A review by nelsta
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks

3.0

Sometimes I’ll go back and watch “old” movies or television shows and wonder at how they were ever popular. The special effects can be dated and the writing often disjointed. This book was like the literary version of a 80’s action flick: pure vapid fun.

I first read Max Brooks in high school. Back then the zombie craze was in full-swing. I’m not sure what influence Mr. Brooks had on the genre (at least back then), but I’m willing to bet he had a lot. World War Z has been adapted into a 2013 movie starring Brad Pitt and a 2019 video game that gets pretty good reviews. For a book originally published in 2006, I’d say that’s pretty good.

Re-reading the book in 2022, however, was more of a deep-dive into mid-2000s pop culture than anything else. While the book isn’t as dated as some of the old gun-and-muscle movies from my parents’ generation, it probably will be eventually. Parts of the book were entertaining. But I had to wade through a lot of narrative doldrums to get there.

If you’re incredibly bored or starved for entertainment, check this book out at your library.