There are zombies everywhere! Tons of zombie books and movies have been coming out this decade. (The other day I saw The Zen of Zombie in the self help section.)
Each era has its monsters and we’re in the zombie/vampire era right now. While vampire motifs haven’t changed that much over time (except for that one big shift into sexuality), the symbolism of zombies changes.
For example, it started as an embodiment of the fear of slavery in Haiti. Now, in films like Shaun of the Dead, zombies represent our deadening lives–how we stumble through life, occasionally ripping into those we love.
So far, my favorite zombie book is World War Z by Max Brooks–it’s a story of the apocalypse told from multiple points of view. It, like all good horror, doesn’t focus on the monsters, but on our reactions to them and acknowledges that we are monstrous sometimes.
I hear on NPR that some guy has come out with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies–he’s keeping Austen’s words, but adding zombies.
I don’t know what to say about that, so I’ll end with this:
Afzal has sent me a postcard! What’s the matter with the rest of you?
Just two things:
1. World War Z has been optioned and is currently in development to be a film, though I can’t remember by which studio. I hope it rocks as much as the book. I saw some concept art recently that was pretty awesome.
2. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has apparently also sparked a movie studio bidding war for the rights – EVEN THOUGH THE BOOK ISN’T OUT YET. Man I need an idea like that.
Y’all will love The Apocalypse Reader, 34 speculations on the end of the world. My favorite? It’s hard to choose, but for the best laughs, as a former English major, it would have to be “These Zombies are Not a Metaphor” by Jeff Goldberg.