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Zeelam
Sri Lanka is on the edge of a mosquito-borne, zombie apocalypse. An army zombie hunter and an NGO infection inspector struggle against the increasing, daily outbreaks in Colombo. They discover that the ‘Zees’ have a one they could use to overwhelm the entire city. Yet before they can fight the zombies, they must first overcome a panicked social media blackout; the ugliness of unchecked Sinhala-Muslim violence; and the corruption and stupidity of their own government. By gun and blade they must somehow save their city – but first, they must save themselves. 'Zeelam' is a Sri Lankan zombie apocalypse story. Sri Lankan and Diaspora readers will appreciate the local flavor - and also the quite local problems. International fans of the genre may find these touches perplexing, but will find the mosquito-driven spread of the disease of interest, as written from the perspective of a native of a country actively fighting a mosquito-borne, dengue epidemic.
114 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2018
3 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Navin Weeraratne
17 books20 followersI'm a miniature painter, living in Sri Lanka. When I'm not writing science fiction, I'm playing table top RPGs, brushing up on my science reading, and stalking Neil Degrasse Tyson.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 15, 2020
Hopefully this book is satire because it is such a joke lol 😂
I didn't find Zeelam fun to read or decently written. The zombies, their MO and the 'science' behind them is interesting and a lot of things I like but the human characters and the rest of the story I found either boring and annoying.
I while I wouldn’t recommend Zeelam, you can probably get some enjoyment if you read it as “so-bad-it-is-good” way.
It is reminiscent of a zombie novel written by a teenage boy who watches a lot of anime and thinks welding more weapons at once makes your character more bad ass mixed with the petty, gossipy, mean spirited writing of an Ashok Ferrey novel. If that appeals to you maybe borrow it from a friend or read it at the bookshop. It doesn’t have cute cover so idk if it’s worth spending to decorate your bookshelf.
Actually, if you like, you can have my copy, as long as you don't mind my annotations in the corners of some pages which document my unpleasant reading experience
Read my longer spoiler-filled review on my blog
I didn't find Zeelam fun to read or decently written. The zombies, their MO and the 'science' behind them is interesting and a lot of things I like but the human characters and the rest of the story I found either boring and annoying.
I while I wouldn’t recommend Zeelam, you can probably get some enjoyment if you read it as “so-bad-it-is-good” way.
It is reminiscent of a zombie novel written by a teenage boy who watches a lot of anime and thinks welding more weapons at once makes your character more bad ass mixed with the petty, gossipy, mean spirited writing of an Ashok Ferrey novel. If that appeals to you maybe borrow it from a friend or read it at the bookshop. It doesn’t have cute cover so idk if it’s worth spending to decorate your bookshelf.
Actually, if you like, you can have my copy, as long as you don't mind my annotations in the corners of some pages which document my unpleasant reading experience
Read my longer spoiler-filled review on my blog
September 10, 2018
I don't usually read or watch zombie related stuff. So understandably I cringed and even skimmed through some of the more gruesome descriptions.
However I LOVED the commentary on culture and society! I could not put the book down and kept laughing through one gag / joke after the other. A lot of them are insider jokes so unfortunately a lot of foreigners may not get it - unlucky for them.
We are so used to American movies on the theme, it was refreshing to see how people power would deal with an issue like this. If only all our problems could be handled as efficiently, or quickly.
However I LOVED the commentary on culture and society! I could not put the book down and kept laughing through one gag / joke after the other. A lot of them are insider jokes so unfortunately a lot of foreigners may not get it - unlucky for them.
We are so used to American movies on the theme, it was refreshing to see how people power would deal with an issue like this. If only all our problems could be handled as efficiently, or quickly.
May 14, 2018
Told at blistering pace, this well-researched story spins a brutal (and brutally funny) tale about zombies in Sri Lanka.
May 20, 2018
A Zombie Virus in Colombo, then all hell breaks loose. Zombie stories have become very common in novels, comics and even mass media such as movies and TV shows recently. However, a zombie story in Sri Lanka is something you will rarely encounter. This book gives a fast pacing, intense tale of how a zombie virus develops gradually in the city of Colombo, the commercial capital. Another question the author addresses is whether Colombo is ready if such disaster occurs.
