't help thinking of Glenn from The Walking Dead here.)
3. Adrian witnesses a man run over by a soccer-van mom rise up as the undead. An earlier CDC broadcast announced that infection was spread by bites. Later, at his mom's retirement home, he realizes the "Methuselahs" became zombies after they had died a natural death. What do you think is really going on?
4. How do you like the story so far? Any thoughts or comments?
1. I really enjoyed the author's style of writing. I found it easy to read and never lost interest. In general, I've liked the journal-type stories, but they can vary all over the place in style. I find this one engaging. Some can be stand-offish.2. The lack of search for Cassie seemed strange given all of the other trips he was making. What concerned me is that the more he loaded up with supplies, the more likely he was to get hijacked at some point during the trip. Easier for an armed thug to carjack a loaded vehicle than go into a store and fight dozens of people for supplies.
I do wonder if his Mom would still be alive if she had been first priority.
Since you mention Glenn of TWD. I was not happy with Glenn and Maggie this past season. Both were too obsessed. I don't even recall Maggie even mentioning her sister.
3. He mentioned that he never really got the connection at the time. It sounds to me a lot like TWD. That is, bites pass on something that kills. But almost any death results in reanimation. So, it could appear that bites were the only cause of reanimation. They would certainly be the major cause of death.
4. I'm loving it. A solid 4-star for me so far.
One thing did surprise me. He should have invited the couple with the 3-year-old son to join him at the school. An extra hand when scavenging or patrolling could have been a big help. They also might have had knowledge that would have been useful.
Since he was so generous in giving them food in the beginning, I was also surprised he didn't offer them a fill of their gas tank.
A priority would have been some sort of solar panels. Or at least some alternative way to generate electricity. Wind power, maybe?
Hmm. Did he mention whether the plumbing was working at the school?
I agree about the couple and the 3 year old. As much as I love horror fiction, I hate to read about violence towards kids. Leaving that 3 year old with looney tunes mom was that kid's death sentence.
Thanks for picking DR for the month. If you guys have any direct questions for me, ask away. :)DR is book one obviously, and it's a incredibly focused book centered on Adrian's inner turmoil, rather than the apocalypse as a whole. Many folks read it expecting a large scope book, and in fact, it's far more about guilt, mistakes, being selfish and regretting it, and all the chaos and confusion as a man tries to decide if he's brave, or not.
It's a weird book, but a popular one.
Ask away if you have any questions, and I hope you guys love it.
Hi Chris, Thanks for stepping in to the discussion!
Hi Randy, Randy wrote: "A priority would have been some sort of solar panels. Or at least some alternative way to generate electricity. Wind power, maybe? ..."
He was seriously scoping out the timber on the island, I remember. That's about as alternative as I would get - sounds like some serious work to me.
The journal style for me was boring after awhile, and the main story felt disjointed. Adrian had some funny stories that I was laughing about and his language was awesome. I think I highlighted half the book for those only. Adrian for sure has his own voice. The plot was just zombie, rinse, wash, repeat. He never connected with anyone...and everyone he did small talk to....DIED. It doesn't make sense because he is trying to build a safe haven. Really he's like gonna wait till the complex is ready and then rescue everyone...they'll be all gone before he tries to find them. I will add some more I have to flip screens to go back through the story. I am glad that Chris added "Phil's Story" and "Soccer Mom".
A comment on Phil's story that is not a spoiler -- when Phil describes Adrian, did it come close to the picture you painted in your head of Adrian based on his story?Mine wasn't close at all. And it explained to me a lot of why the gas station scene occurred the way it did, with the family with the 3-year-old.
Haven't got to Phil's story yet, but I am interested in filling in missing pieces of why..
Meghan wrote: "It doesn't make sense because he is trying to build a safe haven."But he never does say for anyone else, right? He was really only interested in the short list of people he was checking on.
He kind of admits he's a loner, with just the cat for company. And never really shows us a yearning for more companionship.
But securing and keeping such a large compound safe and habitable, all by himself?
Again, I think Phil's description of him kind of fills in a few of those gaps. At least for me.
Randy wrote: "Meghan wrote: "It doesn't make sense because he is trying to build a safe haven."But he never does say for anyone else, right? He was really only interested in the short list of people he was che..."
Interesting point. One of the aspects of this book is how Adrian grows from being selfish to... well, keep reading.
Chris? Non-spoiler question for ya.Nov 2nd journal entry -- why the need to recap what happened on the Oct 31st entry? We just read it.
The Oct 31st entry started out good, but fell apart for me as a reader when the action started. It just felt too contrived. Everything prior to that has flowed well. At least for me.
Randy one of the things with AUD is the recap issue. When AUD was first written, it was posted as a web-serial, and written in real time. The entries were posted on the day they were dated, and readers had to wait the actual time between dates.As a result, some of the entries have recaps, like a television show would. I left a few of those recaps in when it went to print in the first book, but most of them got edited out in latter books in the series.
