The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch, Volume One: At the Edge of Empire

The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch #1

by Daniel Kraus

From the coauthor of the New York Times bestselling The Shape of Water comes the “utterly riveting” (Entertainment Weekly) tale of a murdered teen who is resurrected to walk the earth for more than a century.May 7, 1896. Dusk. A swaggering seventeen-year-old gangster named Zebulon Finch is gunned down by the shores of Lake Michigan. But after mere minutes in the void, he is mysteriously resurrected. His second life will be nothing like his first. Zebulon’s new existence begins as a sideshow attraction in a traveling medicine show. From there he will be poked and prodded by a scientist obsessed with mastering the secrets of death. He will fight in the trenches of World War I. He will run from his nightmares—and from poverty—in Depression-era New York City. And he will become the companion of the most beautiful woman in Hollywood. Love, hate, hope, and horror—Zebulon finds them. But will he ever find redemption? “Fearlessly weaving gore, love, philosophy, and social justice issues into one sharp whole” (BCCB), The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch, Volume At the Edge of Empire is the epic saga of what it means to be human in a world so often lacking in humanity.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Horror, Fiction, Historical, Paranormal

657 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 27, 2015

About the author

“Kraus brings the rigor of a scientist and the sensibility of a poet.” – The New York Times

DANIEL KRAUS is a New York Times bestselling writer of novels, TV, and film. WHALEFALL received a front-cover rave in the New York Times Book Review, won the Alex Award, was an L.A. Times Book Prize Finalist, and was a Best Book of 2023 from NPR, the New York Times, Amazon, Chicago Tribune, and more.

With Guillermo del Toro, he co-authored THE SHAPE OF WATER, based on the same idea the two created for the Oscar-winning film. Also with del Toro, Kraus co-authored TROLLHUNTERS, which was adapted into the Emmy-winning Netflix series. His also cowrote THE LIVING DEAD and PAY THE PIPER with legendary filmmaker George A. Romero.

Kraus’s THE DEATH AND LIFE OF ZEBULON FINCH was named one of Entertainment Weekly‘s Top 10 Books of the Year. Kraus has won the Bram Stoker Award, Scribe Award, two Odyssey Awards (for both ROTTERS and SCOWLER), and has appeared multiple times as Library Guild selections, YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults, and more.

Kraus’s work has been translated into over 20 languages. Visit him at danielkraus.com.

Reviews

[Shaun Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly don't know how to review this book. Imagine you're watching Forest Gump, only Forest Gump is a corpse, and everything he does turns to shit. That's probably the closest I can come to describing this book. But that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface. This is a book that requires patience. Not only is it 600 pages long, but it's a story that spans decades, and Kraus makes sure that we feel the time passing. Some decades pass more slowly than others. Some faster. And it requires patience because Zebulon Finch is an idiot. A foolish, self-centered idiot. But the journey he takes us on (or rather the half of a journey since this is only book 1 of 2) is painful and beautiful and disgusting and totally worth your time.

[Melissa Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger warnings - physical abuse, sexual abuse, suicidal thoughts, suicide, racial slurs

I am going to start this review off by saying this book is totally misclassified. This is in no way, shape or form a YA book. The only thing that would classify this in that genre is the fact that the main character is seventeen...forever.

Okay so with that aside let me just say that this book is a dark, disturbing, raw, emotional, and insane look at immortality and it is absolutely brilliant. It is beautiful and revolting all at the same time. It made me laugh, weep, and shudder all at the same time.

I cannot recommend this enough but keep in mind this is an extremely gruesome book. So if that isn't your thing stay far away from this. Also, the main character is far from lovable. Do not expect a swoon-worthy, dark and moody YA character in Zebulon Finch.

This is hands down the best book I have read all year. It was breathtaking and I cannot wait for the sequel. Now I am off to weep in a corner.

My Booktalk - https://youtu.be/DraPXmAfOJw

[Saz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no idea what I really thought of this book. If there's anything I can say about it with confidence it's that I really did like the writing style. Everything else is ...... ??????????????

The story just d r a g g e d on and on and on and didn't really follow any sort of structure. The main character and narrator is exhaustingly unlikeable. I feel like these things were done on purpose and it's probably all part of the author's artistic vision or whatever so it's like yeah fine ok I get but *brontosaurus groan* at the end of this nearly 600-paged behemoth I don't feel like I got really anything out of the reading experience. I'm somewhat interested in reading the sequel just because I've been with Zeb for this fucking long I might as well see it to the bitter end but, let it be known, that this book, was a complete and utter waste of my time.

[maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF'd 172 pages in

This was really unfortunate. I was so intrigued by the premise of this story and I just really could not get in to it. Even the cover grabbed me as soon as I saw it, so when it was offered to me as an ARC many months ago, I jumped at the chance to get my hands on a copy. I really, really wanted to enjoy this story and I was at first, but then it just kept dragging on. It wasn't going anywhere. Of course there is the possibility that I stopped right before things started getting interesting, but I mean, at almost 200 pages into a massive 600+ page book, I would have liked things to be moving quite a bit quicker.

I tried, really tried, to give this one a shot. I almost DNF'd it a few months ago, but instead tried to push myself. Then new years came around one of my resolutions was to not force myself to read anything I'm just really not enjoying. It's okay to DNF books once in a while! There are too many good books and so little time to get through them all. It's not worth forcing yourself to read something that you're just not that in to.

I'm glad that a lot of readers were able to get through The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch while thoroughly enjoying it! The writing style was very intriguing and the subject matter was pretty dark, all things that I love. Unfortunately, I just wish it moved at a faster pace.

[Debbie Ohi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I start a big book (and at 642 pages, Zebulon Finch definitely qualifies), I cross my fingers and hopehopehope that the first few pages will pull me in right away. If they do, I can relax and settle in for what promises to be a satisfying long read. If they don't, then it's just going to be long.

Zebulon Finch had me from the beginning. I already knew the premise, which was what lured me to read the book in the first place: A 17-year-old gangster named Zebulon Finch is murdered in 1896 but is mysteriously resurrected only minutes later.

What I especially enjoyed, without giving spoilers:

- The narrative voice. Sample: "Death is a suicide dive off an incalculable cliff, a free fall of such pulverizing force that you become molten, brand new every instance." I felt like reading everything out loud, just to have the words roll around on my tongue.

- The wry wit. Zebulon Finch, despite being dead, still has a sense of humor that comes out in his observations about the people and events around him.

- The dark edge. I'm a longtime horror fan (I have a personal autographed note from Stephen King, hand-typed with liquid paper corrections!) and was fascinated by some of the macabre and nightmarish situations, the delving into what makes us afraid. Grossed out at times and had to skim paragraphs here and there, but was still fascinated. If the story had just been about the horror bits, I would have stopped reading early on...but there was SO much more.

- How Zebulon's relationships developed, both romantic and platonic. Don't want to say much more on this aspect for fear of spoilers, but I loved how some of his most meaningful relationships became inexorably woven into his life and way of approaching the world long after those people disappear from his life.

- Zebulon Finch, the main character. He can be selfish, hateful, tender, cynical, romantic. He is unlike any other immortal character I've ever encountered in a book....and I'd like more, please.

Which is why I'm SOOOOOO looking forward to the second volume!

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC.

[Halley Hopson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!

I ended up really enjoying this! Zebulon Finch is a very interesting character to follow and the way everything came together by the end of the story was very satisfying to read. It did get a little slow in a couple of parts but others definitely made up for it in my opinion. This is very dark and at times even morbidly humorous and definitely recommend it if the premise of a 17 year old boy who gets killed and yet somehow can’t die piques your interest at all.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

How I Came To Read This Book: I heard it was much-hyped at a few book events this year so I asked for a copy from the publisher to write about this holiday season.

The Plot: Zebulon Finch is but seventeen years old, working as a henchman for a notorious Chicago gangster, when he is gunned down by a stranger. But mere moments later, he is resurrected, into an ageless walking corpse that can think, speak, and do just about everything we associate with human emotions but nothing of human needs like breathing, eating, sleeping and so on. Zebulon is no shambling walking dead though. The book, written by Zebulon as if it's an autobiography, covers the many lives he lives after his death - starting with a tour as a sideshow attraction in a 'Pageant of Health' around the turn of the century, and following alongside him as he lives in the house of a Victorian professor-turned-madman, serves in World War 1, bootlegs in the backwoods of the south, rambles about New York's gin joints, and finally goes Hollywood as the companion of an aging yet beautiful actress. The running theme here is Zebulon trying to find some purpose in his ramshackle life, one that turns out to be not nearly as glamorous as near-eternal life might suggest.

The Good & The Bad: I'm at odds with how to rate this book. For one, I don't know that it's being correctly marketed as a YA novel. The writing is on par with many a literary novel I've read, to the point where it's stuck in this odd in-between place - it's about a teenager sure, but it's about a teenager who lives out 40 or 50 years (although as Dr. Leather explains, his brain most certainly does not mature, even as he collects memories and lessons). In general...I appreciated the ambition of the book and the fact it really was different than anything I'd read before. It reminded me a bit of Benjamin Button (the film) in the way it swept across this one man's life, but apart from that it was a wholly unique story that really deglamorizes eternal life by assuring us that Zebulon is not an eternally youthful vampire, but alas, a walking corpse that is subject to wear and tear and degradation.

