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Living with the Living Dead: The Wisdom of the Zombie Apocalypse
When humankind faces what it perceives as a threat to its very existence, a macabre thing happens in art, literature, and corpses begin to stand up and walk around. The dead walked in the fourteenth century, when the Black Death and other catastrophes roiled Europe. They walked in images from World War I, when a generation died horribly in the trenches. They walked in art inspired by the Holocaust and by the atomic attacks on Japan. Now, in the early twenty-first century, the dead walk in stories of the zombie apocalypse, some of the most ubiquitous narratives of post-9/11 Western culture. Zombies appear in popular movies and television shows, comics and graphic novels, fiction, games, art, and in material culture including pinball machines, zombie runs, and lottery tickets.The zombie apocalypse, Greg Garrett shows us, has become an archetypal narrative for the contemporary world, in part because zombies can stand in for any of a variety of global threats, from terrorism to Ebola, from economic uncertainty to ecological destruction. But this zombie narrative also brings us emotional and spiritual comfort. These apocalyptic stories, in which the world has been turned upside down and protagonists face the prospect of an imminent and grisly death, can also offer us wisdom about living in a community, present us with real-world ethical solutions, and invite us into conversation about the value and costs of survival. We may indeed be living with the living dead these days, but through the stories we consume and the games we play, we are paradoxically learning what it means to be fully alive.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2017
5 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Greg Garrett
46 books77 followersGreg Garrett is the Austin, Texas author of two dozen books of fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and translation. Like his literary heroes James Baldwin and Marilynne Robinson, Greg moves fluidly from fiction to nonfiction exploring the big human questions, and in his books, hoping to help his readers discover some answers of their own. Among his latest books are a book of conversation with his friend Rowan Williams, the past Archbishop of Canterbury (In Conversation), a lead trade title from Oxford University Press exploring our post-9/11 obsession with the zombie apocalypse (Living with the Living Dead, Starred Review in Library Journal), the tenth-anniversary edition of his searing yet hopeful memoir of depression and faith (Crossing Myself, featured on FOX News), and a novel retelling one of our great archetypal stories in the modern world of 24/7 news and social media (The Prodigal, Starred Review in Publishers Weekly). Greg's debut novel, Free Bird, was chosen by Publishers Weekly as a First Fiction feature, and the Denver Rocky Mountain News named it one of the best first novels of 2002. His other novels are Cycling and Shame. All have been critically acclaimed.
Greg is perhaps best known for his writing on faith, culture, race, politics, and narrative. BBC Radio has called Greg "one of America's leading voices on religion and culture," and he has written on topics ranging from spirituality and suffering to film and pop culture, written on U2, Harry Potter, American politics, and contemporary faith and practice. Greg's nonfiction work has been covered by The New Yorker, USA Today, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Globe and Mail, FOX News Radio, The Christian Science Monitor, BBC Radio, BBC Scotland, National Public Radio, CBS Radio, msnbc.com, DublinTalk Radio, The New Statesman, The National Review, Commonweal, Christianity Today, Vice, Playboy, Mens Health, and many other broadcast, print, and web media sources. Greg has written for Salon.com, The Washington Post, The Daily Mirror, Patheos, FOX News, The Huffington Post, The Spectator, Reform, The Tablet, and other print and web publications in the US and UK, and has spoken across the US and Europe, including appearances at the Edinburgh Festival of Books, the American Library in Paris, Cambridge University, Kings College London, Villanova University, Amerika Haus in Munich, the Greenbelt Festival in the UK, Google London, South by Southwest, Amerika Days in Stuttgart, and the Washington National Cathedral. Greg's current projects are a literary novel set in Paris against the backdrop of international terrorism, a book on race, film, and reconciliation for Oxford University Press, and a book on the wisdom of James Baldwin.
Greg is an award-winning Professor of English at Baylor University, Theologian in Residence at the American Cathedral in Paris, and an elected member of the Texas Institute of Letters. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife Jeanie and their daughters Lily and Sophia.
