World War Z: Difference between revisions
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== Description == |
== Description == |
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Taking place in the 2010s, the book charts a war against the undead from global [[pandemic]] to mass panic, and then to an armed struggle to reclaim the planet. Rather than a grand overview or a single perspective, ''World War Z'' is instead [[Epistolary novel|a collection of individual accounts]], each revealing an aspect of the larger plot and simultaneously presenting a very personal tale. These different accounts take the form of interviews between the author and the characters. |
Taking place in the 2010s, the book charts a war against the undead from global [[pandemic]] to mass panic, and then to an armed struggle to reclaim the planet. Rather than a grand overview or a single perspective, ''World War Z'' is instead [[Epistolary novel|a collection of individual accounts]], each revealing an aspect of the larger plot and simultaneously presenting a very personal tale. These different accounts take the form of interviews between the author and the characters. |
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The Book shows [[South Africa]] playing a large part in world events, indeed, Paul Redeker, the man who devised the brilliant, but heartless, Redeker Plan, that is credited with saving humanity was South African. |
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The book draws from [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|post-apocalyptic]] and [[Zombies in popular culture|zombie]] literature. "The Great Panic" chapter describes the rout of civilization in a similar manner to [[H. G. Wells]]'s ''[[The War of the Worlds]]''. The tales cover many genres -- the story of a Chinese admiral who spent the war on a submarine would fit easily among [[techno-thriller]]s, and the story of Todd Wainio, an American soldier who takes part in the long struggle to regain the United States would appeal to many young adults. |
The book draws from [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|post-apocalyptic]] and [[Zombies in popular culture|zombie]] literature. "The Great Panic" chapter describes the rout of civilization in a similar manner to [[H. G. Wells]]'s ''[[The War of the Worlds]]''. The tales cover many genres -- the story of a Chinese admiral who spent the war on a submarine would fit easily among [[techno-thriller]]s, and the story of Todd Wainio, an American soldier who takes part in the long struggle to regain the United States would appeal to many young adults. |
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The viewpoint is not exclusively American, but rather focuses on the global nature of the struggle. This use of small personal tales creates a patchwork tapestry of the larger events unfolding in the book. Brooks addresses current issues such as [[environmentalism]], the [[War on Terrorism]] and international [[Health disparities|health care]]. He also offers an interesting juxtaposition between the modern world and that of post-war Earth. For example, [[Cuba]] ceases to be communist and becomes the world's leading economy, the [[Israelis]] and [[Palestinians]] make peace, [[Russia]] becomes a religious theocracy expanding in a similar manner to the [[USSR]] and conquering [[Belarus]]; it is hinted that [[Ukraine]] is next. [[China]] became a democracy with its population severely reduced, and [[Tibet]] becomes the most populous country. [[Mexico]] changes it's name to Aztlan and the [[British]] [[Queen]] becomes a national hero again. [[Ireland]], specifically the wartime refuge of the [[Pope]] and presumably most of the other members of the [[Vatican]] is a site of pilgrimage. |
The viewpoint is not exclusively American, but rather focuses on the global nature of the struggle. This use of small personal tales creates a patchwork tapestry of the larger events unfolding in the book. Brooks addresses current issues such as [[environmentalism]], the [[War on Terrorism]] and international [[Health disparities|health care]]. He also offers an interesting juxtaposition between the modern world and that of post-war Earth. For example, [[Cuba]] ceases to be communist and becomes the world's leading economy, the [[Israelis]] and [[Palestinians]] make peace, [[Russia]] becomes a religious theocracy expanding in a similar manner to the [[USSR]] and conquering [[Belarus]]; it is hinted that [[Ukraine]] is next. [[China]] became a democracy with its population severely reduced, and [[Tibet]] becomes the most populous country. [[Mexico]] changes it's name to Aztlan and the [[British]] [[Queen]] becomes a national hero again. [[Ireland]], specifically the wartime refuge of the [[Pope]] and presumably most of the other members of the [[Vatican]] is a site of pilgrimage. The Book shows [[South Africa]] playing a large part in world events, indeed, Paul Redeker, the man who devised the brilliant, but heartless, Redeker Plan, that is credited with saving humanity was South African. |