That being said...some of this book was a slog to get through. It's a LONG book. And Zebulon's flowery prose is sometimes a bit much (again why I think an actual YA reader might not make it through the first 100 pages). It takes a long while to really get where the story is going and get wrapped up in it, but by the time I entered the WW1 segment, I began to get it and really enjoyed the story. Zebulon is a tragic figure but an interesting one - a forever child that is both wise beyond his years and as impetuous as the day he chooses to escape his humdrum life as the son of Abigail Finch. You may find yourself, as I did, constantly longing for a happy ending for Zebulon (as I'm sure he does for himself), which only pays tribute to the world Daniel Kraus creates for him. But as the prologue suggests, there's not much for Zebulon to really look forward to.

Like I said, I'm at odds. It's a neat concept and it's well-done, although some passages are explored in excruciating detail while full years of Zebulon's existence pass by in a single paragraph. I AM curious to read the second half of the story for a few reasons, many of which are hinted at in the prologue of this book (which is worth a re-read after you've made your way through the rest of the book), but also to see how Zebulon faces WW2.

The Bottom Line: An ambitious but mostly captivating novel that belies its YA label.

Anything Memorable?: Nope.

60-Book Challenge?: Book #48 in 2015

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whenever Zebulon Finch deigned to shut the heck up, his story was a fascinating one. His body literally rots and falls to pieces as he goes through a whole slew of random events with unlikely people.

The annoying part was that he wouldn’t ever just be quiet. He was far too verbose and circumlocutory and periphrastic and digressive and WORDY and I had many occasions where I wished I could reach into the audiobook and duct tape his mouth shut.

But the Bone Garden? And his stint in Hollywood? And that one dude with the breathing mask? All of it was fascinating and original and just plain weird and I was all about it.

Just less WORDS

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this a while ago but didn't post it because I had an ARC and it wasn't out when I finished it. The book's out now. Don't even read this, go read it instead.


The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch Volume 1: At the Edge of Empire is a curious novel. I’m tempted to compare it to Forrest Gump as it follows a central protagonist as he moves through American history. Minor characters go in and out of the narrative on a revolving door, sometimes making a brief appearance again, other time disappearing for good. 
However, this is Forrest Gump as only Kraus would tell it. Finch features three of the four hallmarks of Kraus’ novels: A protagonist with a bad father, incredibly gruesome scenes with gory details (bonus points for those involving genitalia), and beautiful prose on the sentence level. Sadly, the book does not take place in Iowa (rather, it takes place in many places). Our titular Zebulon Finch is not like Gump in any way, save for gender. The order of the title is the first clue: Finch dies, and then he lives. 
The reason Finch is able to go through American history through this novel is because he lives in a state of undeath. In the late 19th century, he was murdered, and sometime shortly afterwards, he awoke again, apparently unable to die completely. Much of Zebulon Finch revolves around a sort of body horror. We’ve all read YA books that deal with adolescence in this sense, but Finch takes a different approach. Rather than the changes in the body becoming horrifying, it is the lack of change and his bodies deterioration that forms much of the gruesome horror held in the novel. Some of these scenes do get truly disgusting. I’m not particularly squeamish, but much like he did in both Rotters and Scowler, Kraus evokes all the senses to disgust you. 
Though this first volume does feel like one of Kraus’ books for the reasons I listed above, there is one distinct difference: the prose style. While Kraus’ writing is as beautiful as ever, the style here is reminiscent of 19th century literature. This is logical, as our narrator was born in the 19th century, but for many contemporary readers I worry that this style will make the narrative drag. 
To tell the truth, the first half of the book does drag. It takes a long time to grow accustomed to not only the writing style, but also the protagonist himself. Zebulon Finch is not a likeable character; he’s a thug. Antihero narratives are in vogue right now, but Finch takes it a step further. Most of these narratives, the antihero admits to doing wrong but justifies it through means of the larger picture, claiming their actions are the lesser of two evils, or claiming that they are the lesser of two evils compared to their antagonist. Finch, however, is ready to admit that he is a villain. While he has his antagonists, who are no doubt more dislikable than him, Finch also seems to feel that he deserves their mistreatments. 
It took me some time, but eventually I did come to care about Finch, despite his villainy. However, At the Edge of Empire is a book that likes to challenge you, and my next obstacle came during Prohibition era, when Finch goes to the movie theater and watches the infamous Birth of a Nation. Finch loves the film and readily identifies with its protagonist. Having seen the film myself in the context of a college course on American racism, this obviously unsettled me. I had finally started to like Finch, and now here he is enjoying a film I find incredibly offensive. I chalked his love for Birth of a Nation up to a) his villainy, and b) the historical context of the film - it was very popular when it was first released. And, truth be told, it is a remarkable film that totally changed the face of cinema. It's just incredibly offensive. Yet it still troubled me to have a racist protagonist, and I found myself hesitantly turning pages and frowning. 