Greg is perhaps best known for his writing on faith, culture, race, politics, and narrative. BBC Radio has called Greg "one of America's leading voices on religion and culture," and he has written on topics ranging from spirituality and suffering to film and pop culture, written on U2, Harry Potter, American politics, and contemporary faith and practice. Greg's nonfiction work has been covered by The New Yorker, USA Today, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Globe and Mail, FOX News Radio, The Christian Science Monitor, BBC Radio, BBC Scotland, National Public Radio, CBS Radio, msnbc.com, DublinTalk Radio, The New Statesman, The National Review, Commonweal, Christianity Today, Vice, Playboy, Mens Health, and many other broadcast, print, and web media sources. Greg has written for Salon.com, The Washington Post, The Daily Mirror, Patheos, FOX News, The Huffington Post, The Spectator, Reform, The Tablet, and other print and web publications in the US and UK, and has spoken across the US and Europe, including appearances at the Edinburgh Festival of Books, the American Library in Paris, Cambridge University, Kings College London, Villanova University, Amerika Haus in Munich, the Greenbelt Festival in the UK, Google London, South by Southwest, Amerika Days in Stuttgart, and the Washington National Cathedral. Greg's current projects are a literary novel set in Paris against the backdrop of international terrorism, a book on race, film, and reconciliation for Oxford University Press, and a book on the wisdom of James Baldwin.
Greg is an award-winning Professor of English at Baylor University, Theologian in Residence at the American Cathedral in Paris, and an elected member of the Texas Institute of Letters. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife Jeanie and their daughters Lily and Sophia.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 7, 2017
I was rather surprised this book was as heavy with religion as it was, since I did not get that from the summary for the work that is written on Goodreads. Some readers may take issue with it, but the book is still an interesting read. Sometimes I feel like I am living in a zombie apocalypse and with several dive bars near where I live, sometimes, late at night, it looks like the zombie apocalypse, but I digress...
Overall, Mr. Greg Garrett's book is an interesting study of the current zombie phenomena and what can be taken from this trend. I'm not quite sure I'll ever look at zombie movies in quite the same way again. I would rate this book a 4.4.
My copy of this book was obtained from a Goodreads giveaway.
Overall, Mr. Greg Garrett's book is an interesting study of the current zombie phenomena and what can be taken from this trend. I'm not quite sure I'll ever look at zombie movies in quite the same way again. I would rate this book a 4.4.
My copy of this book was obtained from a Goodreads giveaway.
May 28, 2017
I received a copy of this title from the publisher via Netgalley.
DNF at 40%
Ten Second Synopsis:
An in-depth examination of the popularity of the zombie apocalypse and the social environments that give rise to this.
I put this one down after 40% simply because I felt the author had done his job too well, and I had heard enough on the topic that I agreed with. The book highlights the ways in which the imagery of the undead often accompanies moments in history that trigger instability and a sense of doom. The book focuses on different aspects of the human experience that are highlighted by the zombie apocalypse narrative - the strength of community, for instance - and does this by examining the themes and events common to various iconic zombie-related pop cultural phenomenon of recent history. These include The Walking Dead, Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead and the satirical Shaun of the Dead. I imagine hardcore fans of these stories will get a new perspective as they watch after reading this book. Even though, of the shows featured, I had only seen Shaun of the Dead (and that a long while ago), it didn't hinder my engagement with the points the author was trying to make.
The author himself notes that he makes some of his points from a Christian perspective and while this didn't bother me particularly, it may not be to everyone's taste. The biggest problem I had with the book was that the author made his point so well during the introductory first chapter that I didn't really feel the need to read to the end of the book! If you have a burning interest in pop culture phenomena and how these influence and in turn, are influenced by wider world events, you should find something to keep you amused here.
DNF at 40%
Ten Second Synopsis:
An in-depth examination of the popularity of the zombie apocalypse and the social environments that give rise to this.
I put this one down after 40% simply because I felt the author had done his job too well, and I had heard enough on the topic that I agreed with. The book highlights the ways in which the imagery of the undead often accompanies moments in history that trigger instability and a sense of doom. The book focuses on different aspects of the human experience that are highlighted by the zombie apocalypse narrative - the strength of community, for instance - and does this by examining the themes and events common to various iconic zombie-related pop cultural phenomenon of recent history. These include The Walking Dead, Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead and the satirical Shaun of the Dead. I imagine hardcore fans of these stories will get a new perspective as they watch after reading this book. Even though, of the shows featured, I had only seen Shaun of the Dead (and that a long while ago), it didn't hinder my engagement with the points the author was trying to make.
The author himself notes that he makes some of his points from a Christian perspective and while this didn't bother me particularly, it may not be to everyone's taste. The biggest problem I had with the book was that the author made his point so well during the introductory first chapter that I didn't really feel the need to read to the end of the book! If you have a burning interest in pop culture phenomena and how these influence and in turn, are influenced by wider world events, you should find something to keep you amused here.