That explain it?
Yup. Thanks. It was just a tad annoying. :)
Yeah I know what you're saying. As I said, the vast majority of them are edited now, but once in awhile they'll crop up.
I noticed some of the recaps too, that explains why I felt the same thing was happening over and over again. I think once you read Phil's story you will see what I mean't about how everyone he impacted. That's why..I was like ok you are building this place for survivors but...you aren't even trying to bring in people...it's too late now..well I suppose till the next book...
Randy wrote: "Meghan wrote: "It doesn't make sense because he is trying to build a safe haven."But he never does say for anyone else, right? He was really only interested in the short list of people he was che..."
I went back and checked the beginning of the book, he had friends which he went to check on and a girlfriend. He was in the army, he had a job at the school and even admits that he misses them. I don't think he was a loner before the SHTF only afterwards.
I forgot to say to Chris, Adrian is an awesome character! I love the way he talks! Mr.Journal....examples: sub-par toilet paper used too long your asshole WiLL get chapped. Nobody wants a chapped ass.How he imitates a pirate talking about vitamin c and scurvy.
He yells at god for making zombies hard to kill and says What did I do wrong? Cornhole a nun..lol.
I did see Adrian said he hated people. Now I'm confused. Glad we picked this book, it really made me laugh.
Meghan I'm glad you're digging it.Adrian and the journal is complex, and it was written to reflect an actual person's mind breaking down during major crisis. I work in mental health as my 'day job' and people are rarely straight forward, predictable, or honest, even with themselves. So much of Adrian's crap in book one is bluster. He's trying to delude himself into thinking he did the right things, and that he's tough, and that he has a plan. When in fact... he's grasping for straws, and hasn't been the best person. Again, it's all about growth as a person with him.
:)
Chris -- you interested in typos and such?
Not hearing about them. :) AUD was intentionally written flawed, and the typos and incorrect words are intentional. Adrian's not the kind of guy who always hit spellcheck, and too much editing, or too much polish felt insincere to me.The side fictions might have a typo or two (even editors miss stuff) so if you see something there, shoot it my way!
I got the book because it sounded so interesting based on the discussion here. I'm glad I did. In fact, I liked it so much that I just bought the second one.Some of the typos did kind of grate on me because, well, I'm just uppity about these things. Your explanation, Chris, did settle right down. I agree--it does fit the character.
I liked the device of devoting a couple of chapters to characters who encountered Adrian peripherally in stories he already told us from his perspective. I thought it was interesting and innovative. They were just the right length as well, not too long and not too short.
I think you did a really nice job with this story, Chris. Adrian is a great character, not too perfect and with enough depth to be interesting and likeable. I'm looking forward to reading more of the series.
PS I also work in mental health as my day job (Well, my night job since I work graveyard).
Debra thanks! I'm on third shift right now as well as I transition into being a full time author. It helps that I can write while at work.
That's one of the joys of working vampire hours--you generally do have a lot of time to kill. You've put those hours to good use. Keep it up! I'm rooting for you to be able to make that transition soon.
Thanks Deb. I'm ready to do it now, but the facility I work for needs the help until August, and I could always use the extra money.Turns out writing is work. A lot of work.
Back to the book!
1. The second part of our reading is sandwiched between "Phil's Story" and "Soccer Mom". "McGreevey's Report" is also included between some of Adrian's journal entries. What do you think of these stories from the secondary characters? Do you feel it adds to or detracts from the story?2. The fecal matter seems to hit the fan quite rapidly in a few scenes in this reading section. At the gun store in Phil's story, the car driver and the kid seem to spread the disease quickly to the 2 EMTs and others. Several bitten people run off to continue the contagion. In the classroom scene with school marm Mrs. Goodell and two zombie kids, a crazed dad with a shotgun creates enough deadly havoc to spread the disease some more. If you were in any of these situations, how would you have reacted? Would you have acted any differently than Adrian (aside from his period of unconsiousness?). Do you think you would have been successful in containing the spread?
3. There are several suicides in this reading section as well....Mr. Moore, Phil, MILFy. If you were in any of these characters' situations, what would you have done?
4. What are your favorite parts or sequences so far? What are your least favorite?
1. I liked Phil's story. It added a lot for me, to see Adrian from someone else's point of view. I had envisioned some 20-something, lanky, nerdy kid with only a slight sense of authority about him. But Phil's description made him into someone to contend with. That's why the family encounter felt more real to me. Approaching Phil's version of Adrian WOULD have made the family very nervous and skittish. And suspect of any kindness he'd show.
2. I thought Phil's story was a very powerful sidestep to Adrian's journal entries. The whole thing seemed very rational for most of the characters. I'm surprised they could afford to post the officer outside, but given the family relationship...
