Zombie, I

This is not your normal book. Told from the perspective of a number of different people (zombies), it feels random. With all the other zombie books, and TV shows, and movies, it is nice to have something from a mostly different angle.

The author warned that the book might be too much for some people. I didn't have any trouble with it. The Walking Dead TV show has bothered me much more. In any case, not a book I would recommend for children.

I, Zombie takes the typical, and well-worn, Zombie tale and turns it around to tell the stories from the point of view of the Zombies. This was a different zombie book in that the zombies were not mindless creatures but rather still retained their human identity, albeit without the ability to have much control of their actions. Ultimately, the book isn't really about zombies, but rather humans struggling against their predicament. While there are a few parts that are a bit gruesome, overall the book is well worth the read. While hopefully none of us will have to struggle with being a zombie, many people can probably relate to the feelings of being trapped or having a lack of control of their life. Funnily enough, I had a strong desire to watch "Shaun of the Dead" after reading the book, and it just so happened to be on TV the very next day.

Gore? Yes.
Zombies doing Zombie things? You bet.
Graphic and sometimes stomach churning scenarios? Yup.

A great read? YES!

I couldn't put this book down and shuffled my way through it as quickly as I could.

I typically don't enjoy the zombie genre as a whole but I really did love Hugh's take on zombification of New York City.

Hugh has loving and devoted fans for a reason... can't wait for more!

I have read everything that Hugh Howey has put out so far. I adore his books, and I think he is a fantastic writer who likely deserves more recognition than he gets.

I was not a fan of this book.

**QUASI-SPOILERS**

Still, I gave it three stars because it is very thought provoking, very detail oriented, and the visuals are easily gained by reading his descriptions of things. It is evident, reading this, that he is in fact a very talented author.

I'm not opposed to blood and gore (and there is plenty of that), so that isn't what bothered me. If anything, I loved the blood and gore parts because they were very well done. My main issue with this book is that there was essentially NO PLOT. I enjoyed each viewpoint (each chapter is from the perspective of a different zombie), and I found myself extremely intrigued with the characters. But in all honesty, each chapter could be a (very) short story on its own and really has nothing to do with the book as a whole, aside from the setting and circumstance. I wasn't looking for a happy ending, or resolution, and actually I had few expectations at all. I was disappointed that not one of the characters intersected with the others. I just didn't really see a good flow... there was no beginning, middle, or end... It was a mish mash of little stories.

I find that it is difficult to explain exactly how I feel... But ultimately, if you are really into zombie stuff then you should read this book. But don't expect a "story" or get too attached to any one character, or hope to find any sort of connections between characters aside from their sad state of existence.

**EDIT: This is just a nitpicky thing regarding some of the reviews here, but if you claim that you're a fan of the author, please get the spelling of his name right!

Basically a book about zombies written from the perspective of the zombie. Not so much a dumb zombie thinking, "yum! Brains!", but, without giving spoilers, these zombies think about more than their next meal, which makes the story really interesting. As another reviewer wrote, this isn't a scary book with a happy ending, but it's worth the read.

And I mean "eeeeewwwww" in the nicest way possible!Hugh Howey gives us a look at a zombie apocalypse from the zombies' point of view. I didn't think it would be possible to care about the undead but darn it, Howey's done it again with his incredibly well fleshed-out characters. Deliciously icky.

I adore Hugh Howey. I adore zombie stories. I did not adore this book. I struggled to finish reading it. It just did not keep my interest. It was a wonderful premise, but I just could not find anyone to care about in this odd story.

I can't say enough, or articulate properly, how excellent the quality of writing this man gives us. Cheaply.

It's ridiculous to think I m reading this level of fiction for a few dollars. Seriously.

I predicted his Wool novels would be films. I'm smart. I can see things.

This guy will be another Crichton. Oh ya. Believe it.

