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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was probably the first book that I remember reading and loving it, yet this is barely my first time re-reading it, twelve years after it came out. A lot of it doesn’t work for me, from the unveiled focus on White Southerners’ nostalgic delusions of the good ol’ days, the unrealistic logistics of living in a post-zombie world, and the often racist, ableist, and misogynistic treatment of the side characters.
Still—only a couple of pages in, and I recognize just how deeply influential Bell’s prose has been on my writing all these years. Temple is an incredible character, even with her author’s flaws in her writing. This is a book that’s been with me for a long time and will continue to be, I imagine.
Still—only a couple of pages in, and I recognize just how deeply influential Bell’s prose has been on my writing all these years. Temple is an incredible character, even with her author’s flaws in her writing. This is a book that’s been with me for a long time and will continue to be, I imagine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Cannibalism
Minor: Incest, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Excrement, Alcohol
My favourite book this year by far, and one that just happens to contain zombies. Like other great post-apocalypse novels though, the setting is incidental to the characters and their story. It's a book about people and the zombies are just a part of their life rather than brain munching hordes jammed into every scene.
It'll probably be overlooked by lots of people because it goes that one step farther than things like 'The Road', which is a shame since it really is a beautifully written novel. There are a few strange decisions like not using quotation marks, and the technology and food seems a little too well preserved but that aside it really is a great read.
It'll probably be overlooked by lots of people because it goes that one step farther than things like 'The Road', which is a shame since it really is a beautifully written novel. There are a few strange decisions like not using quotation marks, and the technology and food seems a little too well preserved but that aside it really is a great read.
Yes, it's a zombie book, but it doesn't follow the typical zombie tropes. It probably feels so refreshing and different because the whole thing takes place at least a decade after the initial outbreak. People have settled into small colonies and have gotten used to surviving in the post zombie-apocalyptic world.
The narrative voice (third person, but definitely the voice of the protagonist, Temple) is very unusual. If you love flowery and poetic language, you won't like it. It's definitely a very character full voice. I think it added a nice layer to the story.
All in all, this was absolutely a fun monster-book read, but it wasn't the kind that lowers your IQ while you read it.
The narrative voice (third person, but definitely the voice of the protagonist, Temple) is very unusual. If you love flowery and poetic language, you won't like it. It's definitely a very character full voice. I think it added a nice layer to the story.
All in all, this was absolutely a fun monster-book read, but it wasn't the kind that lowers your IQ while you read it.
Who would've thought that Southern gothic paired so well with zombie apocalypse? I usually cannot stand the writing style that has no punctuation, but it really works in this novel. It's creepy and moving.
I have been reading a ton of dystopian lately and Temple is such a unique character. So wise beyond her years and such an amazing soul. Born into a world full of zombies and not really having anyone else around its surprising to see her content with her situation in life, very accepting and understanding of the way things are. Not that she likes it but she looks for the beauty in life and accepts the things she cannot change. Such a great way to be even in our times. A haunting and sad story but also so inspirational.
dark
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I never thought I’d find a zombie book so devastatingly beautiful, but here we are.
I knew I missed one! Read this back in January (sometime). Haunting apocalypse story with some X-files twists and no happy ending.