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rynstagram's review against another edition
3.5
This is an introspective zombie book, so it moves a little slowly, but Colson Whitehead has an ability to choose exactly the right diction and the main character's self-confessed mediocrity in an extraordinary world. Even if I had to look up a lot of word definitions... And a lot of the descriptions are visceral, especially when describing the sounds and sights of the zombies' bodies.
I mostly gave this a lower rating because the plot seemed to drag in a lot of places. This is just the nature of a novel like this, that takes place over only three days and thus involves lots of recollections and thoughts rather than more action.
It's not quite hopeful, but it's not quite hopeless. Somewhere in the middle. This is a world in which detachment from reality and an ability to not care too much are assets.
I think Whitehead creates a great satire of our current society by using this zombie plague to discuss mental illness & the wellness industry (PASD--post-apocalyptic stress disorder), corporate sponsorships of the human race's survival (including alcohol and other unnecessary indulgences), how everything has become an act & everywhere a stage (large-scale public relations that trick those involved and those who are watching), and how fitting in & skating by in life can be a defense mechanism (Mark Spitz's talent for flying under the radar, not too good or too bad at anything).
I mostly gave this a lower rating because the plot seemed to drag in a lot of places. This is just the nature of a novel like this, that takes place over only three days and thus involves lots of recollections and thoughts rather than more action.
It's not quite hopeful, but it's not quite hopeless. Somewhere in the middle. This is a world in which detachment from reality and an ability to not care too much are assets.
I think Whitehead creates a great satire of our current society by using this zombie plague to discuss mental illness & the wellness industry (PASD--post-apocalyptic stress disorder), corporate sponsorships of the human race's survival (including alcohol and other unnecessary indulgences), how everything has become an act & everywhere a stage (large-scale public relations that trick those involved and those who are watching), and how fitting in & skating by in life can be a defense mechanism (Mark Spitz's talent for flying under the radar, not too good or too bad at anything).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Addiction, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence, and War
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