Steve Wands

This short book contains a compilation of short stories told from various perspectives, all surrounding the events of a zombie takeover in the eastern United States. “The Stranger,” the first and longest story of the collection, is my favorite. It is atmospheric, conveying the sense of claustrophobia and feeling of quiet desperation surrounding a few survivors who huddle indoors awaiting to see what will happen next as the city outside them is overrun by the living dead. This story is suspenseful but isn’t grotesque, and the ending leaves enough loose ends for the story to potentially go on while also being a sufficient conclusion in its own right. “Tunnel Rats,” the other longer short story in the book, is a bit too gory for my taste, but it focuses on a character, Bark, who is realistic and likeable. The ending provides an interesting hook and leaves you wondering about the future of the survivors. The remaining two stories are more like snippets, showing some other reactions to the zombie takeover, particularly in how it has affected interpersonal relationships. There is also included in this volume some poems from another work by the same author. I enjoyed these few poems, even though they weren’t really related to the rest of the book.… (mehr)