Title: Brains: a Zombie Memoir
Author: Robin Becker
Release: June 1, 2010
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 3 Stars

Brains offers an interesting take on the zombies, or at least I think it does. I have to admit, I don’t read a lot of zombie books… something about the rotting flesh that does me in. Yet, I had heard good things about this book and it was a quick read (only 182 pages) so I jumped on board the zombie train. Unfortunately, this book was just OK – it had it’s moments, but overall I was left wanting more.

Jack Barnes is a well educated professor who suddenly finds himself a zombie. Yet, he isnt a mindless brain eating zombie, he has somehow retained his ability to think and to write. He sets off trying to find other zombies like himself and ends up creating his own little zombie family, ready to show the world they can co-exist with humans.

Overall Jack is an interesting guy, if you can overlook the fact he comes across as kind of a jerk before he was zombified. His, and perhaps this book’s, downfall is the way he narrates the story. The narration is filled with pop culture references and one line zingers. Granted some are funny, but a lot of them felt forced just for the sake of trying to be funny and turned me off to his character. Add in that he is kind of a jerk when he talks about his wife and I soon found him to be a pretty unlikeable character. I did warm up to him as he warmed up to his new zombie family, but it was a little too late. What I enjoyed most about the story was the cast of characters he collects around him – they are a merry band of misfits and I would have love to get inside their heads and see some of the story from their perspective.

In addition to an unlikable main character, I found the story to be slow. I wanted more to happen… its only 182 pages but I found myself yawning at page 100. Even in the end, I felt the plot just kind of went pfffft. There was a small climax but it was more of a speed bump and all of a sudden the book was over.

So, I have am complaining about all of these things… why am I giving it a 3?? Well even with these faults it was a decent read. It was quick and there were some moments where I laughed out loud. Robin Becker is certainly a talented writer and the idea is one I would love to see expanded on with a bit better story line. As it is, I had some problems with it stylistically – but you may not. I can certainly see the potential for the idea and the writer behind it. The end is a bit open ended, allowing room for a sequel. If there is one I will certainly pick it up to see where it goes.

FTC Disclaimer: Book was given to me for review