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A review by badseedgirl
The Living Dead by George A. Romero, Daniel Kraus
5.0
Zombies have been an obsession of mine for more years than I can even count, and my heart broke just a little when I heard of George A. Romero's death in July of 2017. I was thrilled when I heard that there was a zombie book written by Mr. Romero, and I have been on the library waiting list for this book since it was released August 2020. I think it is a mark of how well respected George A. Romero is, that I finally received my digital copy of this novel in March on 2021, seven months after I requested it. There are still 23 people waiting on hold for a copy. This is not the book that has been on my TBR list the longest, but was one of the most highly anticipated ones.
First let me start off by saying, I started this book with some trepidation. I am still having flashbacks from the last [a:Daniel Kraus|2782638|Daniel Kraus|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1570627730p2/2782638.jpg] book I read, [b:Rotters|18416921|Rotters|Daniel Kraus|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1410769889l/18416921._SX50_.jpg|13440919]. If you like truly disturbing books, I would highly recommend this one. But, I digress. I swore I would not read another Daniel Kraus book, but when I put my name on The Living Dead, I did not realize he was the co-author.
After reading this book, I have decided to give Mr. Kraus another try. The way he seamlessly incorporated his writing and Mr. Romero's was wonder. I really was unable to tell where his work started and ended. My only complaint about this book was the one complaint many had, it was a tad too long. If you read the afterward by Mr. Kraus, it seems like he was a true fan and tried to get as many ideas Mr. Romero left into the book. It seems like there was a rough story arc and several story ideas, but no true outline to follow in the writing.
The thing is, after reading it and thinking about it, I was not sure what I would have cut from the story to make it shorter. I suppose it could have been broken up into a couple books, but than Mr. Kraus and the publishers ran the risk of being accused of a money grab using the name of George A. Romero. All in all, they made the best decision possible in the situation.
I loved the concept of experiencing the world through the zombies. I know this is not unique to this book. But it was one of the best examples of it. Annie Teller is the best example of this. I am tagging this section of the review with spoilers As was hinted at in Romero's movie "Dawn of the Dead" when the characters discuss why the zombies keep coming to the mall, and more specifically shown in "Day of the Dead" and "Land of the Dead," Romero's zombies are not the mindless eating machines one would originally think. They still maintain thoughts and higher desires, but in a more "hive" mind mentality.
George A. Romero will always have a special place in my heart, his movie "Night of the Living Dead" peeked what has become a life-long love affair with zombies. I can say without hesitation that the Romero Zombie is the reason I love zombie fiction in all it's guises. I had seen the movie "White Zombie" credited as the first zombie movie at about the same time I saw "Night of the Living Dead," and I can say that if this had been the only depiction of zombies, I'm quite confidant that they would never have become the juggernaut they are now. The world owes George A. Romero a debt of gratitude. This book is a fitting end to a brilliant man and career.
First let me start off by saying, I started this book with some trepidation. I am still having flashbacks from the last [a:Daniel Kraus|2782638|Daniel Kraus|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1570627730p2/2782638.jpg] book I read, [b:Rotters|18416921|Rotters|Daniel Kraus|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1410769889l/18416921._SX50_.jpg|13440919]. If you like truly disturbing books, I would highly recommend this one. But, I digress. I swore I would not read another Daniel Kraus book, but when I put my name on The Living Dead, I did not realize he was the co-author.
After reading this book, I have decided to give Mr. Kraus another try. The way he seamlessly incorporated his writing and Mr. Romero's was wonder. I really was unable to tell where his work started and ended. My only complaint about this book was the one complaint many had, it was a tad too long. If you read the afterward by Mr. Kraus, it seems like he was a true fan and tried to get as many ideas Mr. Romero left into the book. It seems like there was a rough story arc and several story ideas, but no true outline to follow in the writing.
The thing is, after reading it and thinking about it, I was not sure what I would have cut from the story to make it shorter. I suppose it could have been broken up into a couple books, but than Mr. Kraus and the publishers ran the risk of being accused of a money grab using the name of George A. Romero. All in all, they made the best decision possible in the situation.
I loved the concept of experiencing the world through the zombies. I know this is not unique to this book. But it was one of the best examples of it. Annie Teller is the best example of this. I am tagging this section of the review with spoilers
Spoiler
Throughout the book characters interact with his character, as she is driven to journey from Washington DC, across the entire country to meet her love at the La Brea Tar Pits. Even after she is bitten and converted to a zombie, she is still compelled to keep moving West. When she arrives at those tar pits, I will admit, I shed a few tears.George A. Romero will always have a special place in my heart, his movie "Night of the Living Dead" peeked what has become a life-long love affair with zombies. I can say without hesitation that the Romero Zombie is the reason I love zombie fiction in all it's guises. I had seen the movie "White Zombie" credited as the first zombie movie at about the same time I saw "Night of the Living Dead," and I can say that if this had been the only depiction of zombies, I'm quite confidant that they would never have become the juggernaut they are now. The world owes George A. Romero a debt of gratitude. This book is a fitting end to a brilliant man and career.