In "Raising Stony Mayhall," Daryl Gregory introduces a unique take on zombie fiction, exploring themes of identity, discrimination, and societal boundaries. The story follows a family who discovers a zombie baby in a snowy field after a government-suppressed outbreak, leading to the upbringing of Stony Mayhall. As Stony grows, he becomes involved in the underground world of zombies and faces questions about what it means to be alive and human. The novel blends elements of philosophy, satire, and theology, offering a fresh perspective on the zombie genre with a mix of humor and depth.
The book delves into the complexities of the zombie world, where the undead struggle for acceptance and understanding amidst political intrigue and societal challenges. Through Stony's journey, readers are taken on a thought-provoking exploration of humanity, compassion, and the blurred lines between the living and the dead. With a mix of mordant wit, compassion, and universe-building, Gregory weaves a narrative that goes beyond traditional zombie tropes, offering a compelling and heartfelt story that lingers in the mind long after the final page.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Medium content warnings are warranted due to themes of mortality, persecution of the undead, and elements of torture.
From The Publisher:
From award-winning author Daryl Gregory, whom Library Journal called "[a] bright new voice of the twenty-first century," comes a new breed of zombie novel-a surprisingly funny, vividly frightening, and ultimately deeply moving story of self-discovery and family love.
In 1968, after the first zombie outbreak, Wanda Mayhall and her three young daughters discover the body of a teenage mother during a snowstorm. Wrapped in the woman's arms is a baby, stone-cold, not breathing, and without a pulse. But then his eyes open and look up at Wanda-and he begins to move.
The family hides the child-whom they name Stony-rather than turn him over to authorities that would destroy him. Against all scientific reason, the undead boy begins to grow. For years his adoptive mother and sisters manage to keep his existence a secret-until one terrifying night when Stony is forced to run and he learns that he is not the only living dead boy left in the world.
Ratings (4)
Loved It (3) | |
It Was OK (1) |
Reader Stats (7):
Read It (4) | |
Want To Read (3) |
1 comment(s)
Really enjoyed this. Believable in a weird way (yes, it's another zombie apocalypse book) and not so loopy that it becomes eye-roll worthy (George Romero's
Dawn of the Dead is referred to as "the Romero documentary"). The magical elements at the end kind of stretched the believability of it (as if a zombie baby that somehow grows up wasn't already stretching believability) but all in all a very enjoyable read.
What can you read after
Raising Stony Mayhall?
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