R is a young man with an existential crisis–he is a zombie. He shuffles through an America destroyed by war, social collapse, and the mindless hunger of his undead comrades, but he craves something more than blood and brains. He can speak just a few grunted syllables, but his inner life is deep, full of wonder and longing. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse. Just dreams.
After experiencing a teenage boy’s memories while consuming his brain, R makes an unexpected choice that begins a tense, awkward, and strangely sweet relationship with the victim’s human girlfriend. Julie is a burst of vibrant color in the otherwise dreary and gray landscape that R lives in. His decision to protect her will transform not only R, but his fellow Dead, and perhaps their whole lifeless world…
For the fifth book I am reading from Molly Horan’s list of 15 Young Adult Books Every Adult Should Read, I choose to read was Warm Bodies. 1/3rd of the way through the list!
Now I have seen the trailer for the movie Warm Bodies that recently came out and to be honest had no idea that it was a book. But I wanted to see the movie (I still haven’t seen it) because it had Zombies, so naturally I was excited to read the book! I love me some zombies, probably because they are the only supernatural thing I think I could kill. I tend to start books I am reviewing with very little expectations so I can give a fair review. And I can honestly say I really liked the book. It was un-expectantly smart, deep and funny at the same time.
I think what surprised me the most was that the main character and narrator was R, the zombie. I loved that the zombies have cognizant thought and really are only eating the humans for survival (not unlike how we eat animals to survive). I loved that they get “married” and have “children”. To me this signifies that they retain basic human instincts and urges even know their memories are wiped and their bodies work differently. This is an important part of the plot because it allows hope for a cure. While other zombie books/movies/TV shows portray the living dead as brainless and having no human characteristics, this one tells a different story and that is refreshing.
I also found the book to be humorous, thought provoking, and just an overall really good read. The language and the writing were suburb as was the creativity of the story line. The character development was great. I loved that each person had their strengths and weaknesses and that R was a reluctant hero. He didn’t want to save the world or cure the zombie plague. He wanted a girlfriend. I thought it was great that R had a best friend, M, that was a bit of a pervert.
There was not a whole lot I did not like about the book. I would have liked a better explanation of why R and Julie were able to help change the fate of the zombies. The one we got felt a little forced as to give an important PSA about the human condition. I guess that’s why this book is on the list. Because it predicts that the hate in people will lead to essentially the end of life as we know it. While I thought it was a great book, I’m not sure that the message would change for me from reading it as a teen to now. I think the message is clear. But maybe now it seems more feasible because I am an adult. Anyway, it’s a great read and I’m looking forward to seeing the movie now!
4.5 Bards
Moving! 