Then Finch finds himself working for a black family of moonshiners, and the way in which his racism is handled is masterfully done by the text. It's nuanced and feels realistic for how a person of Finch's generation would handle it. A quote from the text (again, disclaimer that this is from an ARC): "It all left me quite conflicted. I was not one of those bleeding-heart Negro activists, my past aligned more with that of the average Klansman. Yet the Klan's single-minded pursuit of the dark-skinned offended me with its lack of logic - I knew firsthand that Negroes were our intellectual peers". This is not just a perfect example of how the text handles racism, but also how Finch admits to being a villain. I was very impressed by how this volume dealt with these issues. Many contemporary books that take place during this time feature what Finch might call a "bleeding-heart Negro activist", or their way of dealing with a racist character is just heavy-handed or clichéd. The novel's willingness to treat this subject like this is bold but it pays off incredibly well, and I found myself loving the book more because of it. 

The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch Volume 1: At the Edge of Empire is a challenging book that is not for everyone, but those who can get past its thuggish protagonist and antiquated prose will find a masterfully written novel. It may take you a while to get hooked, but give it a chance. I cannot wait for part two.

[R.A. Raab · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should know not to listen to reviews in Entertainment Weekly. Judged as one of the ten best books of 2015, The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch by Daniel Kraus, this overbloated brick posing as a young adult novel runs out of steam well before it runs out of pages. Never heard of it? There’s a reason. The premise is that a 17-year-old boy working with the criminal underworld in Chicago is gunned down on the shores of Lake Michigan in the late 1800s. He is then resurrected as a walking corpse that, I suppose, looks normal enough to pass for quite alive but only somewhat sickly. We follow Zebulon through important periods of the 20th century, only to find out after not caring for over 600 pages, that it’s only half of the story and we’ll have to find out what happens in the sequel. No thanks. Two Stars.

[Adi Alsaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gimme Volume 2 now, please.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

this surpassed itself the second time.

and the third time.

[Bat · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNFed halfway through, for the following reasons:

The writing style is very grating. It tries to mimic Victorian writing but it comes across as a forced caricature. Way too flowery, not natural, melodramatic, frankly annoying sometimes. Not to mention jarring when you remember that the protagonist is writing his story at the very end of his life, in the 1980s.

Zebulon is meant to be unlikable, but he isn't unlikable in a fun way. I love the underdogs, the selfish and the self-serving. Zebulon Finch is either boring and unaffected, or melodramatic when he tries to exhibit any deeper qualities. At a young age, he develops a taste for the unseemly and plays pretend at being a thug despite having known nothing but privilege his entire life. He leaves said life to live amongst immigrants in Chicago where he gets involved in organized crime, which he actively enjoys. His decision to leave his home was perfectly reasonable, since his mother was psychologically abusive. Everything else is kind of ridiculous. Do I think this is meant to show that he is born perhaps without remorse, since he enjoys causing innocent people harm for money? Probably. Is it completely laughably played out? Absolutely. Besides, characters who are violent or capable of abusing others simply innately are boring. Sure, it does exist, but it has no payoff in fiction because I want to see some actual motives and watch a character become who they are. I digress.
To show that he has a less callous side, at 17 he develops a crush on a sex worker. He then recalls his teenage "romance" with her over the next 9 or so years of his life. She is just as melodramatic and dreams of having a family with him, because... sentimentality, I suppose. And because it's juicy (and not at all tired and shallow) to write a character who has no agency over being a prostitute, without actually talking about the systemic issues that led to it. Then she gets fridged (disappears without a trace, later we find out she died of preventable illness) so that Zebulon can angst about it and act out. Another female character sacrificed for man-pain, which he constantly recalls like she had a deep impact on him, yet as a reader she had no impact on me and I could barely remember her name 50 pages later. I assume I am supposed to feel this way, to find Zebulon's lingering attachment silly knowing he ruined it for himself (though her motives were unsatisfying, I have to say), but the result is the same. As a character, she existed and died for him to be upset, even if I am meant to find him selfish for making it about himself.
The parts of his personality which he infuses his narration style with are highly obnoxious. He's very keen on comparing things to women's bodies, often in puzzling ways. Vines looks like a girl's hair after sex, Jell-O jiggles like decolletage, bathtub plumbing resemble, and I quote, "a well-endowed female" (which, though probably intended as a 'joke', calling women females... instant gag). He hesitates to sidestep a woman because of their "hips and chests and countless other parts you dare not nudge". I can't say I've ever encountered a women I could not walk past because of her grotesquely large breasts and hips, nor do I know what those "countless other parts" could be referring to (seriously, someone list even one, I'm confused). It's all a bit... honestly, cringe. I wanted to find a more evocative word for this, but it's frankly just cringe. It is speculated that Zebulon's brain will forever remain in the physical state it was when he died, so he will forever be mentally 17. But by simply experiencing things and being in new situations, his brain should form new connections, even if his, say, decision making skills remain like those of a 17 year-old. So, how many lived years on earth do you think it takes to stop finding boobies funny?

