Zombies! Whaddya know?
When you think of zombies—and, I mean, who doesn’t—what comes to mind? Please let me know, below.
The Unbecoming Remains does feature what readers expect in a “zombie novel,” plenty of action and too much gore for my leisure reading:
I blame it on the blood. Entirely. I couldn’t help myself. Couldn’t stop. I dropped down on him clumsily, tearing at his face and neck with my fingers. I pounded him with my fists. We were both growling and panting, exerting ourselves in a deathmatch I’d already won.
In my research for this book, I learned there’s a wide range of zombie literature out there, and it all has its own flavor. I’m sure many of my audience for this book have seen/read “Dawn of the Dead,” “World War Z” or one of the ‘violent zombie’ treatments.
One of my discoveries was that zombie culture and beliefs are not new. Here’s evidence, a zombified-looking chap from the 1920’s. Exhibit A:
Title: Protest Creator: Rigele, Alojz Date: 1920/1930 Providing institution: Slovak national gallery Aggregator: Slovak national gallery Providing Country: Slovakia Public Domain.
In truth, that image is, as the caption explains, of a Protest. However, I did discover zombie lore extends back to times before the crusades. Yes, it’s a global phenomena. The popularized shuffling zombies might be akin to those rumored to be of Haiti over a century ago.
Personally, I am enamored with Isaac Marion’s novel, Warm Bodies, in which a zombie infiltrates the land of the living and enjoys a relationship with a human for a while. Lots of traditional zombie rules are broken in this novel and film, and it inspired me to break some in my novel, too:
Eventually, zombies lose everything. They say the mind is the first thing to go. In my case, I feared it would be the last. Of all the cruelties of half-life, this felt the most cruel: that I can think, therefore I am, and that I know this, therefore I suffer.
Ambrose isn’t the only one who bends our expectations of zombies. For example, they universally hate water:
Through every lake and pond and mud puddle, we had hated it all. Water felt invasive, seeping into our every wound and orifice. I could not remember how I had ever tolerated swimming pools or baths. The thought of a hot tub would make me squirm.
They have hierarchy and intelligence in their horde behaviors. They form patterns of attack and defense. These zombies even care for one another and for animals.
What zombie rule do you consider non-negotiable? What can they do? What can’t they do? What instantly makes you say, “Nope, that’s not a zombie”?
Please take a moment and share some ideas in the comments. Who knows, this may contribute to a sequel!
