This is the first bit of zombie fiction I've read, and I'd been interested in it for a while. It was the first purchase I made my shiny new Kindle, and I read it very quickly in 3 days over Christmas. I have to say, it's pretty awesome!

I really enjoyed this book, and I found it to be a really refreshing way to present a zombie apocalypse. I particularly liked the different reactions in different countries and their political and cultural differences. The USA initially tried to downplay it, then capitalists profit from selling inaffective vaccines and wards, the Chinese are still preoccupied with with keeping their militarised state despite their impending doom of their large population, the Japanese being forced to evacuate their homeland. The difficult moral and ethical decisions that had to be made by governments were well explored I think, Redeker's Plan making so much practical sense but entails horrifying sacrifices. I found it interesting that the author chose South Africa to be the leader in that area (the politics of the apartheid perhaps make it easier to believe) and that Israel and Palestine put aside difference to save their people. This is really quite complex book, that weaves a huge global tapestry of events and choices.. all of which I found to paint a picture of a realistic nightmare.

Zombies have to be fought on all sides.. land, water, snow. Max Brooks tackles the problems with underwater zombies, frozen zombies and underground zombies left by the war. Even space and satellites aren't forgotten, with an interview with an astronaut that had to stay up in space for years in order to keep the satellite running!

There is a huge cast of characters telling their different perspectives and there are a few that I would have loved to hear more about - especially the two Japanese characters, Redeker's fate, and I really want to know what happened in North Korea!

Verdict: READ IT, READ IT NOW!

Over all I really enjoyed it, and I found it to be a very realistic presentation of what would happen if there really was a zombie outbreak! Especially the political and cultural anges. And it is terrifying. I don't know if if was because I had a bit of a Christmas flu when reading this, and I've been sleep deprived because of it.. but it's sent my imagination wild! I need to stop thinking about zombies. You could make some criticisms.. some of the "voices" of characters are very similar, and it can be difficult to keep track of who is who and where.. but I didn't bother with trying to do that, it isn't a novel about characters but more about events. I suggest you don't try to be all literary about it, and just enjoy it for what it is!

A word on the upcoming World War Z movie...

So after finishing the book I took a look at the trailer for the Brad Pitt adaption.. and I was confused. The trailer basically seems to have no resemblance to the book other than a world wide zombie outbreak, I looked at IMDb and the cast of characters are not ones I can remember reading about.. I don't understand why they would go to the trouble of getting the rights for the book if they are just going to make a different film? Other than it is a cool titles and they want to cash in on the popularity of the book. Maybe it is just a terrible trailer (it does look boring).. but I'm disappointed! This could and should make an awesome mockumentary style film.. like District 9 (freaking love District 9)! Or just pick some of the most interesting stories and following them. It could have been so good.. I don't want to see just a bit budget zombie blockbuster following Brad Pitt around the world, which is what this looks like. DISAPPOINTED. ( )

cea mai bună carte (post)apocaliptică pe care am citit-o, cinci stele nu-mi ajung să-mi exprim părerea. Dacă și-n ce a mai scris e la fel de bun, sper să mai citesc Max Brooks.
E realistă, sobră, atentă la detalii și la contexte culturale, rece și (imaginar) obiectivă, extrem de expresivă în pofida stilului (e pseudo-memorialistică, alcătuită din interviuri, deci nu există personaje propriu-zise sau o poveste continuă), reușește să transmită o doză bună de oroare fără a descrie direct scene horror, e captivantă, scrisă cu multă inteligență și finețe. Surprinde (și critică în fundal, indirect) foarte bine, deși subtil, societatea, politica și mentalitățile și prezintă foarte corect (dpdv sociologic) modul de reacție primară al grupurilor de oameni. Ar fi putut fi de fapt pornită de la orice altă invazie pretext (ET, sovietici ori era glaciară în loc de zombie) și ar fi fost exact aceeași carte, deci nu lăsați ”Z”-ul să vă descurajeze.
nu are nici o legătură cu porcăria de film omonim (din cauza căruia am ezitat mult să mă apuc de ea).
E copiată foarte prost de Wilson în Robocalipsa, o clonă pe care o contra-recomand puternic. ( )

One of the most unique and well written books I've read for fantasy/horror. By that I am referring to the style of interviewing subjects after an event took place, especially one as wild as a zombie apocalypse. And beyond that, Brooks really spread his net wide and covered so many different subjects that not a single story within this book was not interesting. Top 5 in my favorites of all time. ( )

Maybe the fact that this book is about zombies might turn some people off, but the fact is, that this book is more than just a zombie book. This is a book about survival. And it is not just a survival book, it is a very well written, entertaining, survival book that happens to be about a zombie war, that I would recommend to almost everyone. Hands down, Max Brooks knows what he is doing, and he does it well. Read it, you'll know what I mean. ( )

3.5 Stars

Book 19 in my Zombie-a-thon!

CW: described suicides of people who do not want to turn into zombies after being infected, gore, loss of loved ones, death

Well that was a mixed bag but overall a very engaging book. Some of the people interviewed told brilliantly frightening stories of zombie hordes sweeping through their towns. On the other hand, the interviews with authority figures whilst necessary for context, were dull as dishwater. I listened to this as an audiobook so appreciated the use of voice actors to reflect the international nature of the apocalypse. Very entertaining! ( )