The plot went nowhere, and many characters acted in ways that were completely unnecessary or unjustified. The reasoning behind some of their actions felt questionable. One character wanted to have another better suited character replace him for a task, and how does he find an excuse for needing a replacement? Shooting himself in the foot. The character was not written as unhinged enough for that to work, it seemed like there were many other things he could've done instead, so it became unbelievable.
The plot also seemed to just happen to Zebulon. At least four (4) plot points or resolutions, some major, happened because someone contacted him, walked through the door, found him, or specifically sought him out. He sort of stays where he is and people come to him and make things happen. This can definitely happen in someone's life... maybe once, twice if you live long. But it's the only way the plot moves forward is through this device, which is frustrating. Only halfway, around page 300, does Zebulon actually make a decision and act upon it.
The rest of the plot, from what I could gather, also chronicles his life through increasingly unbelievable events. None of which I think will be interesting to read about, especially not when they feature a character that does not grow as a person. I cannot put up with this kid not learning a single thing for even one other miserable anecdote.

[max theodore · Rating 5 out of 5]

me, internally: zebulon finch is honest-to-god maybe the best book i've ever read. it's incredibly gorgeous; zebulon's narration is masterfully done and masterfully sustained for a ridiculous amount of pages; i read this book literally once, coming up on five years ago, and yet so many of the scenes feel engraved on the inside of my brain because of the impact the story & concepts made. that said, this book is absolutely not for everyone; zebulon is annoying as fuck and his narration is pretentious as fuck and while i love this book oh so much for the epic it is, i recognize that not everyone wants to read hundreds on hundreds on hundreds of pages about a sort-of-zombie forrest-gumping his way through the 1900s, especially because kraus doesn't pull punches with the period-typical bigotry OR with the body horror; this book is an acquired taste for some and definitely won't work for others and i'm aware of that -

me, externally, as soon as someone casually asks me for book recommendations: read zebulon finch right the fuck now. right now. i have six snipers trained on you at this very second. i've never met another person irl who's read it and if you don't pick it up right this moment i'm going to hex your bloodline

🎵man just take my playlist for this one 🎵

[Nostalgia Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sprawling novel in the form of a biography, this was not as amazing as I'd hoped it would, and yet I still wanted to keep reading. Even though I didn't like any of the characters, the decade by decade narrative of Zebulon's life was somehow fascinating... I'm not sure if it's simply because I like some aspect of all the decades covered (1890s thru pre-war 1940s) or if it was the writing style or maybe just the truthfulness of Zebulon's tragic hero complex. Although he's perpetually stuck at age 17, he matures and grows while remaining naive and reckless. The juxtaposition of his choices I found to be surprisingly realistic. No matter how mature one thinks they are, making humble sacrifices, they still can just as easily continue making reckless, youthful decisions that they know are wrong. It lends itself to deep analysis of flaws and regrets and how Zebulon's life is full of parallels of occurrences and types of people.

It's more of a meditation of themes and life and general than a novel with a plot, but it was still strangely captivating. I'm not sure I'll ever be sure exactly how I feel about this book, which, in a way, seems like the whole point of it.

[a. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5!

This is unlike anything I have ever read before and I really enjoyed it! I love the way this is written, with Zebulon as the narrator, taking you through his life, death, and ‘life’ as though he is writing in his diary. He addresses the reader (‘Dearest reader,’) throughout, which is something I really enjoy in books.

I must admit that there were some parts in the first half that I found slow, but overall, I really enjoyed this book. It managed to sometimes make me laugh, and although the main character never seems to learn from his mistakes, and continues to make awful and infuriating choices, I somehow still found myself feeling sorry for him at times.

[Brandon Forsyth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Bildungsroman for the Twitter generation; a body horror history of the twentieth century; a novel of startling ambition matched only by its colossal failure. Zebulon Finch is an agentless, undead seventeen year-old who stumbles and sloshes his way through American history, only to discover that what he craves most is death. There's some interesting stuff going on here, but it can be a chore to read. Count me out for volume two.

[Pandaduh · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book thinks too highly of itself. Too hard to get into. No promise of payoff.

The second one was published right after the first. Both are very fat volumes, leading me to wonder if the author had connections that could override any editorial feedback.

Nepotism over art!

Indeed.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, but with more rotting flesh.