The entire narrative shifts between several characters. The discoveries of these characters evolve the story from one moment to another while addressing many incidents that took place in Sri Lanka over the years. These incidents have created somewhat of an impact to the country and that makes this book more of a social commentary wrapped in a zombie thriller. The book addresses how topics such as politics, social ethics play out throughout the event. The writer has done an octopus research to maintain the story as grounded as possible. All the locations, events are what make this story different from any other zombie tale. For a Sri Lankan, this will hit very close to home. Even the Zeelam virus is not a just a zombie virus that the author popped out of thin air. He has managed to give a proper explanation given with an actual scientific basis. There are a lot of humor, suspense and drama between the characters involved. You will read this book in one go. It will give you a lot to think about.
The writing style is interesting as you don’t get the feeling of beating around the bush. The lines have a solid flow and on point. Each line pretty much paints a picture. This will be a novel that can be enjoyed by both young and mature audiences.
Zeelam has more room to develop. The author has addressed only how Colombo city is affected by the virus. A question can be raised how the Zees would affect in other provinces and districts. The story gives a feeling that there is more to it and I believe he would expand this tale even more with interesting characters.
The entire narrative shifts between several characters. The discoveries of these characters evolve the story from one moment to another while addressing many incidents that took place in Sri Lanka over the years. These incidents have created somewhat of an impact to the country and that makes this book more of a social commentary wrapped in a zombie thriller. The book addresses how topics such as politics, social ethics play out throughout the event. The writer has done an octopus research to maintain the story as grounded as possible. All the locations, events are what make this story different from any other zombie tale. For a Sri Lankan, this will hit very close to home. Even the Zeelam virus is not a just a zombie virus that the author popped out of thin air. He has managed to give a proper explanation given with an actual scientific basis. There are a lot of humor, suspense and drama between the characters involved. You will read this book in one go. It will give you a lot to think about.
The writing style is interesting as you don’t get the feeling of beating around the bush. The lines have a solid flow and on point. Each line pretty much paints a picture. This will be a novel that can be enjoyed by both young and mature audiences.
Zeelam has more room to develop. The author has addressed only how Colombo city is affected by the virus. A question can be raised how the Zees would affect in other provinces and districts. The story gives a feeling that there is more to it and I believe he would expand this tale even more with interesting characters.
May 22, 2018
This is my 2nd completed book by Navin Weeraratne in under 30 days and god damn I got so much to say.
And before I do, let me get a couple of things out of the way...
1. I am an avid hater of Zombie genre
2. How is it your FB page Navin Weeraratne only has 156 likes? o.O
3. If you've never read the likes of Sri Lankan authors like Navin, Yudhanjaya and Mandy you are missing out big time!
I do not know how I can say all the things I wanna say about Zeelam without spoiling it a little (Only a little) so here goes...
**SPOILER ALERT**
As usual true to Navin style the pace of his story telling is addictively hyperactive. I am awe-inspired at how he uses dialogue and action sequences to paint the picture, and it literally runs the reel in your head.
Cheeky mentions of Kinita Shenoy's sad stories of the BIA incident, Anim8.lk that makes anything doing the legendary katana and not forgetting the cheeky jabs at Thomian "college" boys and Peterite dudebro moments.
I legit chuckled out loud at the "I'll show you bobz!" kill shot. Yep "show bobz" makes an appearance too.
Zeelam tactfully attacks the systems and the social justice talkers vs doers conundrum. The frustrations on the Lankan corrupt political drama and its department heads who will drag everything out until it is too late, just so they don't have to do any work to earn their keep.
A brilliantly researched novella with interesting footnotes to make it easier for the reader to find the references to actual incidents and reports, Zeelam stays true to Navin's style of Hard Scifi Novelling.
The ending leaves you so unfulfilled that maybe Navin will do a sequel? For Justice and all that ;)
I recommend this to even YA audience coz this is a fun read with a looming reality of doom making you feel, "fuck, this can actually happen!" It is not a long read so you can literally finish it in one sitting.
My favourite quote "Even at the end of the world a Sri Lankan man is surprised when a woman acts like a man."
And before I do, let me get a couple of things out of the way...
1. I am an avid hater of Zombie genre
2. How is it your FB page Navin Weeraratne only has 156 likes? o.O
3. If you've never read the likes of Sri Lankan authors like Navin, Yudhanjaya and Mandy you are missing out big time!
I do not know how I can say all the things I wanna say about Zeelam without spoiling it a little (Only a little) so here goes...
**SPOILER ALERT**
As usual true to Navin style the pace of his story telling is addictively hyperactive. I am awe-inspired at how he uses dialogue and action sequences to paint the picture, and it literally runs the reel in your head.
Cheeky mentions of Kinita Shenoy's sad stories of the BIA incident, Anim8.lk that makes anything doing the legendary katana and not forgetting the cheeky jabs at Thomian "college" boys and Peterite dudebro moments.