Blew me completely away! Horrid, sick, alarmingly poignant, sorrowful and exquisitely dissected accounting that will make you know what Zombie feels, what Zombie thinks, what makes Zombie tick on every level! Bravo, Mr. Howey, Bravo! A true masterpiece.

I believe every true fan of zombie horror should read this book. Never have I experienced the world from the zombie's point of view until this story, and it answered so many questions that lurked in the back of my mind. It pulls no punches, it will shock and gross you out at times, but it is essential.

Could not put it down.

Want to know about all the gross (but practical) details of how zombies function? Like how their bowels work now that they have no free will or control over their bodies? Then this book is for you. This was a unique take on the zombie genre, and I loved every minute of it (despite being a bit grossed out).

I liked the book, although I would warn potential readers, if you have a sensitive stomach this is not the book for you. Howey gives a VERY detailed account from the "zombie's" point of view. Each time you think, ok where is this going or how is the author going the end this, howey gives the reader another glimpse at the end. I recommend the book if you'd like to see the other perspective on the typical zombie story.

I almost quit this several times. It's gory, disgusting, bleak beyond almost beyond belief, incredibly depressing and it exhibits a streak of dark humor that I don't care for and have never understood; dead baby jokes, or live babies used as bait, have never made me laugh. I hung in there only because of Mr. Howey's amazing WOOL series.

I'm glad I did.

When the true point of "I, Zombie" finally became clear to me it was a revelation. And that point is one that I strongly agree with.

Turning a pretty basic and fairly repetitive gross-out book into a treatise on how people can treat members not of their tribe was a neat and unexpected treat. And I shed a couple of tears for poor Darnell.

Yes, I was warned by other reviewers that this is not a happy book, that it is a dark and depressing book...they were very right. I wanted to believe that it wouldn't bother me, but it did. I can't think of a person I know that I would recommend it too.
I still like Howey as a writer though and love all of the Wool series.

This a dark, depressing, disgusting book, and I loved every minute! Hugh Howey is one of the best writers today, and completely under appreciated as far as I can tell. The premise: the point of view of people who didn't avoid becoming a zombie, sounds silly at first, but Howey makes it interesting and you find yourself sympathizing with the undead.

I tried this after reading the first five installments f the Wool series, which I thought was very good. I gave his a try. Had to stop reading after 30 pages. Good content, well written, but just kept on reading of another zombies conflicted state. Did not see to be an arch to follow. Expect taunt action in a zombie story. This did not have one.

Munch on its marvelous morbidity. Gnaw on it's ghastly goodness. You'll want to turn away, but you'll read every deliciously dreadful word through your fingers because you have to ...you're driven to know what it's like to BE a zombie.

Bug World: The Short Story

Must read for any (ADULT) Zombie fan.

This book is a different from the usual zombie fare. In I, Zombie, Howey tells a great story but this time it is from the Zombie's point of view. He does a great job of writing the zombies. Each chapter is either the name or someone who has or is about to turn. From the very first page you find out what it would feel like to be or turn into a zombie.

Sometimes it can be a bit hard to read but that is just because it feels so real. One particularly interesting chapter is one poor soul's transformation from being bitten on the foot to trying to decide what to do with his time before he turns. Somehow, you feel sympathy for these characters. That is the best compliment I can give to this book.

There are some dark parts to the book but it makes it even more believable. Yes, there is some violence toward children in this book but you wouldn't think a zombie would distinguish when it's time to eat. It is in no way gratuitous, and there are also moments of heroism as well. It just feels real.

About 20% through the book I texted another zombie fan and told him he had to read this book immediately. It is just that good.

Like my title says, this book is a great concept. Unfortunately I think that this concept and the story would work better as a part of a larger story rather than a stand alone book that focuses on this point. I don't want this review to dissuade you from reading it, I think that the book was still good, just not my cup of tea.

It is an unusual and very captivating zoombie story. Following the thoughts and actions of people who have been zoombified, their memories and feelings. A grotesque ending no doubt. Excellently written. Absolutely recommend this book.

Gross, gross, gross! And I loved every disgusting moment of it! I've always believed being attacked by zombies would be the worst ever. Wrong. Being attacked by zombies and 'living' to remember the attack ... and to be cognizant of being a zombie and all its gag-tastic-ness would be the WORST.

I had very low expectations going in, assuming this story was no different from the other thousands of zombie themed stories on the market. I must say that I was pleasantly, yet grossly shocked at the "other side" this particular book offered. It is worth a read and may actually change the way you look at zombies. I will warn the squeamish... the author goes into great detail on every aspect from feedings to open wound descriptions. Keep in mind that these details are very necessary to illustrate the thin lines between the living and the living dead.

I, Zombie is definitely not your average novel about the zombie apocalypse. This book seduced me from the very first page.. describing in great detail the way that Gloria - just one of the many characters in this book - eats human flesh and how it passes through the hole in her own face. Hugh Howey adequately paints a gory picture of what it could feel like to be a zombie - trapped within your own mind while your body responds only to the smell of the living. This is not a book for the weak hearted or for anyone that is easily offended. It is also not a book for young adults. As much as I enjoy sharing my love of all things zombie related with my 15 year old son, I do not think I would allow him to read this one just yet. For anyone that loves zombies, it is an entirely different look at the world from the zombies perspective. It almost makes you feel sorry for them. If you want to read something truly different, yet still very gruesome, then I, Zombie is for you!

Zombies from the perspective of the zombies ... it was disturbing to find yourself sympathizing with the poor people trapped in the bodies of the living dead while hoping that they would all be destroyed at the same time. I read it fast and it was hard to put down for any length of time.
It did have its light moments. The image of the zombie roller skater gave me a chuckle. I am not a zombie book reader - more of an SF guy - but I did enjoy this read.

Let me start by saying I hate Zombie books! However, since I have read everything else by Hugh, I decided to give I Zombie a try. I absolutely loved this book! Hugh is such an awesome writer! He has taken the well beaten horse of zombies and created a piece of work that is truly original. In I zombie, Hugh has discovered another dimension to zombie story telling. He tells a story from the perspective of the zombie. Better yet, of the soul that is locked in the zombies body. The various perspectives are very interesting and thought provoking! This book is not for the week of stomach because the tortured souls still do zombie stuff and some of it can be tough to swallow. Even though the book have some tough to swallow zombie moments the human experience that surrounds the moments truly captures the human experience (even if the human is a zombie)!

Let me end by saying I hate zombie books! However, this is not your typical zombie book!

This is written from a great perspective. You really feel for the characters even when he has not gone into ridiculous amounts of detail about them as some authors do. Hugh seems to give you just the right amount of information for a smooth and interesting read. I really like his stuff.

What a character study of humankind. However it was a little long. You can only tell the same story over and over so many times before it a little predictable. This being said for the dire hard Zombie fan it give you a glimpse into a world on the other side. I really love the ending.

Great and unique take on the zombie genre. Awesome book. It was rough and mentally unsettling, but these are the things that made it great! A must read if you are a fan of horror, or are looking for a new style of fiction to read and don't mind gore.

I love zombies, from books/comics to video games and movies. This book brought about a new, fresh look on a decayed genre. It has in detail descriptions and made me look at zombies differently. If you like zombies but want something new and fresh, I'd say get this book. I enjoyed the new concept. It is very graphic tough, which is how most zombie stories should be. I liked the freshness, the story and the characters not to mention the writing. I hope Hugh writes another zombie book soon. This one really devoured my brains, and I liked it!

That is all.

The book really is disgusting and horrible... but that makes it so, so good. Other zombie books gloss over the horrible grossness, but this book wallows in it. It also tells the story of characters who are all doomed and you know it. It's the exact opposite of the cheerful World War Z.

First a disclaimer: I like the zombie genre but I'm not crazy for it. Sure, George Romero's flick is a low-budget masterpiece and Dan O'Bannon's Return of the Living Dead was a hoot. 28 Days Later was a kickass reinvention and its sequel, 28 Weeks Later, creeped me out to no end. Zombies are cool and fun but I've gotten jaded by the weird resurgence in the shambling brain-eater phenomenon. Our local October zombie-walk is lots of fun and yes, I watch The Walking Dead, but that's just great TV regardless of genre.

I stumbled across Hugh Howe's I, Zombie a few days ago. For once, those `recommends' on the store actually worked. I sampled the Kindle copy and immediately responded to the work. This was different. A unique take on the zombie genre crafted by a writer with razor sharp chops.

Told entirely from the point of view of the shambling zombies, Howey puts the reader into the minds and decaying hearts of the `bad guys'. And the ride will rip your heart out. The infected people are still conscious but helpless against their zombie urge to eat humans. Bouncing back and forth between the POV of a number of people stumbling around as zombies, Howey performs the impossible as the reader empathizes with the villain. The personal stories of these people trapped and condemned by the zombie epidemic are gut-wrenchingly real and bitingly (sorry) real.

As a writer, I was amazed and slack-jawed at how the writer sustained this high-wire act of tension throughout the entire novel. As a reader I was simply swept up in a brilliant take on a tired convention told by an invigorating, fresh voice. Hugh Howey is a writer to be admired and, to be honest, envied.

Treat yourself and read I, Zombie. Like now.

Brutal, Gruesome, Horrific, Relentless. Imaginative, Creative, Compelling, Fascinating.

I must say that at first I was a bit put off by the highly graphic gory details but once I got into the overall story that became more or less background noise. This is very will written and gives the Zombies a depth to them unseen in any other book or movie I've encountered.

I definitely would have preferred a different conclusion as there really wasn't one, just a hint of things to come really which I suppose could be seen as an endng or indication of a forthcoming sequel.

Overall I highly recommend this book unless you are easily, or even not so easily, squicked by bloody, grisly descriptions of carnage, mutilations, cannibalism, or bodily functions.

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*Small spoiler alert and note to Author*
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A cat?? Really???! That nearly made me put the book down and walk away but then I'm much fonder of animals than I am of humans for the most part. That aside, no zombie would eat a cat with living human meat only steps away. One star shy of five for this and less than completely satisfying ending.

Very well written, clear and concise. I loved the perspective of the Zombies in this book. It downloaded to my phone, not my kindle cloud and that kind of stinks, but the book itself is something i would now buy in paperback to have. Really a great book.

I love Hugh Howey, and I LOVE zombies. However, while I REALLY LIKED I, Zombie, I was not in love with it, like I expected to be. This book is a different take on zombie stories, where it is told from the viewpoint of the zombie, but in an existential manner, not comical or a constant "I need Brains!" way. The only reason I didn't LOVE the book was that the characters, while varied and from different walks of life, the similar one-mindedness of becoming a zombie got a bit old after a while. I am not sure what I would have done differently to spice this book up, but none of the characters were fleshed out enough (excuse the pun) for me to REALLY care about any of them, aside from the one that attempted to save a newborn baby. I suppose ultimately, that this book is ABSOLUTELY worth a read, but it would not be a book that I would stop another book in mid-stream because I am desperate to read. So, again... good, very good... but not great.

I always considered Zombie stories/movies to be unrealistic - their existence and behaviour simply presumed. Hugh's take on the inner workings of (of all things) Zombies certainly changed my mind. If ever there is a hell this would be the way to implement it.

Well written. For what it is, I reckon it's never going to topped.

Of course I already loved this author from reading other works, and I was equally pleased with this novel. He uses a unique approach to the story telling it from the Zombie viewpoint. I also liked the tie to addictions, routines, in our own human lives.