[donna_ehm · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half of this book was a joy to read: clever, sharply written, dark and edgy. Zebulon Finch is an arrogant boy who takes to a life of crime and punishment with ease and enjoyment. Yet his voice as he narrates his tale is engaging and charming as, at this point in his undead life, he's aware of his mistakes and shortcomings (even at such a remove from the events as they happened he still retains a measure of his former cocksureness, which I enjoyed). The story itself I felt was very focused, and as Zebulon talked, it was as if everything was being built up brick by brick, with events and reactions to those events working to move the character and the story itself forward. The story was by turns sympathetic, horrifying, grotesque, and at times funny. The whole of it felt fresh and unique.

Unfortunately, this state of affairs started to change when the author sends Zebulon off to World War One. It is Zebulon's intent to die and in a rather convoluted manner, he decides that getting himself shipped off to the Front is a sure-fire guaranteed method of getting permanently put out of his undead afterlife misery. What followed felt more like the author indulging in the desire to write about the experience of war rather than using the backdrop as the means by which to further Zebulon's story. I could feel that clear picture of Zebulon and the strong sense of focus within the story start to fray and shift towards the background. The whole plot of it felt overly-long and I was glad when it finished as I was hopeful things would get back on track.

Alas, after this the story plunges rapidly down this meandering road and with every page things just became more and more ridiculous and absurd. "A zombie Forrest Gump" is what I thought to myself long about the time Zebulon went off to Hollywood and the author indulged himself again, this time with movie making in the 20s. The author picks some names from a Wikipedia article to throw around a bit (as he puts Zebulon at a few dinner parties with the elite of the acting world and monied society), then puts his efforts into one actress named...you know, I can't remember because I had zero interest in her story, her daughter, her sooper-seekrit screenplay she'd been developing for years, and her seeming zombie-fetish (evidenced by her not being put off by Zebulon's obviously dead and decaying skin and body).

By this time, Zebulon felt like a supporting character in his own story, which may be just as well because the sharp, strong, and edgy boy from the start of the book had become a whiny, foppish joke. And let's not forget that he's basically a zombie? With holes in his body that he's covered up with scarves or stuffed with straw? Because Kraus seemed to have, what with having Zeb off to the Academy Awards and posing for spreads in Life Magazine with the aforementioned Hollywood beauty (in some sort of publicity ploy - I dunno, I was just flipping pages and skimming by that point). The re-appearance of a few characters from Zebulon's past at the very end felt so contrived that I laughed out loud.

For something that started out so strong and felt so fresh and original, I was truly disappointed by the end result. The whole back half felt like the author throwing Zebulon into a series of ever more ridiculous situations - and making him ever more ridiculous - just so Kraus could indulge himself rather than because it worked for the story and characters.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huge Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for this ARC!

If I'm being frank, I had no idea what to expect from The Life and Death of Zebulon Finch. When I started reading it, it was one of those books I couldn't powerthrough, and I'm a fast reader. I found myself completely absorbed into Zebulon's narrative, as though he was enticing me word by word, enriching me with his long lasting history of what it means to be a living man who cannot die.

Part of what makes Zebulon Finch such an enchanting read is the character of Zebulon himself. There's something about reading through his life and understanding where he's been throughout the course of history. It's interesting to see how Zebulon discusses the various folks whom he's passed in his travels, as well as how he perhaps has influenced them. My personal favourite was Mary and Leather, and I loved that they stayed as an integral part of his story. Especially Mary, she was just downright fabulous and easily my favourite character.

Plus there's so much genre bending in this story. While the book behaves like historical fiction, it is as much a horror and science fiction novel. It also has a very unique writing style that at times talks at the reader, which is something I think readers would have to get used to. I personally loved the style, but I could see it being something some readers may have trouble with, because it does make for such a different kind of storytelling.

Then there's the world building -- it's an alternate history starting in 1896, right until the Depression. However, since he is a man who cannot die, it makes for such an interesting aspect considering he's also completely on the run. Plus he's in love with Mary Pickford! MARY PICKFORD! Canada's Girl! Kraus has done a lot to stay true to historical events while also infusing it with his own style, and I just loved it.

I haven't read too many novels like The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch, and while this took me a long time to read, it's a book I savoured. Once I finished it, I was bitter I didn't have Volume Two in my hands because I wanted to just keep going and see how Kraus would continue to alter history after that ending. If you love horror, or alternative history, then Zebulon Finch really is worth tracking down. It has amazing characters, a rich word, and a protagonist who just keeps you guessing throughout. What more could you ask for?

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch was absolutely divine - a fresh read that was stimulating for the imagination. Daniel Kraus' first installment in Zebulon's saga was deliciously addicting and heartbreaking all at once, a novel I highly recommend teens and adults read.

