World War Z by Max Brooks (2006)

World War Z by Max Brooks (2006)

The inspiration for the 2013 movie of the same name.

Laura’s Rating: 4/5 Stars

Plot: A fictional account of a zombie apocalypse, told through interviews featuring various perspectives across the world.

Analysis: Listen to the audiobook!! I think the regular text might read a bit choppy, but the different voice actors portraying the perspectives from across the globe help relay the story as intended as a collected oral history. Rather than a singular narrative, as seen in the (excellent) movie adaptation starring Brad Pitt, the book jumps from a doctor encountering an early patient in China to a political strategy meeting in South Africa. 

As the reader, you get a look at the panic, confusion, desperation, and moral questions caused by a theoretical zombie apocalypse (although you could apply these concepts to more likely scenarios as well). The book highlights how skills like fixing toilets, sweeping chimneys, and knitting sweaters were suddenly much more valuable and lucrative than previously high paying jobs like those in entertainment, law, and hospitality.

As mentioned at one point in the book, most wars are won by wearing down the will of the enemy rather than eliminating every single one. In the case of the zombie war, they have no will and no logic and will simply fight to the bitter end each and every time. 

A theme in the book is the importance of individual stories in relaying history, rather than just broad facts and figures that don’t fully illustrate the situations being dealt with by leaders as well as everyday people.

Unlike so many books I read, this one was not too long and never boring. I almost wanted more, but maybe that would have ruined it. I’d recommend this book but definitely listen to it if possible!