There was never going to be a good resolution to the crazed father. But I do think Mrs. Goodell was being a bit hard-assed. Although given two dead kids in closets, what else to do? She knew the deaths were not going to be taken well by the crazed father.
I was not happy with the contrivance of Adrian going unconscious at such a time.
3. I think I'd be dead before I got to the point where a choice could be made. But I don't think suicide is totally out there in those situations.
And I do think the thoughts of "what point is there..." are valid. But, as they say, "Life is a bitch. Then you die."
4. I think the whole campus-clearing scene is my favorite. The use of Lady GaGa to attract the zombies to a specific point.
And, as mentioned, my least would be Adrian being unconscious is the midst of the zombie group.
I'm liking the book so far. Adrian's got a good voice, and although he can get a bit whiney, he also has a good sense of humor, which really came out in some of his later journal entries when he's in foraging mode and collecting his wood and cement and building supplies.The Lady GaGa CD to attract the zombies was well done. I also remember another book we read where the automobile soundtrack to attract the zombies was a classical piece - was it the Marriage of Figaro? or something like that? Gotta wonder what the zombies would prefer...
@ Netanella Yes it was The Marriage of Figaro and it was from Day by Day Armageddon. I have to think even Zombies would have the good taste to prefer Fig over Gaga!
Awesome questions Netanella. And Randy that's cool feedback, thanks for sharing it.
I think Adrian likes venison. Just a little. :)
It's the 24th and we are open to discuss the last third of the book, and of course the book in its entirety, without fear of spoilers. Does anyone feel a need for a set of final questions?
I'm curious what others thought of the end of the "Soccer Mom" chapter. I liked the ending, but I was VERY surprised at it.These sideline stories are not ones with happy endings.
They are nice little "short stories" -- with a beginning, middle, and end. I see far too many 6-page Kindle books being sold that aren't nearly as well written, tight, and to the point.
And they do give a lot of insight into Adrian's character. It was interesting to see the already known situations from a different perspective. I liked the way they fit into the overall story being told by the rest of the book.
Well done, Chris!
Thanks Randy! the side stories are a concept that I loved, and folks have enjoyed. it was a gamble that paid off. future books have as many as five of them.
Do we get to find out what happened to Soccer Mom's son who was left strapped in the car unconscious?
yes. not every loose end gets closure though. just the way the works is...
Randy wrote: "I'm curious what others thought of the end of the "Soccer Mom" chapter. I liked the ending, but I was VERY surprised at it.These sideline stories are not ones with happy endings.
They are nice l..."
I love love love the side stories. I agree with you that they give extra insight into Adrian. Gotta say I liked the soccer Mom ending as well. Her poor husband is having a very bad day - makes me feel a little macabre for enjoying it so much - but the fate of the pickup truck jerk was very satisfying. Big fan of authors who don't wuss out on the realism. Not all endings are "happy".
I didn't read along with you guys - waited for the audiobook. But I'll just add that the only thing I didn't like about this book so far is that I know I'll have to wait FOREVER for the next one. I listen while I work out or am traveling and I usually "ration" my audiobooks so I don't burn through them so quickly. This one I enjoyed so much I just said to heck with it and listened an extra 4 hours on my patio last night. I'll be finishing it tonight. The off humor was great too. I may never stop laughing at "creepy as old man balls"!
Thia I just approved the start of production on book two in audio if that helps any...
Chris wrote: "Thia I just approved the start of production on book two in audio if that helps any..."Fantastic! I'll be waiting - sorta patiently ;)
BTW I loved the little Veteran's Day aside from Adrian. Way too many of these books have the military as a caricatured villain that I find not only boring and overused but often offensive. They are usually slobbering maniacal violent d-bags and have fallen into murder and mayhem two days into the zompocalypse. Ugh! If you have so low an opinion of the military - fine - but put it on the book jacket so I don't waste my time. It's so common I immediately had a sense of dread when Adrian mentioned Veteran's Day - and then I was oh so pleasantly surprised.
Any comment on the grocery store assault?I liked that the group that thought they had it made by occupying the grocery store ended up defending it and that the newly dead on each side are probably what lost the battle for both sides.
At first, I was kinda pissed off that the guy on the roof tried to kill Adrian without even talking to him first. But given the assault that had recently occurred, I can see it being a reasonable thing to do.
And pretty smart of him to let Adrian kill as many zombies as possible FIRST!
little bits of intelligence on the parts of the "bad guys" I find makes the story much more believable.
Here's the schedule for when questions will be posted.
1. Read first section through the beginning of "Phil's Story" (about 81 pages) I'll post questions on June 14
2. Read second section through the beginning of "Soccer Mom" (about 174 pages)> I'll post questions on June 19
3. Read third and last section till the end. I'll post questions on June 24