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schoofly's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
johnkinnison's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
jurassicreads's review against another edition
5.0
I've had this one on my shelves for ~6 years and ultimately my avoidance of it was this: I was afraid it would be as bad as the movie. Short answer: it was FAR BETTER. I think that if the movie took even an ounce of what this book is about and had filmed THAT, it would have done much better.
This book is told in an interview-anthology format, where the 'narrator' is practically voiceless while characters tell their personal stories that took place during World War Z, an even that happened years prior. There are dozens of accounts, ranging from doctors, soldiers, and normal citizens. They are emotional, scary, and truly disgusting at times.
One of my favorite parts of science fiction movies and books is HOW IT ALL STARTED, the early stages of an outbreak or major event. I find human reaction to an event and how it developed in the early stages to be fascinating. This book encapsulates the ultimate human reaction to a slow-growing event: the spread of a zombie virus.
I loved this! Unique format and very in-depth characterization of MANY different characters in a way that isn't overwhelming.
This book is told in an interview-anthology format, where the 'narrator' is practically voiceless while characters tell their personal stories that took place during World War Z, an even that happened years prior. There are dozens of accounts, ranging from doctors, soldiers, and normal citizens. They are emotional, scary, and truly disgusting at times.
One of my favorite parts of science fiction movies and books is HOW IT ALL STARTED, the early stages of an outbreak or major event. I find human reaction to an event and how it developed in the early stages to be fascinating. This book encapsulates the ultimate human reaction to a slow-growing event: the spread of a zombie virus.
I loved this! Unique format and very in-depth characterization of MANY different characters in a way that isn't overwhelming.
dwaite1's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
owls_rainbow's review against another edition
I didn't like the reporter style and none of the people spoken to had distinct voices and nothing was happening quickly enough.
laurenw22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
grizelybear's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I didn't realize this book would be delivered in a multi-interview format, but it was interesting. I almost want to see if there's an audiobook version, as I'm sure that's a good way to make this book more riveting.
Zombies are one of my favorite sub-genres of horror, so reading about how the world may respond and turn out if zombies ever attacked had been really fun for me. I am in awe of the author's imagination when it came to the lore and I honestly don't believe I could think up half of what he envisioned in this book. I also liked that each interviewee was written to have their own "voice" and that they also showed other countries' responses and perspectives, not just America's.
Unfortunately, some chapters were better written than the others, and some were just plain boring to me. It's probably all the politics and military terms that made me lose some of my interest. However, I still think this book was actually overall really good! Now I know why my brothers really liked this.
This isn't the book to read if you're looking for a fast, thrilling ride, but if you want to read about a lore-rich post apocalyptic world brought about by zombies, then you should give this a try.
Zombies are one of my favorite sub-genres of horror, so reading about how the world may respond and turn out if zombies ever attacked had been really fun for me. I am in awe of the author's imagination when it came to the lore and I honestly don't believe I could think up half of what he envisioned in this book. I also liked that each interviewee was written to have their own "voice" and that they also showed other countries' responses and perspectives, not just America's.
Unfortunately, some chapters were better written than the others, and some were just plain boring to me. It's probably all the politics and military terms that made me lose some of my interest. However, I still think this book was actually overall really good! Now I know why my brothers really liked this.
This isn't the book to read if you're looking for a fast, thrilling ride, but if you want to read about a lore-rich post apocalyptic world brought about by zombies, then you should give this a try.
raygersh's review against another edition
4.0
Unlike anything I've read before, World War Z is a historical account of the world's survival through the zombie apocalypse. It seems like a real historical text, where the author interviews survivors and gets firsthand accounts of how the world descended into zombie chaos. I really appreciated the style and approach Max Brooks took here.
This book was also so incredibly smart. I believed how everything happened. Now that we have experienced a worldwide pandemic, I understand how people, from the average citizen to health and government officials, reacted to the crisis. Max Brooks is so insightful in his analysis of human reaction to this kind of threat. It was really brilliantly researched.
Overall: A really interesting take on the zombie genre and a fun and thought-provoking read.
This book was also so incredibly smart. I believed how everything happened. Now that we have experienced a worldwide pandemic, I understand how people, from the average citizen to health and government officials, reacted to the crisis. Max Brooks is so insightful in his analysis of human reaction to this kind of threat. It was really brilliantly researched.
Overall: A really interesting take on the zombie genre and a fun and thought-provoking read.
mborer23's review against another edition
5.0
This book was a revelation. I'd never read the Zombie Survival Handbook but had read several reviews of the film "World War Z" which complained that it wasn't as good as the book, so I had to find out what the book was like.
I enjoy works of alternate history, and World War Z does not disappoint on that note. The book really makes you believe in the characters and feel every moment of the terror and will to survive they exhibit. I suspect some of the passages will stay with me for quite some time. I'm no zombie enthusiast, and I absolutely could not put this book down. Highly recommended for those who enjoy zombie fiction, alternate history, and apocalyptic fiction.
(Companion Viewing: Film School Rejects' "Ken Burns' World War Z," available on YouTube...that's how the film should have been done!)
I enjoy works of alternate history, and World War Z does not disappoint on that note. The book really makes you believe in the characters and feel every moment of the terror and will to survive they exhibit. I suspect some of the passages will stay with me for quite some time. I'm no zombie enthusiast, and I absolutely could not put this book down. Highly recommended for those who enjoy zombie fiction, alternate history, and apocalyptic fiction.
(Companion Viewing: Film School Rejects' "Ken Burns' World War Z," available on YouTube...that's how the film should have been done!)
tasha_bombastic's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0