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It is implied that tribal groups such as South American Indians, [[Zulu]] of [[Southern Africa]] and [[Māori]] of New Zealand fared well early on in comparison to other fighting forces. One character relates an anecdote about how 500 Māori engaged half of the [[Auckland]] horde, using traditional tribal weapons, and fared much better than the world's various military forces or Western civilians. |
It is implied that tribal groups such as South American Indians, [[Zulu]] of [[Southern Africa]] and [[Māori]] of New Zealand fared well early on in comparison to other fighting forces. One character relates an anecdote about how 500 Māori engaged half of the [[Auckland]] horde, using traditional tribal weapons, and fared much better than the world's various military forces or Western civilians. |
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Revision as of 18:41, 14 July 2008
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Max Brooks |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Horror, Satirical novel |
| Publisher | Crown |
Publication date | September 12, 2006 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardback/Paperback), Ebook, Audiobook |
| Pages | 352 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0307346609 Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War (abbreviated WWZ) is a novel by Max Brooks which chronicles a theoretical zombie apocalypse, specifically the titular "Zombie World War", as a series of after-the-fact oral history interviews with prominent survivors.
Though a follow-up to his humorously deadpan previous book, The Zombie Survival Guide, WWZ is more serious in tone, and strives to be both factually and psychologically convincing. The book was released on September 12, 2006. A film based upon the book is currently in development.
Description
Taking place in the 2010s, the book charts a war against the undead from global pandemic to mass panic, and then to an armed struggle to reclaim the planet. Rather than a grand overview or a single perspective, World War Z is instead a collection of individual accounts, each revealing an aspect of the larger plot and simultaneously presenting a very personal tale. These different accounts take the form of interviews between the author and the characters.
The Book shows South Africa playing a large part in world events, indeed, Paul Redeker, the man who devised the brilliant, but heartless, Redeker Plan, that is credited with saving humanity was South African.
The book draws from post-apocalyptic and zombie literature. "The Great Panic" chapter describes the rout of civilization in a similar manner to H. G. Wells's The War of the Worlds. The tales cover many genres -- the story of a Chinese admiral who spent the war on a submarine would fit easily among techno-thrillers, and the story of Todd Wainio, an American soldier who takes part in the long struggle to regain the United States would appeal to many young adults.
The viewpoint is not exclusively American, but rather focuses on the global nature of the struggle. This use of small personal tales creates a patchwork tapestry of the larger events unfolding in the book. Brooks addresses current issues such as environmentalism, the War on Terrorism and international health care. He also offers an interesting juxtaposition between the modern world and that of post-war Earth. For example, Cuba ceases to be communist and becomes the world's leading economy, the Israelis and Palestinians make peace, Russia becomes a religious theocracy expanding in a similar manner to the USSR and conquering Belarus; it is hinted that Ukraine is next. China became a democracy with its population severely reduced, and Tibet becomes the most populous country. Mexico changes it's name to Aztlan and the British Queen becomes a national hero again. Ireland, specifically the wartime refuge of the Pope and presumably most of the other members of the Vatican is a site of pilgrimage. The Book shows South Africa playing a large part in world events, indeed, Paul Redeker, the man who devised the brilliant, but heartless, Redeker Plan, that is credited with saving humanity was South African.
It is implied that tribal groups such as South American Indians, Zulu of Southern Africa and Māori of New Zealand fared well early on in comparison to other fighting forces. One character relates an anecdote about how 500 Māori engaged half of the Auckland horde, using traditional tribal weapons, and fared much better than the world's various military forces or Western civilians.
The book's perspective is truly global, and the text offers glimpses of the fate of some countries not explicitly featured in the book, it is implied that continental France is totally overrun, which the French leadership exploit to restore the nation's pride, and that the entire population of Argentina is consumed by the living dead. The British develop unique fortified motorways which are regarded as a very valuable asset, although it is never said why.
The book features references to many fictional characters that are not interviewed, including the legendary Indian General Raj-Singh, who developed the re-enforced square tactic of anti-zombie combat, and the black president of the United States, who was a charismatic, brilliant leader who died towards the end of the war. The depth of narrative adds to the "feel" of the book as an actual chronicle of a historical conflict.
The book makes it clear that there are still many zombies left in the world, and the multinational task-force, a quasi-military outfit composed entirely of volunteers work ceaselessly to sponge, purge, and if need be, blast every trace of the undead from the earth. The Holy Russian Empire insist that they purge Siberia without the help of the international community, despite American protests. There are also private zombie killing outifts, such as the Impisi (Zulu for Hyena) who, like their namesake, clean up the dead, but without the rules and red-tape. The fate of North Korea is a mystery, with its population apparently disappearing underground.
Background
Brooks explains that World War Z follows the "laws" set up in the Zombie Survival Guide, and that the guide exists in the world he set up as a precursor to the war.[1]
As portrayed in the book, zombies are caused by some sort of pathogen, likely the virus Solanum. The disease is transmitted through body fluids, and most commonly occurs when one infected bites an uninfected. The disease is highly communicable, and no cure or vaccine exists. Other animals, even microorganisms, will avoid the virus at all costs, as wild animals have been known to run in fear from zombies. Even zombie bites which are days old show no signs of bacterial infection. Infection of a non-human invariably results in death. Symptoms begin with high fever and weakness. The initial phase of the disease lasts between a few hours and a few days, depending on the location of the bite and the constitution of the victim. Once the virus has sufficiently spread, the victim enters a comatose phase. All bodily functions necessary for human survival cease, and the rest are somehow transferred to the brain. When the coma ends, the victim emerges a zombie.
Zombies in this book do not discriminate between brain tissue and other tissue, contrary to older zombie traditions. They do not need sleep, air or any other resource. They wander ceaselessly, seeking any flesh they can find. This could be argued as the virus' means of spreading to new host organisms by overstimulating a hunger response in the host brain, resulting in the drive to consume flesh when there is no nutritional benefit to the zombie; the flesh simply collects inside the zombie until it ruptures the gastrointestinal tract. Zombies are known to walk along the ocean floor and subsequently resurface at a beach many years later. In colder regions, the zombies will freeze during the winter, only to thaw during the spring and continue their incessant search for victims. Zombies will last years before decomposing, even longer if the climate will naturally preserve them. The author explains that some areas are still being cleared 12 years after the end of the war, with a predicted "total victory" within a decade.
When a zombie discovers a victim, it emits a terrifying moan and immediately begins chase. Other zombies who hear this moan will move towards the source and investigate. The book describes a zombie moan as a chain reaction that quickly turns one pursuer into hundreds. A zombie will continue to moan and stalk the victim until devouring its prey, losing track of it, or being destroyed.
Audio book
An abridged audiobook was published in 2007 by Random House, directed by John McElroy, produced by Dan Zitt, with sound editing by Charles De Montebello. The book is read by author Max Brooks, but includes many other actors taking on the roles of the many individual characters who are interviewed in the novel, including Mark Hamill, Alan Alda, Henry Rollins, Rob Reiner, Carl Reiner, Jürgen Prochnow, and John Turturro. The audiobook was awarded with the 2007 Audie Award for best Multi-Voiced Performance.[2]
Film adaptation
A film adaptation is in development after the rights were obtained by Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment, with the screenplay being written by Babylon 5 and Rising Stars creator J. Michael Straczynski.[3]
References
- ^ "EAT MY BRAINS! Exclusive Interview: Max Brooks on World War Z - Feature Article". Retrieved 2008-04-26.
- ^ Audio Publishers Association (2007). "Audie Award press release" (.pdf). Audio Publishers Association.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Nicole LaPorte, Michael Fleming (2006). "Par, Plan B raise 'Zombie'". Variety.
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