"Zebulon? So sophisticated for one so young."
I shrugged. "Last name's Finch."

It's May 7th, 1896 when Zebulon Finch is gunned down by the shores of Lake Michigan. Mere moments later he is mysteriously resurrected. In his new found existence, the cunning and charming immortal seventeen year old begins to travel and experience young america. Along the way, Zebulon meets an array of quirky and fascinating characters, falls in love and witnesses utter devastation, knowing well that while everything around him will grow and change, that he will not.

"Fun facts for your enjoyment, Dearest Reader! I do not eat. I do not exercise. I do not sleep. I do not bleed."

Although a shocking 656 pages, I was unmoved by it's length and excitedly anticipated reading Daniel Kraus' latest. Upon beginning the prologue, I instantly found myself falling in love with Zebulon's narrative voice. His suave dialogue and cunning choice of words charmed me, and was almost purposely flirtatious. I would describe it as being one of the best experiences I've had reading a retelling of events from a character's perspective. From a war torn city to a loving embrace, Zebulon easily swayed my emotions with each new chapter in his life - I was wholesomely invested through his ups and downs.

Daniel Kraus' development of Zebulon Finch, although extraordinary, wasn't the only character to completely suck me in. Characters like Dr. Whistler, Wilma, Merle, and Margeaux, added a meaningful spin to Zebulon's growth throughout the novel. It was wonderful seeing the important roles these characters would take in Zebulon's life and how their relationships (romantic or otherwise) would set the tone for much of the tale's developments.

Despite it's arduous length, The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch was an extraordinary adventure! Zebulon Finch was a first-rate character that dazzled and wowed, begging the reader to fully submerse themselves and devote their time to his tale. I highly anticipate the second installment!

[DreamsOfRain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this one based on the cover and the dust jacket summary so, without spoiling any specifics, here are my general thoughts:

1. It probably was easier to bring to market as a YA novel, but it isn't really YA. It gets pretty explicit in the sex, violence, AND gross-out senses (sometimes several of these at once), so I would not recommend it to anybody who gets squeamish and DEFINITELY would not recommend just gifting a copy to someone else without having read it first.

2. There were a few VERY memorably shocking scenes, and the whole section in Boston was...really something.

3. If you aren't keen on unlikeable characters or, especially, narrators, this is not the book to read. There's Zebulon himself, and then the fact that he either attracts or gravitates towards some truly messed-up people.

4. Likewise, if you aren't keen on Victorian flowery prose, it is not the book for you because Zebulon narrates the whole book in this manner. The author does at least explain why in the beginning, so he isn't just some run-of-the-mill street urchin who talks like a Victorian novelist.

5. I was originally going to give this 5 stars before I'd actually finished, but the author is sometimes REALLY clunky at inserting time markers--characters sometimes come on way too heavily with the period slang (the 1920s reporter) or, more frequently, have infodump conversations with each other about events and/or famous people of that time. This bothered me more often with the second half of the book, particularly the Hollywood era, so I couldn't justify giving it a full 5 stars.

In short, I greatly enjoyed this novel and will definitely buying the sequel, but at the same time I would not recommend this series to everybody.

[K.N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Gød, there is more to this literary feast!


I NEED PART II! CURSE THIS POVERTY!

I do not consider this a young adult book. I would have loved to read this when I was a young adult, but aside from Zebulon's vampiric/zombified Peter Pan syndrome, this is very much an adult story with adult themes.

For one, a seventeen year-old in 1896 was an adult by nearly all definitions. Especially a seventeen year-old with dear Zebulon's activities and inclinations.

Two, this is grim. So deliciously, enjoyably grim.

In describing this book to those around me, I have made comparisons to Frankenstein on numerous occasions. It is the protagonist's (often lamenting) reminiscence of what has brought him to his current (pitiful) state. The big difference is Zebulon is a hybrid of both the doctor and his creature; he is, in fact, a monster.

Zebulon is both extremely charismatic and abhorrent. I adore him. I love flawed characters like this, and his condition, ability, and the mystery behind it are extremely engrossing.

Part I covers the ground from Zebulon's birth, death, and re-birth up to the Golden Age of Hollywood and Pearl Harbor. I was not bored once, and I can't wait for more!

Special mention to the cover designer and illustrator, Lizzy Bromley and Ken Taylor; I saw this book in the bookstore without hearing anything about it and bought it based on its design alone. Kudos! Do you know how rare that is for me? You hooked me, and I'm so grateful.

[Martha T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think perhaps the negative reviews of this book stem from preconceptions about it or its genre. It is not a breezy teen novel, despite it being marked as YA. And I don't mean to say that this is just because of its dark tones and explicit scenes, but because it is a very longwinded story. It is segmented in such a way that the previous time period of Zebulon's life is not necessarily needed to understand the current period (except for some recurring characters). He doesn't have much of a long term goal. When he moves to another place he leaves everything behind him, or at least tries to.