June 19, 2023
This is a surprisingly entertaining and very informative look at why the zombie apocalypse story has become so popular, and how far back this popularity actually goes. Garrett does come to this from a largely Christian point of view, but given his history that's not surprisingly and this is acknowledged in the introduction so readers are prepared for it. That aside, the lessons and insights are well thought out and applicable to all regardless of denomination or lack thereof as Garrett runs through the key lessons and importance of the zombie genre from questions who the zombies really are through the need for community and ethics to questioning how bad is an apocalypse really (I rather like this chapter myself). Garrett also focuses more on the non-Romero side of things using Shaun of the Dead, 28 Days Later, I Am Legend and others to draw on, with nods to the legacy of Romero which has been analyzed extensively elsewhere. The writing is accessible and easy to read, dealing with complex matters clearly and succinctly drawing on various examples to demonstrate the points being made. A surprise to find in the theology section of Gladstone Library and a delight to read. I will be enjoying my zombie favourites with a new eye.
November 9, 2020
I'm not a big fan of zombies and this book helped me to understand why. This is a work of nonfiction which analyzes the historical and philosophical roots of the Zombie Apocalypse, going back to the medieval Black Death and as recently as contemporary TV shows. The author views zombies and their fiction portrayals through a number of lenses and attempts to explain their appeal to contemporary society. Overall, this book made for an interesting read and I now have a better appreciation for the repulsive zombie.
July 17, 2017
Is there wisdom to be found in stories of a Zombie Apocalypse? That is a difficult question for me to answer, since I have tended to avoid novels and movies that involve the living dead. Maybe it was going to see Dracula as a child (I had nightmares) that has made me squeamish about such things. In any case, Greg Garrett has written a book to help us discern just such wisdom.
With great dexterity, Garrett, who teaches English at Baylor University and is an ordained Episcopal priest, weaves reflections on Zombie stories old and recent with theology. Being that I am not a fan of such stories, I found it somewhat difficult at times to work through the book. In other words, as he tells of characters and scenes in books and movies, I simply was at a loss, as I had not had encounters with them. Yet, when he turned to the explanation things began to make sense. I am like the disciples who did not have ears to hear the meaning of Jesus' parables.
The point of the book is reflecting on what has become one of the most prominent stories of our time -- this sense that the end is dawning. We live in an apocalyptic moment, when the dead seem to be walking in our midst, seeking to eat our brains. Just look at our politics. Everyone seems to think that all is lost. Perhaps Donald Trump is the messiah or maybe he's the anti-Christ. Garrett writes that his intention is to explore a common story that suggests that "the world faces an impeding or actual breakdown of society because of creatures that are spreading across the earth, killing everyone in their path or turning them into beings like themselves" (p. 6). Thus, as he notes, the stories allow us to wrestle with questions about what it means to be human. The popularity of the stories also suggest that something is going on beyond mere entertainment. They appear to stand in for perceived threats that are looming. They also raise questions about the meaning of life, as well as what it means to be human.
In the first chapter, titled "Life, Death, and Zombies," Garrett provides a lengthy discussion of the identity of zombies, introducing us to characters and stories. From there, he takes us into a conversation about community, and then ethics. It's intriguing how one can find meaning in such stories.
In the fourth chapter, he asks whether the zombie apocalypse is good or bad. In essence, he brings us into a conversation about the value of apocalyptic stories. These stories reflect a a nihilistic vision. But, if we pay attention to the stories, they give visions of hope. Community emerges. People come together and support one another. He notes that secular apocalypses tend to be devoid of any sense of hope or redemption. The same is not true of religious versions, such as found in Revelation. I found this chapter and its discussion of nihilism especially poignant. Perhaps that is because we seem to live in a time of nihilistic movements like ISIS. He writes that "by admitting that things are bad, by sharing our dread, and by allowing ourselves to mutually agree that we are all a part of this alarming reality, we are at least taking away the suffering experienced by Robert Neville in his solitude. We are not alone, for others suffer alongside us" (p. 203).
As noted, if, like me, you do not know these stories or characters, some of the book will be hard sledding. At the same time, there is much to be gained by reading the book. Garrett is a good, insightful author. He knows how to weave the stories (like parables) with the theological reflections. It is a reminder that the prominence of certain genres might tell us something about how we as a society are feeling. That might prove spiritually beneficial.
