How does a person turn into a zombie? Which is the best
weapon for killing a zombie? How can you get physically ready to battle the
undead? How can you make your house ghoul proof? How will you be able to
survive in a world which has been overrun by them in the millions? Did you know
that Srinagar witnessed a Zombie attack in 1996 but it was covered up under the
guise of an infiltration bid?
Max Brooks, the author of the absolutely mind blowing World
War Z, answers all these questions with a seriousness and intensity which would
leave the reader rattled.
Divided into chapters which begin from the very origin of
the Zombie myth, the narrative races through chapters detailing the expected
and the ideal human response during the fight and the flight modes.
The last bit, which covers almost seventy pages, is all
about the recorded Zombie attacks. Starting from 60,000 B.C., Brooks recounts
incidents up till 2002.
It actually took me a while to really involve myself in the
book. However, the chapter about the flight mode made me sit up and after that
it was a stunning read till the end.
Brooks unveils his rapier like sense of humor (inherited, perhaps,
from his father, the great Mel Brooks) on nearly every page and the reader
would laugh out loud, both from reading (and in some cases, rereading) these
gems and because of the relief they bring to what is actually a grim read about
a near impossible vision of the future.
This is a blockbuster debut by Monsieur Max.
Brooks is obviously passionate about Zombies. The level of research he has done and the amount of thought which has gone into the book is evident from the content list itself. It is always a pleasure to read the first book of an author who has recently become a favorite. Please read this and World War Z to explore the pleasure and the pain of the undead.
I am a Mel Brooks fan too..this sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe apple hasn't fallen too far from the tree. Brooks junior is as brilliant as the father. However, I think you should probably read World War Z (which was Brook's second book)first to truly appreciate his genius.
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