My
Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Nobody
knows how or why the dead began to rise. There is even plenty of debate about
where the first case actually was, although it is highly likely that it was
China. However, it soon spread around the whole globe, destroying civilizations
and claiming millions of victims in the event now know as World War Z.
Years
after the end of the War, an unnamed author publishes an unedited selection of
the interviews he used to write his report for the UN. They are from a vast
range of individuals from all corners of the world, and even above it. They
relate their personal experiences of how they and their cultures reacted to the
situation, showing us how and why certain solutions to the zombie menace worked
or failed.
One of
the really enjoyable aspects of this book is that it uses such an unusual
narrative form. This allows it to show us a much greater range of points of
view, and to explore the reactions to the plague seen in many different
cultures. It makes a great deal of sense to me that the highly cooperative
Japanese and Chinese would react very differently than the highly
individualistic Americans, for example. I can understand why some regimes would
be more likely to repress information and try to hide the truth from their
citizens and other nations. I also liked the way that Mr Brooks showed us a
number of ‘solutions’ to the same problem, each growing from the individual
societies and their situations and each uniquely suitable to the resources at
hand. He also takes us through the typical responses that we would expect, such
as massing the US army at Yonkers, and shows us how they fare against this new
type of enemy.
Some of
the interviews have funny sections, others horrific, whilst the some will just
make you see red with anger because of the attitudes on display. I do not
intend to go through all the people that are interviewed, but I will mention a
selection.
Personally,
I found the total cynicism of the marketer of Phalanx to be the most morally
repellent to read. This man seized the opportunity to promote a rabies vaccine
as a preventative treatment for the ‘African rabies’, as the zombie plague was
first called. He knew perfectly well that Phalanx would offer no protection
from the actual infection, but tricked people into purchasing billions of
doses. Not only was he lie fraudulent and a totally immoral way to make a vast
fortune, but it also led to many more people being infected because they
thought that they had protection. This reminds me very much of the HIV / AIDS deniers,
especially in South Africa, who were responsible for promoting useless
treatments whilst dismissing proven antiretroviral drugs as actually inducing
the disease, thus causing millions of more infections and deaths.
One of
the funniest sections is that of a mercenary who was hired to protect the home
of an incredibly wealthy celebrity. The celebrity decides that it would be a
good idea to invite all the famous and beautiful people to live in his fortress
home while they are constantly filmed and broadcast live to the rest of
humanity: like a permanently running ‘Big Brother’. While the outcome of this social
experiment is fairly predictable, it does finish with an exchange between the
mercenary and a Chihuahua that is laugh-out-loud funny.
The
section I found most difficult to read, and which had me crying like a small
child was one that dealt with American dog handlers. For some reason I always
find it harder to see animals put in peril rather than humans. I am not sure
what this says about me, but that is just how I am: I am always more worried
about the pets than their owners! I find working dogs absolutely extraordinary
in normal life, whether they are sniffer dogs, search and rescue or helping the
disabled, so to read about their invaluable use in a war against the undead was
very moving. If you are a dog person, like me, then I recommend a box of tissues
for this chapter, or simply skip over it if you think it will upset you too
much.
One of
the most uplifting and spiritually fulfilling sections dealt with a Japanese
man who had been blinded by one of the nuclear explosions at the end of World
War II. After that he was a useless outcast in Japanese society, and had
finally become a gardener for an up-market hotel. When the zombies began to
rise he walked out into the forests intending to meet this death and remove a
burden on society. Instead he discovered a purpose for living, something that
he had never had before, and the rest of his story is amazingly inspiring. I
particularly appreciated how Mr Brooks completely understood the mentality of
this broken person, which is so alien to that of an able-bodied westerner.
Finally,
I want to mention the section based upon the international space station.
Surprisingly, this does not have the terrible claustrophobia that you might
expect, because it is told from the perspective of a very experienced astronaut
who had been fully prepared for his time in space. However, the resilience of
the people who chose to stay in space, with no hope of support or rescue, in
order to keep the satellite system working, was amazing. The interviewee never
expresses any despair or regret for what they did and must have been a truly
remarkable individual to withstand the psychological pressure of such
isolation.
As you
can see, this is not necessarily an easy read and there are some truly horrible
descriptions of the effects of the ‘infection’. The psychological effects of
the plague are also heart breaking, but the way in which individuals rise to
the challenges that they face is very inspiring. This is a thoughtful and thought
provoking read, that says a great deal about various modern societies and their
strengths and weaknesses.