I legit chuckled out loud at the "I'll show you bobz!" kill shot. Yep "show bobz" makes an appearance too.
Zeelam tactfully attacks the systems and the social justice talkers vs doers conundrum. The frustrations on the Lankan corrupt political drama and its department heads who will drag everything out until it is too late, just so they don't have to do any work to earn their keep.
A brilliantly researched novella with interesting footnotes to make it easier for the reader to find the references to actual incidents and reports, Zeelam stays true to Navin's style of Hard Scifi Novelling.
The ending leaves you so unfulfilled that maybe Navin will do a sequel? For Justice and all that ;)
I recommend this to even YA audience coz this is a fun read with a looming reality of doom making you feel, "fuck, this can actually happen!" It is not a long read so you can literally finish it in one sitting.
My favourite quote "Even at the end of the world a Sri Lankan man is surprised when a woman acts like a man."
June 20, 2018
My first foray into Navin Weeraratnes writing and boy was I in for a roller coaster of a ride. Absolutely loved the pacing and the ease of flow of reading and before I knew it, I was done with the book, hungering for more. Absolutely loved the boldness and the relevance to Sri Lanka, with the very cheeky and relevant jabs at literally everything that has been happening in this little known pearl of the Indian Ocean that we call home. From talking about racial tension and violence, to the harsh reality of the middle east housemaid situation and the typical Sri Lankans that you will come across, such as your dudebro school boys, and your pathetically useless "Raalahaamis"and equally useless ministers and government officials, this book has got it all.
Though what I really must applaud is the actual research put into the virus itself to make it very relevant to our countries already growing problems with dengue and influenza outbreaks. From a medical stand point of view, the writing and concept is actually quite brilliant and very believable which really adds a huge plus point in my books and is well thought out and described without being too out there.
Over all the perfect read for a simple afternoon on a Sunday, and like me before you know it you'll be done with it and hungering for more.
Though what I really must applaud is the actual research put into the virus itself to make it very relevant to our countries already growing problems with dengue and influenza outbreaks. From a medical stand point of view, the writing and concept is actually quite brilliant and very believable which really adds a huge plus point in my books and is well thought out and described without being too out there.
Over all the perfect read for a simple afternoon on a Sunday, and like me before you know it you'll be done with it and hungering for more.
May 22, 2018
Normally I don't find myself reading 'zombie apocalypse' type stories but this one really got me glued to the pages! Each situation rolls out at a pace of an action flick, but the science behind the contagion's origins and the way it spreads plays a big part when it comes to the scariness, urgency and the desperation of the situation. Throw in government incompetence, social media blackouts and psychos in the ranks, you have an entertaining quick read which can keep you fascinated.
The only downside is on a few occasions the dialog feels a wee bit off-key, but its just something that won't bother the flow or the atmosphere at all unless you are really, really keeping an eye out for it.
Overall, 'Zeelam' is a fascinating new take on the 'zombie apocalypse' genre well worth the money and time you spend on it!
The only downside is on a few occasions the dialog feels a wee bit off-key, but its just something that won't bother the flow or the atmosphere at all unless you are really, really keeping an eye out for it.
Overall, 'Zeelam' is a fascinating new take on the 'zombie apocalypse' genre well worth the money and time you spend on it!
November 26, 2018
Interesting characters, unique concept and a great twist and conclusion. If this is truly Sri Lanka's first Zombie novel, it is a good start.
I have not read many Zombie novels, but it sure is in line with some of the movies I have seen.
The best thing is that it is not a bulky book, so it makes for a good rainy day read. Just make sure there is no lighting and mist to go with it.
P.S. it has got a lot of gore, so be warned.
I have not read many Zombie novels, but it sure is in line with some of the movies I have seen.
The best thing is that it is not a bulky book, so it makes for a good rainy day read. Just make sure there is no lighting and mist to go with it.
P.S. it has got a lot of gore, so be warned.
October 1, 2018
Real page-turner from page One.
Originally started as skimmimg then kept reading non-stop from the first page. Has a lot of messages to learn from.
Originally started as skimmimg then kept reading non-stop from the first page. Has a lot of messages to learn from.
November 28, 2018
4.5 stars
December 15, 2020
Spent more time laughing than should be normal for a zombie story. Loved reading a story set in the familiar background of colombo. Hope we get to see what happend next at some point.
October 23, 2022
Highly enjoyable work of Zombie fiction written by a Sri Lankan author and the story takes place in Sri Lanka.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews