While I am a little late to reading Max Brook’s World War Z, the piece of fiction takes a fun
look at how the world would react to not only a global pandemic that wipes out masses
of people but also the mythical reanimation of these people into mindless
creatures capable of spreading a spawn of infection. Instead of just running
from disease, we also fall prey to those who die off from the infection. The
ultimate fear: Zombies. Brooks takes the perspective of a United Nations
researcher tracing the rise and fall of zombies as well as humanities response.
He interviews key players, government officials, and survivors in general. As
he tracks around the world we learn first about how the disease spread, then
how governments failed to respond, and then how those few lucky ones either
avoided infection or used scorched earth tactics to protect as much of humanity
as possible.
All of these components are expected, but where Brooks adds
depth and character is with his unique vision of how the world will act and
respond. In Israel, the world is walled off, the populace protected, and all
are welcome who remain free of infection. In Cuba, a communist island decimated
by poverty becomes first a refuge and then an economic mecca. While the world
is obviously reshaped, the style and depth that Brooks explores keeps the pages
turning. The reader dives into the narrative, lamenting over civilizations fall
and looking for answers as to how they reach a point of stability. If you’re
looking for a quick read, check the text out.
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