As such, you should take it more as an episodic show or serialized novel that so happens to be aggregated into 2 large volumes, reminiscent of forest Gump or The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared. DO NOT binge the book, I can safely say that is the wrong way to consume this content. I am usually a fast reader, but I read the duology over the period of maybe a year and a half (while reading other books on the side). Reading it this way, I was generally enthralled with the plot. I'm not saying this is necessary, but I think reading it in a week or two would make it feel bloated -- which it's not. It's just detailed.

It is well written, though provoking, and carefully balances between its dark subject matter and an almost playful narration style. also, my take on why it was labelled YA, despite its dark and semi sexually explicit content (though I will say, I read this as a teen and it isn't that bad. it isn't overly graphic, but it has dark scenes because the themes were dark and the main character's life is dark).

it is, in essence, a coming of age story. the only caveat is that Zebulon cannot age. so it takes a while.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zebulon Finch is a master storyteller, ambitiously telling the tale of his first death and subsequent resurrection. As a gangster teen in 1879, Zebulon is murdered then finds himself alive again able to relive many lives that Kraus intelligently weaves with American history, from bygone Hollywood to war. In the first volume, Kraus leaves us at the doorstep of World War II with much anticipation for its sequel. Zebulon’s journey is narrated in the first person and after a few sentences, the title character engenders himself to readers with his unique account: “I have been seventeen years old for over a century. Even as I lay down these first few lines of what I intend to be the definitive chronicle of my miserable existence, I can hear Hector apply the final blanket of cement to my tomb.” Each situation brings a cast of characters that are funny, mature, serious, and mysterious affecting Zebulon’s universe. With their abundance, the adventure ensues in epic fashion.
The book is substantial at over six hundred pages but all events are carefully plotted and elaborately drawn, likewise, situations including patronizing prostitutes and war make the content for a more mature fantasy reader. But these readers will not be disappointed, making this another treat for fans of Kraus’ work. While it might not be for every reader, it should be an option on the shelf in every library.

[Tanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, be forewarned that this book breaks many conventions of what a novel should be. It reads (by design) like a memoir, and lacks some of the plotting and conflict elements of traditional fiction. On the whole, the story is interesting enough, although I do not enjoy the main character. The experience of reading this book is challenging, at least for me, because it is as if we are trapped forever in the mind of a teenager, and not just any teenager, but a psychopath teenager. His history of violence makes some plot developments, such as his World War I heroism, seem unrealistic. At least the narrator has the good sense to acknowledge his inconsistent behavior. Also, the Victorian affectation of addressing the reader directly, can be somewhat annoying. I understand the narrator is a relic of a past century, and while I understand that his brain is incapable of maturing in terms of decision making, he is capable of learning posthumously (as evidenced by his learning to drive a car): I just wish he would learn less stilted vocal patterns.
Additionally, and this may just be my prejudice as an older woman, but I cannot see how this novel is considered an appropriate teen novel in light of the macabre and pornographic nature of many of the scenes. I am planning on reading volume 2 just to see have a story pans out.

[Corey Henio · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch is a tremendous expedition of an extraordinary, horrific yet detailed some what addressed as a memoir of how someone could alter their life with a second chance. One could struggle but testing their new strength to get back up on their feet, to take the opportunity to reinvent one's self, and searching the core of redemption. In my opinion, this book was like a freaky science fiction of Forest Gump impacted with an immortal, teenage Oliver Twist, set in a paused life in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. 642 pages; this book took me three days to read, and it also took me a while to get back down to earth, but it is worth reading and I couldn't even put this book down, even if I tried. I felt as if I was Zebulon, narrating the entire journey, gasping at every twisted moments, clutching my chest at the most magnificent collisions, and swimming in a pool of my own tears. I am hell bent to know what happens next!!!

[Georgette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite a sweeping epic of Zebulon Finch, a young teen who is murdered but then is brought back to "life"....multiple lives. He gets to live so many lives, but will he ever claim redemption for the murder and misdeeds in his previous life?
This sweeping, historical epic reminded me a LOT of "Jonathan Strange And Mr. Norrell" by Susannah Clarke. The descriptiveness, the characterizations, and the telling of the story behind Zebulon. Wow. What a great, absorbing book.
There are some situations that might upset the youngins, and some of a sexual nature. Also some violent situations, so this one should be age 14 and up, in my opinion. It doesn't take away from the book itself, though. I can't even think of how Volume 2 will play out.

[Christine Ritchey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just... I'm going to have to read that again. Simply because I'm sure I missed things in this "massive piece of insanity," but also because it is incredibly intriguing. Can I have volume 2 now please?