World War Z

3.52/5.00

Published: 2006

Genre: Post-apocalyptic

Goodreads

World War Z isn’t particularly horrifying, but it does make an interesting read. Other reviews I’ve read are critical of the journalistic style, following interviews of various survivors. I think it distinguishes this book from other zombie apocalypse stories. Usually, you have the lone hero who comes upon another group of survivors and restores civilization. Such works tend to focus on characterization. The Walking Dead relies on character development. By the nature of this story, you don’t have much of a chance to bond with a specific character. It focuses more on the phenomenon of a zombie outbreak itself and the human response to it. Compared to comedic zombie takes, such as iZombie, though, it is a more standard zombie tale.

It isn’t a beautiful prose, but it feels real and human. Nothing about it struck me as particularly profound or brilliant. It isn’t as clearly dramatic as you would expect from an apocalyptic story.

It resembles the Brad Pitt film even less than usual movie adaptations. I’m grateful for that. The book is a smarter, more interesting portrayal of a zombie outbreak.

How do I get you to read this book? Most likely, you’ve already read it. Truthfully, it isn’t phenomenal and doesn’t leave me wanting more. It’s a mediocre zombie story where the zombies are largely absent. If you’re more interested in a book that details how desperate humans, globally, react to an apocalypse than style, characters or a complex plot, this is the book for you.

Max Brooks, zombie writer, also worked in acting (including as a voice actor), though lesser known for it. Recently he spoke at West Point. The talk is available to view on his site.