Living with the living dead looks beyond the mere story of the undead and delves further into their rotting flesh and organs to examine what really drives our fascination with zombies.
What is it that keeps us coming back for more like the very brain munching, flesh hungry zombies themselves? Author Greg Garrett takes us through a history of the zombie in popular culture to get to the heart of what really drives our obsession with the undead, whilst also offering some sage words of wisdom in-between.
In an insightful and gut retching look at the world of the undead, Living with the living dead proves that there’s something far deeper than just guts, gore and a thirst for horror that drives our very love of zombies. Taking a look at the connections between zombie culture and modern life.
At a time when things may seem to be constantly spinning out of control, we often look to the chaos of an apocalypse to ground ourselves. Whether it’s a much needed distraction from the tedious humdrum of day to day life, or a need to re-connect with our favourite characters that brings us back to our favourite zombie flicks. We often see glimpses of reality reflecting back at us, and it’s those connections that Greg Garrett pieces together throughout the book.
Taking a look at examples from some of our favourites from zombie culture, from the well known (The Walking Dead, Night of the Living Dead..), to more recent examples that we’re just beginning to connect with (iZombie, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse..). Each example is brought together, taking an in depth look at examples of humanity’s finest and lowest points that always bring us back to the beginnings of a zombie apocalypse.
The undead it would seem have much to teach us, whether it’s about survival and how far we’d be willing to go, or the mere bonds of humanity and finding community at a time of need. Yes they may be missing a limb or two, or even half a torso.. but as we delve further into the world of the undead it would appear that we have plenty to learn from our zombie friends. Certainly a great read for any fans of the living dead in culture, but you thankfully don’t have to be knee deep in guts and gore to examine the zombies featured in this book.
LIVING WITH THE LIVING DEAD: THE WISDOM OF THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE / AUTHOR: GREG GARRETT / PUBLISHER: OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
