Book Review: World War Z by Max Brooks
Jun. 25th, 2009 02:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
juushikaTitle: World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War
Editor: Max Brooks
Published: New York: Three Rivers Press, 2006
Rating: 3 of 5
Page Count: 342
Total Page Count: 81,018
Text Number: 232
Read For: personal enjoyment, borrowed from a friend of Devon's
Short Review: Humanity has survived the zombie apocalypse, and in its aftermath one reporter compiles interviews that span the globe and the war's timeline, tracking progress of the war around the globe, from the first infected through the aftermath of all-out war. Exploring classic, slow zombies from an unusual, extensive, world-wide view, World War Z is an impressive effort. Initially it's fascinating, but as it continues it becomes increasingly unbelievable and, as a result, less intriguing and frightening. It remains an absorbing, unusual novel and I recommend it on that basis—but it doesn't fulfill its promise or potential.
World War Z explores unoriginal zombies in an original way. The zombies here are in classic form: slow, unintelligent, and hungry for human flesh. It's been done before, but perhaps not so extensively: from the first victims to full-on war, from rural China to Windsor Castle to urban America, from isolated civilian survivors to techno-provisioned military forces, World War Z investigates the worldwide events and impact of a zombie apocalypse from beginning nearly to the end. It's an impressive effort which elevates otherwise-unremarkable zombies to a worldwide terror which is well worth the reader's attention. The interview format introduces personal stories and a human element which makes the effects of the zombies all the more terrifying. It must have taken an impressive amount of research: topics range from apocalyptic survival to submarine warfare, and there's a hefty dose of international politics.
And yet—no matter the scope, research, or detail—World War Z is unconvincing. The zombies are the worst of it: Brooks skates around scientific explanations by stating that no one has them, yet; this works the first few times, but as the zombies continue to evade science and common sense they become both less believable and frightening. Meanwhile, some plot points (in particular the American government's early response to the outbreaks) strike me as comically improbable, and the "human element" is compromised by attempts to make each interview too remarkable, resulting in bombastic and maudlin storytelling, or cover too much emotional or factual territory, making interviews artificially concise and turning interviewees into caricatures. One after another, these little gaffes chip away at an otherwise unusual, fascinating novel. Zombies can be good Halloween fun, but World War Z sets out to make them a believable and immediate terror—and fails, just because the zombies and their war don't feel real. It's a good attempt, and an engrossing quick read, but I hoped for better. Moderately recommended.
Review posted here on Amazon.com.
Editor: Max Brooks
Published: New York: Three Rivers Press, 2006
Rating: 3 of 5
Page Count: 342
Total Page Count: 81,018
Text Number: 232
Read For: personal enjoyment, borrowed from a friend of Devon's
Short Review: Humanity has survived the zombie apocalypse, and in its aftermath one reporter compiles interviews that span the globe and the war's timeline, tracking progress of the war around the globe, from the first infected through the aftermath of all-out war. Exploring classic, slow zombies from an unusual, extensive, world-wide view, World War Z is an impressive effort. Initially it's fascinating, but as it continues it becomes increasingly unbelievable and, as a result, less intriguing and frightening. It remains an absorbing, unusual novel and I recommend it on that basis—but it doesn't fulfill its promise or potential.
World War Z explores unoriginal zombies in an original way. The zombies here are in classic form: slow, unintelligent, and hungry for human flesh. It's been done before, but perhaps not so extensively: from the first victims to full-on war, from rural China to Windsor Castle to urban America, from isolated civilian survivors to techno-provisioned military forces, World War Z investigates the worldwide events and impact of a zombie apocalypse from beginning nearly to the end. It's an impressive effort which elevates otherwise-unremarkable zombies to a worldwide terror which is well worth the reader's attention. The interview format introduces personal stories and a human element which makes the effects of the zombies all the more terrifying. It must have taken an impressive amount of research: topics range from apocalyptic survival to submarine warfare, and there's a hefty dose of international politics.
And yet—no matter the scope, research, or detail—World War Z is unconvincing. The zombies are the worst of it: Brooks skates around scientific explanations by stating that no one has them, yet; this works the first few times, but as the zombies continue to evade science and common sense they become both less believable and frightening. Meanwhile, some plot points (in particular the American government's early response to the outbreaks) strike me as comically improbable, and the "human element" is compromised by attempts to make each interview too remarkable, resulting in bombastic and maudlin storytelling, or cover too much emotional or factual territory, making interviews artificially concise and turning interviewees into caricatures. One after another, these little gaffes chip away at an otherwise unusual, fascinating novel. Zombies can be good Halloween fun, but World War Z sets out to make them a believable and immediate terror—and fails, just because the zombies and their war don't feel real. It's a good attempt, and an engrossing quick read, but I hoped for better. Moderately recommended.
Review posted here on Amazon.com.