With great dexterity, Garrett, who teaches English at Baylor University and is an ordained Episcopal priest, weaves reflections on Zombie stories old and recent with theology. Being that I am not a fan of such stories, I found it somewhat difficult at times to work through the book. In other words, as he tells of characters and scenes in books and movies, I simply was at a loss, as I had not had encounters with them. Yet, when he turned to the explanation things began to make sense. I am like the disciples who did not have ears to hear the meaning of Jesus' parables.
The point of the book is reflecting on what has become one of the most prominent stories of our time -- this sense that the end is dawning. We live in an apocalyptic moment, when the dead seem to be walking in our midst, seeking to eat our brains. Just look at our politics. Everyone seems to think that all is lost. Perhaps Donald Trump is the messiah or maybe he's the anti-Christ. Garrett writes that his intention is to explore a common story that suggests that "the world faces an impeding or actual breakdown of society because of creatures that are spreading across the earth, killing everyone in their path or turning them into beings like themselves" (p. 6). Thus, as he notes, the stories allow us to wrestle with questions about what it means to be human. The popularity of the stories also suggest that something is going on beyond mere entertainment. They appear to stand in for perceived threats that are looming. They also raise questions about the meaning of life, as well as what it means to be human.
In the first chapter, titled "Life, Death, and Zombies," Garrett provides a lengthy discussion of the identity of zombies, introducing us to characters and stories. From there, he takes us into a conversation about community, and then ethics. It's intriguing how one can find meaning in such stories.
In the fourth chapter, he asks whether the zombie apocalypse is good or bad. In essence, he brings us into a conversation about the value of apocalyptic stories. These stories reflect a a nihilistic vision. But, if we pay attention to the stories, they give visions of hope. Community emerges. People come together and support one another. He notes that secular apocalypses tend to be devoid of any sense of hope or redemption. The same is not true of religious versions, such as found in Revelation. I found this chapter and its discussion of nihilism especially poignant. Perhaps that is because we seem to live in a time of nihilistic movements like ISIS. He writes that "by admitting that things are bad, by sharing our dread, and by allowing ourselves to mutually agree that we are all a part of this alarming reality, we are at least taking away the suffering experienced by Robert Neville in his solitude. We are not alone, for others suffer alongside us" (p. 203).
As noted, if, like me, you do not know these stories or characters, some of the book will be hard sledding. At the same time, there is much to be gained by reading the book. Garrett is a good, insightful author. He knows how to weave the stories (like parables) with the theological reflections. It is a reminder that the prominence of certain genres might tell us something about how we as a society are feeling. That might prove spiritually beneficial.
June 15, 2017
Overall, the book wasn't bad. It's put into 4 chapters with a conclusion as, arguably, a very long thesis. It ties the study of Zombies in pop-culture to religious studies, as well as other codified beliefs outside religious spectrums, and then dances into human behavior, outright, on and off again.
If I have any qualm with the writing, it has to be this: the repetition of key scenes from select movies and shows makes the book, at times, feel unnecessarily tedious. Throughout the chapters, the same exact scenes are replayed over and over again on an infinite loop (EG: Columbus being attacked by 406 is mentioned quite a few times, the same scenes from McCarthy's "The Road" are mentioned, The same scenes from "I Am Legend.")
It seems the author had quite a bit of source material to draw from (Marvel Zombies, DC's Blackest Night, Game Of Thrones, The Walking Dead, 28 Days Later, I Am Legend, Night Of The Living Dead, The Road, IZombie, Scout's Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse, Shaun Of The Dead, Afterlife With Archie, as well as Poems by TS Eliot and others). So to repeat the same, exact, precise narratives multiple times just seems to be adding to page length, which only makes the book "weighty", but doesn't add any comparative function.
Overall, I might suggest hiking through the narrative and/or reading the book if you plan on writing Zombie Fiction or anything similar to it. However, to read merely to read? Or for entertainment? At points, the repetition of various themes (Religious, Atheist, or otherwise), only creates drudgery and leaves a tax on continued interest.
(Equally: The narrative of "What makes humans, human", seems to have taken quite a few liberties and pushed them forward as "fact". EG: In comparison to animals and a short segment on "Souls", while ignoring recent studies of: animals learning, and being able to choose their own willful, actionable courses in at the very least, select species.)
Despite this: It's a decent book, but it should have been better culled (shorter), and arguably, the editor should have done a better job.
