World War Z
by Kaylyn Zeff, Staff Writer
Books are the pillars of learned society. People have written books on every subject imaginable: animals, plants, the human mind and body and zombie warfare. "World War Z," by Max Brooks, is one such book. It cleverly analyzes the human mind and body being affected by zombies.
The zombies aren’t from such games as "Resident Evil," swift-moving and capable of free thought. The zombies in Brooks’s expertly crafted novel are much more terrifying. These zombies will stop at nothing to reach their goal, infecting and consuming living flesh. Brooks paints horrific scenes that are strangely beautiful at the same time.
Far from being a conventional book, "World War Z" is an “oral history of the zombie war.” It clocks in at just over 340 pages, making it, for some people, some pretty serious reading. Personally, I devoured the book, reading it nonstop until the final pages.
Brooks certainly uses powerful words and memorable scenes throughout the text. The novel itself is written from various people’s viewpoints, such as a military general or the creator of The Redeker Plan. The transitions are flawless when read together.
Imagine a small village in “old China,” where a small boy and his father go diving for long-lost family heirlooms that the Chinese government bulldozed over years before. Suddenly, a splash, and the father is missing. The young boy escapes with only a bite wound on his body. A few days later, the boy dies, only to reanimate into an abomination of the flesh. This is the terrifying opening scene in World War Z.
The virus spreads from China, but because China is so influential in the world, the top officials keep quiet about everything. After a while, the outbreaks become more commonplace as doctors are transplanting infected organs into dying patients. The facts become more skewed as the governments begin calling the zombie virus “African Rabies.” Little does the government know their actions will cause the Great Panic.
Taking a brief look at all the chapters gives a good insight of what the book is about. The first chapter is simply titled “Warnings.” Throughout the chapters are hints and misgivings as people try to dance around the threat of a zombie war, or zombies altogether.
The second chapter, “Blame,” has many great nations pointing fingers at one another, like children, trying to blame someone, anyone, for the monstrosities walking the earth. “The Great Panic” involves people the world over trying to do something, anything to escape the threat their governments covered up. This chapter is hard to read at times, as it’s filled with gruesome tales of mass exodus and death.
“Turning the Tide” has a double meaning, as the world tries to react to the zombie menace on land and at sea. “Home Front USA” details what is going on in the states and what the civilians are trying to accomplish. In the chapter “Around the World and Above,” people share stories about castle defense and space stations maintaining usability. The chapter titled “Total War” is the world’s strike back at the zombies and the government plans that spurred them. The final chapter, “Goodbyes,” is the shortest and details the final thoughts of a few people.
I loved the book. It drew me in by the cover, a bloodstained tome with "World War Z" written across it in all caps. When reading the book, I faded from society. It held my attention with an iron fist. Brooks is a master wordsmith and can paint a picture so vivid in my mind that it feels as if I’m taking part in the action myself. Some of the text had a profound effect on me, especially the canine forces.
Over the six or so months I’ve had the book, I’ve gotten a few people to read it, my mom included. While "World War Z" is certainly not a book for children, teenagers and adults will enjoy it immensely.
Max Brooks is the son of actor/director/comedian Mel Brooks and the late actress Anne Bancroft. "World War Z" is scheduled to become a full-length film sometime in 2010 or 2011. The "Zombie Survival Guide," referenced in the text a few times, is a great companion book, also written by Brooks. Both books can be purchased at a local bookstore or online.
[comments] |