The zombie craze has been on the upswing over the last few years, but this is the first to look at it from the zombie's perspective. The most terrible thing is the thoughts of the people who cannot control their bodies, subject to the violence and horror of new instincts they cannot control, but have all the thoughts and feelings and values of their old selves. Living the nightmare day after day.

I read all the positive reviews of this book, and immediately purchased it. I get what the author is trying to do, but there really is no point to this. It's like boring journal entries from inside the minds of people now turned zombies. It's not exciting. Nothing really happens.

I really enjoyed this from the Zombie point of view. From the bite to the progression of the disease it was a quick and often sad story. To emphasize with the zombies point of view make the read even more interesting and desperate as a reader.

The basic concept behind I, Zombie is: What would it be like to become a zombie but keep your thought processes intact? The people-turned-zombies in this story lose control of their actions but retain their inner voices. They, like the reader, recoil from the gruesome acts they're committing. In the process, the gore and shock of their new situation, together with a near-certainty they won't make it out alive, causes them to self-reflect on their lives. For these characters the only thing left to them is the ability to think.

The book reads as a series of twelve or so distinct first-person vignettes, mostly from the zombie perspective. The author has a brilliant knack for insightful metaphors: A fisherman-turned-zombie realizes his new life is not unlike that on the fishing boat, killing indiscriminately and without real need or thought. As he sees his flesh decay he realizes how we foolishly take healing for granted, and gains a deep regret for his treatment of his wife which will never heal. These philosophical ruminations are really the heart of the book.

There is no plot as such, or overall beginning/middle/end of the story. It's a book that one could easily put down and come back to weeks later, although for me the writing was so compelling I had no choice but to finish in one sitting. With no overall arc or progression to the story, it felt long -- after the first several vignettes you pretty much know what's coming -- and the ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying. I suppose not unlike the ending each of these characters feels.

My biggest issue with the book is philosophical: The zombies are too tough and formidable. There is no basis of physical credibility here, as the zombies who have had muscle flayed from their bodies and bones broken and organs removed, somehow continue to have superhuman strength. One of the zombies is an elderly woman who was bedridden in a rest home, and yet as a zombie she overpowers a teenage boy. Granted the entire zombie premise is unrealistic, but such implausibilities took me a bit out of the story. More importantly I believe philosophically that a zombie on autopilot can be no match for the living. These creatures have human bodies but stumble around with no intelligence or adaptability, and should be easily manipulated by a thinking person. As it is the author seems to be saying that if we succumb to our base instincts and act instinctively we will be stronger in our daily lives, which is a sentiment I don't happen to agree with.

I, Zombie is another masterpiece from the amazing Hugh Howey. I adored this book, and I greatly urge and recommend others to give it a go. It's hard for me to express exactly what this book is, because it is so much more than just a tale about zombies. It's philosophical, emotional, depressing, beautiful, vivid, disturbing, yet so amazing. This book is about the turmoil of the souls trapped, imprisoned in their own bodies. At first I was worried that the book would be repetitive angst, each character moping and rambling on about what they should have done but never did. However, Howey has delivered an amazing amount of diversity between each individual. Some are broken, praying for death with every step. Others relish in their new form, others lament on days past. I will say that this book is not for the squeamish or the easily offended. Nothing in its pages is sugar coated: people die, and they die horribly. The people who are dead seem to exist in a unyielding world of hellish pain. Prepare yourself for an epic roller coaster of emotion.

I really was apprehensive of a zombie themed story, even though I am a huge Howey fan. But, I was completely hooked in the first few pages. I was very shocked at the emotions it brought out it me. I loved it more than the Silo series. Howey is such a brilliant writer when it comes to human nature. The sci-fi angle of his books is just the icing on a delicious cake.

Hugh Howey is the man. His stories are entertaining (main reason I read these days) but also deal with some "real" issues/topics, like post 9/11 NYC, the isolation that is a large city etc. Great zombie story with "heart".