Review #2

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2006. Paperback, 342 pages; $21.00.

Appropriate for grades 10 and up.

Rated: 3.5 / 4

 “We talk about it today as if it is some feat of magic, like holy water or a silver bullet, but why wouldn’t destruction of the brain be the only way to annihilate these creatures? Isn’t it the only way to annihilate us as well?”

The zombie apocalypse, the greatest and deadliest conflict in human history, is all but a distant reality. However, for the fortunate millions who have survived the wounds are still very real, likely never to truly heal. At a time when many are wishing to forget the terror and the devastation of the war, one determined individual has made it his goal and responsibility to record the experiences of these victims. The culmination of this effort is World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War.

Despite being the stuff of pure fiction, the personal testimonies evoke an unflinching sense of realism. Each character, from the first—a Chinese doctor who encounters the earliest plague-ridden causalities, to the last—a grizzled, combat-hardened veteran who participated in the ‘road to New York’ military offensive, provides insight that is unique and significant to the understanding of this cumulative narrative; although, in most instances each personal account is substantive and enjoyable to be read individually.

While this is unmistakably a zombie driven plot, at the heart of the book is the classic tale of human adaptability and survival; it is in this story which readers will gravitate towards and identify with most closely. However, as the novel is very much premised on the happenings of contemporary society, that which is related to current and historic geopolitical and economic structures and systems, it may prove to be out of the reach or interest of many. Similarly, as the content is graphic in nature, including coarse language, and mature themes related to violence and death (particularly on a mass scale), this book may be inappropriate for younger audiences. Outside of content, certain readers may also be unimpressed with the unconventional nature of the book’s narrative, judging its delivery to be clumsy and ultimately lazy.

Nevertheless, World War Z represents a valuable contribution to the ever expanding and popular zombie genre; this book is highly recommended, although its appeal may only be appreciated by those interested in horror or post-apocalyptic themed books. Max Brooks is also author of The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead.