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Zombies, Bridesmaids and Assassins

A quick trip to London over the weekend gave me 20+ hours of plane time to catch up on reading. I finished three books. The first two had been sitting on my Kindle¹, while the last is dead-tree-only at the moment.

As I’ve mentioned before, screenwriters spend an inordinate amount of time thinking and talking about zombie invasions, so it was high time I read Max Brooks’s World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War. It’s structured as a series of interviews with survivors of an apocalyptic zombie event, and while certain interviewees use words a bit outside their vocabulary, on the whole I thought it created a very believable world.

These are Romero-style supernatural zombies, as opposed to 28 Days/Weeks Later style biological zombies. That sounds like an esoteric distinction, but it has huge plot implications. These zombies won’t stop. Ever. They don’t need food, water, oxygen. They can’t swim, but they’ll walk along the ocean floor in giant mobs, later to walk up on beaches. Survivors are smart to head up above the frost line so zombies will freeze solid — but remember, they’ll thaw come spring.

As disaster movies love to show us, there’s something comforting about the end of the world, and Brooks’s book is no exception. J. Michael Straczynski is writing the big-screen adaptation, and while I’d love to see it, the material really feels better suited to a Lost-style television series. Regardless, the book is worth a read if you ever spend time contemplating zombie fortifications.

Sloane Crosley’s I Was Told There’d Be Cake is a collection of mostly-witty essays in the style of David Sedaris. Crosley is the centerpiece of most of the tales, and she’s likable enough. Barely. I can imagine being her friend: In my 20’s, I would have been her gay roommate and/or co-worker sharing eye rolls at perceived transgressions of a secret social code. In my 30’s, I would recognize that her minor misfortunes are invariably self-sabotage in the hopes of attracting attention, and would eventually stop returning her calls.

To her credit — I guess — Crosley seems to understand her negatives. Her story about volunteering at the butterfly pavilion accurately reflects how mostly-good intentions can result in drudgery, self-doubt and shame. In the best of the essays, Crosley serves as a bridesmaid to a high school friend she barely remembers. The story works largely because the former friend is such a needy monster that Crosley’s ambivalence feels fully justified. The conclusion is disappointing, but true to the spirit of the book: she’s not sure what she learned, or if there really is anything to learn.

I think Crosley will improve greatly with better editing. She’s a smart observer, but too often feels like she’s padding to reach a target word count.

The last book of my trip was Derek Haas’s The Silver Bear. Haas is a friend and colleague, having co-written 3:10 to Yuma and this summer’s Wanted. His novel, which charts the rise of an assassin, is stripped-down and lean. Chapters following his pursuit of one target alternate with earlier episodes: his first kill, his first love, his first betrayal. It’s unapologetically genre fiction, romanticizing even as it attempts to deconstruct.

Considering they’re both assassin origin stories, Wanted and The Silver Bear couldn’t be more different. Where Wanted is all flourishes and suspension of disbelief, The Silver Bear is played straight. It reminded me most of Donald E. Westlake’s The Ax, in that murder simply becomes a job function.

It’s a smart, quick read, and recommended.

Links to Kindle versions: World War Z, I Was Told There’d Be Cake, The Ax.

Mini review: I like the Kindle a lot. It looks awkward, but feels surprisingly good in the hand. The screen is terrific for books, but far too slow for reference materials. It’s good enough that I’ll always get the Kindle edition of a book if available. ↩

July 23, 2008 @ 12:01 pm |
Filed under: Books, Travel

11 Responses to “Zombies, Bridesmaids and Assassins”

Mark
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:15 pm
If you’re interested in an alternate format telling of a Zombie event, check out http://www.nationundead.com, which is an online episodic series which invites viewers to submit videos which range from youtube to indie-film quality based on a plot outline provided by the creators, who provide source materials like logos, videos, and posters that users can add to their own props and designs. The idea is to create a consistent fictional universe where fan films are the film, and document it like a non-fiction series. It’s kinda like an actually interesting version of Romero’s “Diary of the Dead.”

After each “stage” is over, the creators will compile the best clips with some of their own material and publish a “episode.” It sounds exactly like what you are looking for.
Fabio
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
The World War Z script has been available for a few hours (alongside others contained in the infamous Black List 2007) last December. I’ve snagged it and read it. I think it’s really great.

I didn’t know the book was structured as you said, so I think Straczynski did an even greater job in his adaptation.
laurent
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:51 pm
I picked up WW Zombie when in NewYork last summer (I m french and it s not translated here yet) I just loved the book; it s an entertaining way to describe our world in depth (analyzing how flaws of our modern societies would enable it to spread like wildfire) and many chapters are a thrill.

I agree on both points though: First, some interviewees voices are not so distinguishable (oh well , it s supposed to be rewritten by the interviewer after all and interviews in American Cinematographer doesnt read so different one guy from the other) Second, I also thought a tv series would suit the book adaptation better. Anyway i would kill to be in Straczynski s shoes right now , for the love of the book and because that d be the only way to stop worrying about the result (dont spoil it Michael, please dont spoil it! )
christina
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:14 pm

“In the best of the essays, Crosley serves as a bridesmaid to a high school friend she barely remembers.”

That was my favorite essay in the book. I liked the book but agree that the pieces could use some editing and reworking. Still prefer Sedaris - early, funny Sedaris.
Yuzuru
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Hi, I loved the first book, the zombie survival book, can´t wait for this one.

A few weeks ago, I got involved in a pretty heated discussion online, talking about one issue that screenwriters think about a lot. Namely, where would you go if Los Angeles were suddenly overrun by zombies?”

I tought I was the only crazy nerd who did that !

I was reading the script of DAwn of Dead, remake, and it´s a pretty good job, but the movie improves the script in almost every scene.
Aden
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:02 pm
“Yes!” to World War Z’s accolades. The audiobook is also fantastic, as it has a full voice cast; Paul Redeker’s voice is appropriately affectless and calculating, Jurgen Prochnow is the German tank commander, and (huzzah!) Mark Hamill is Todd Wainio. Good good stuff.
daveednyc
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I can’t stand zombies. It’s time they take responsibility for their condition and hold themselves accountable for their destructive behavior. It’s disgusting how they constantly expect us, the living majority in this country, to bow to their every undead need. Hey, it wasn’t me who turned them into zombies.

Just the other day I got accosted by a bunch IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. So said “Why don’t you get off your undead duffs and get jobs!” And they actually tried to suck out my brains. Now, I couldn’t fend them off with a fire brand since it was daylight and I’m pretty sure you need a permit to carry a torch in public anyway. Don’t get me started on the smell, either. Like cat puke in a month old yogurt cup.

Friday nights are the worst. That’s when teenagers go screwing around the local cemetery, and nothing gets zombies more riled up than adolescent mischief. Next thing you know the streets are filled with hordes of undead, blocking traffic, creating mayhem. Then the National Guard has to intervene and blow up my neighborhood to hell. Ruins the whole weekend.
ptiv
July 24th, 2008 at 10:42 am
I think you nailed the problem I have with Crosley and her ilk (not that she isn’t talented). It gets to the point where they wink at you and themselves so much, they’re eyes are basically closed to any real insight into the world around them. I’m a little tired of the “anything I say is witty provided I throw in a self-deprecating bon mot at the end” approach to humor essays.

(By the way, is there a two-drink minimum required to read daveednyc’s post? But seriously folks!)
Jason
July 25th, 2008 at 8:10 am
I’m a little surprised by the Kindle review. I had you pegged for a “design guy” who would enjoy cover art, book design & the tactile qualities of flipping nice cottony paper. No? (Having said that, I admittedly switched to MP3s many, many moons ago.) Is the Kindle that good? Convenient? Shouldn’t book DL’s be considerably less expensive than ten bucks?
Synthian
July 25th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Look! We’re all snowflakes!

Zombie Peoples of the World:

Adfecto Apexius: (Biological Zombies) – (Or more commonly known as the, “Aim for the head!” kind…) derive their name from the latin, ‘Adfecto’ (attempt to effect), and ‘Apex’, (the crown). From limpers to sprinters, these are NOT your grand-daddies Zombies. Spawned from man’s own greed, nuclear fallout, viral engineering, or even the latest monkey-butt-parasite… whatever the case honey, they got your disease. Welcome to the jungle. These folks maintain some basic organic functionality… and as such… Gallagher, is a legitimate threat. Although lacking such classic vernacular gems as, “Braaaaains!!!” and almost obligatory fashion items such as the Naval Semaphore uniform, “Apexius” is nonetheless a late blooming and challenging favorite amongst fortification aficionados.

Diciolemures: (Supernatural Zombies) – ‘Dicio’ (powered by), ‘lemures’ (devils) From Mummies, to Cursed Undead Pirates, to Jesus on Easter… these are your balls-out unstoppables. Ask any fortification nut… these are where the true challenges lie. Sure, “biological” are popular, but that’s only because weapon design is endless fun. But HERE is where the chess moves are.

Machina Interneco: A machine to exterminate (I.E. The Daleks) – To tell you the truth, we’re not entirely sure that the Daleks are a Zombie people… however, under examination… they wreak of zombification. What we DO know is that 1- The Daleks openly share the Zombie Directive. 2- The Daleks mindlessly shout the single word that most represents the order of the moment. And 3- Dalek drama and Zombie drama, share a single, common, worst enemy… that’s right… STAIRS.

and, of course…

John McCain: (John McCain)
Ayz
July 26th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
I got 1/3rds of the way through WWZ, and didn’t finish it for whatever reason. Your mention here’s making me rethink that decision.

I’ve heard J. Michael Straczynski’ script is outstanding. Curious to see how he made it work.

I always liked the concept.