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A review by 2treads
The Undead Truth of Us by Britney S. Lewis
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Lewis' story of love, loss and the undead had me riveted. I was gripped by Zhari's poignant grief, her isolation from an aunt who seems to have detached and moved on from their loss to her instant connection to new neighbour Bo.
The narrator's voice is mellow and transmits the tale with a gentle flow that I appreciated. As we get to know Zhari, we also begin to question if what she sees is real or a manifestation of her inability to move through how her mother died.
I love the use of zombies, how Lewis uses them as the medium through which Zhari confronts and accepts her grief, anger, hurt, and her awareness of how they exist in Haitian culture.
The decision to link unrequited love and emotional hurt to zombie transformation speaks to the ways in which we change in reaction to devastating losses. It was uniquely brilliant for Lewis to use a pop/horror icon to convey such a meaningful story.
The narrator's voice is mellow and transmits the tale with a gentle flow that I appreciated. As we get to know Zhari, we also begin to question if what she sees is real or a manifestation of her inability to move through how her mother died.
I love the use of zombies, how Lewis uses them as the medium through which Zhari confronts and accepts her grief, anger, hurt, and her awareness of how they exist in Haitian culture.
The decision to link unrequited love and emotional hurt to zombie transformation speaks to the ways in which we change in reaction to devastating losses. It was uniquely brilliant for Lewis to use a pop/horror icon to convey such a meaningful story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Gore
Minor: Infidelity