If I have any qualm with the writing, it has to be this: the repetition of key scenes from select movies and shows makes the book, at times, feel unnecessarily tedious. Throughout the chapters, the same exact scenes are replayed over and over again on an infinite loop (EG: Columbus being attacked by 406 is mentioned quite a few times, the same scenes from McCarthy's "The Road" are mentioned, The same scenes from "I Am Legend.")
It seems the author had quite a bit of source material to draw from (Marvel Zombies, DC's Blackest Night, Game Of Thrones, The Walking Dead, 28 Days Later, I Am Legend, Night Of The Living Dead, The Road, IZombie, Scout's Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse, Shaun Of The Dead, Afterlife With Archie, as well as Poems by TS Eliot and others). So to repeat the same, exact, precise narratives multiple times just seems to be adding to page length, which only makes the book "weighty", but doesn't add any comparative function.
Overall, I might suggest hiking through the narrative and/or reading the book if you plan on writing Zombie Fiction or anything similar to it. However, to read merely to read? Or for entertainment? At points, the repetition of various themes (Religious, Atheist, or otherwise), only creates drudgery and leaves a tax on continued interest.
(Equally: The narrative of "What makes humans, human", seems to have taken quite a few liberties and pushed them forward as "fact". EG: In comparison to animals and a short segment on "Souls", while ignoring recent studies of: animals learning, and being able to choose their own willful, actionable courses in at the very least, select species.)
Despite this: It's a decent book, but it should have been better culled (shorter), and arguably, the editor should have done a better job.
July 17, 2017
What's not to like about zombies? Greg Garrett introduces an unexpected theme here with zombies and their religious implications. These two ideas are naturally compatible since the original idea of a zombie derived from Haitian religion. Of course, the zombies in popular culture are something quite different. Garrett ably mines the concept for meaning in understanding religion.
Popular culture demonstrates that religion is not really dead. There are many implications for this way of thinking, for those who are able to see it. Garrett is clearly one. His narrative entertains and informs. Of course, zombies are a vast field these days, and Garrett had to make some decisions about what to leave out as well as what to include. The end result is an enjoyable romp through pop culture with an eye to what it can teach us about religion.
I wrote a bit more about the book on my blog as well: Sects and Violence in the Ancient World.
Popular culture demonstrates that religion is not really dead. There are many implications for this way of thinking, for those who are able to see it. Garrett is clearly one. His narrative entertains and informs. Of course, zombies are a vast field these days, and Garrett had to make some decisions about what to leave out as well as what to include. The end result is an enjoyable romp through pop culture with an eye to what it can teach us about religion.
I wrote a bit more about the book on my blog as well: Sects and Violence in the Ancient World.
June 27, 2017
I’m not sure what I think of this book. Although, the author does an in depth study of society’s obsession with zombies and the zombie apocalypse, I feel it wasn’t enough for a full book. He does compare various zombie movies and the human need for survival and does tie it with religion. Some of it was repetitious and I found myself skimming through some of it. He acknowledges many movies and sometimes over and over again. It is an admirable attempt but too long.
July 28, 2017
I found this an interesting read, but one that for me that would be better read within a group where you can have discussions as you go along chapter by chapter. I do think this book would be a good one for Pop-culture classes to delve into, discuss, and compare to today's tumultuous times and/or what could become of our futures, as it does have these aspects within it, and could be used for a good debate.
February 11, 2018
I love zombie stories and movies, so I jumped at the chance to win this book through Firstreads. This book is quite insightful as to why people are fascinated with zombies. I can't say any of his conclusions surprised me, as I've had many discussions about these same reasons over the years. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in understanding the zombie craze or the psychology behind it.
July 2, 2017
I was one of those people who definitely didn't get why zombie stories are so popular today and this book opened my eyes to a lot of the appeal and start to recognize tropes in these narratives that I've never noticed before. I'm seriously way more interested in zombie stories now after reading this.
November 8, 2017
An in-depth examination of the popularity of the zombie apocalypse and the social environments that give rise to this. I would say this book is for all the folks who, like me, are asking: why are zombies so popular? Garrett's book considers an answer from a variety of lenses.
May 8, 2017
While a trifle heavy on the religious side, this was an interesting look at the psychology and philosophy behind the media fascination with zombies.
July 8, 2017
In my opinion the book was okay. As I was reading I felt a little bored I think because it was repeated movie references and other points.
April 29, 2019
A very heartwarming reflection on a subgenre I love. A reminder to carry the light in the darkest times.
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October 18, 2018I reviewed this book on Episcopal Cafe:
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews