This volume connects American social and religious views with the classic American movie genre of the zombie horror film. For nearly forty years, the films of George A. Romero have presented viewers with hellish visions of our world overrun by flesh-eating ghouls. This study proves that Romero's films, like apocalyptic literature or Dante's Commedia, go beyond the surface experience of repulsion to probe deeper questions of human nature and purpose, often giving a chilling and darkly humorous critique of modern, secular America.
Exhaustingly researched and dotingly detailed, Gospel of the Living Dead claims to give us the most in-depth study of George A. Romeros dead tetralogy. While delving deep into theology, politics, consumerism, racism, sexism, and a handful of other isms, the actual content of the book is shallow. Clocking in at 136 pages, with over 40 pages devoted to synopsis, and an additional 47 pages of notes, its a literary lightweight. With that said, lets tackle the heavy stuff.
The Synopsis.
From beginning to end, the author recounts for us all 4 of the dead movies, as well as the remake of Dawn of The Dead. A few insights are given along the way, but not enough to justify the overall page count. Its a pretty safe bet to assume that if you purchase this book, youve seen the movies at least once, if not 57 times. A shorter synopsis, or a synopsis that focused more on the authors point of view, would have greatly facilitated the transition into analysis.
The Analysis.
Welcome to the age of reason. Zombies are no longer viewed as mindless, shambling corpses. They serve now as a mirror, reflecting startling visions of political unrest, inequality, and ebbing values. At times, they can seem more civil and moral than their living counterpartsand thats where the true terror of the zombie lies. Paffenroths analysis is golden, shedding light into the often dark and chaotic world Romero created, with emphasis on the social criticisms prominent in every film.
The Conclusion.
Well thought out, and surprisingly optimistic, the conclusion of Gospel leaves you with a sense of hope. While the zombie genre has been exploited in every way imaginable, Paffenroth assures us that the cold, lifeless heart of the zombie movement is still going strong, and will continue to do so for years to come.
My Conclusion.
The Synopsis bored me, the inclusion of the 2004 remake of Dawn of The Dead seemed out of place, and Dennis Hoppers memorable line, Zombies man, they creep me out, from Land of the Dead was misquoted as Zombies, man, creep me out. Do I suggest that you buy this book? Absolutely. Why? Because Paffenroth should be hailed as a hero in the horror community. In a genre that often gets overlooked and dummied down, its about (insert your favorite expletive) time a cerebral voice pierced the oppressive silence Hollywood likes to keep the monsters in. This is one book Im sure Ill read time and again. If youre a fan of Romero, or simply a fan of the genre (you know youre at Horror-Web, right?) you owe it to yourself to give it a read.
--------------------
Gospel of the Living Dead, by Kim Paffenroth
2006
Baylor University Press
HB
184 pages
$19.95
Originally review by ZombieBrat on Horror-Web.com
Exhaustingly researched and dotingly detailed, Gospel of the Living Dead claims to give us the most in-depth study of George A. Romeros dead tetralogy. While delving deep into theology, politics, consumerism, racism, sexism, and a handful of other isms, the actual content of the book is shallow. Clocking in at 136 pages, with over 40 pages devoted to synopsis, and an additional 47 pages of notes, its a literary lightweight. With that said, lets tackle the heavy stuff.
The Synopsis.
From beginning to end, the author recounts for us all 4 of the dead movies, as well as the remake of Dawn of The Dead. A few insights are given along the way, but not enough to justify the overall page count. Its a pretty safe bet to assume that if you purchase this book, youve seen the movies at least once, if not 57 times. A shorter synopsis, or a synopsis that focused more on the authors point of view, would have greatly facilitated the transition into analysis.
The Analysis.
Welcome to the age of reason. Zombies are no longer viewed as mindless, shambling corpses. They serve now as a mirror, reflecting startling visions of political unrest, inequality, and ebbing values. At times, they can seem more civil and moral than their living counterpartsand thats where the true terror of the zombie lies. Paffenroths analysis is golden, shedding light into the often dark and chaotic world Romero created, with emphasis on the social criticisms prominent in every film.
The Conclusion.
Well thought out, and surprisingly optimistic, the conclusion of Gospel leaves you with a sense of hope. While the zombie genre has been exploited in every way imaginable, Paffenroth assures us that the cold, lifeless heart of the zombie movement is still going strong, and will continue to do so for years to come.
My Conclusion.
The Synopsis bored me, the inclusion of the 2004 remake of Dawn of The Dead seemed out of place, and Dennis Hoppers memorable line, Zombies man, they creep me out, from Land of the Dead was misquoted as Zombies, man, creep me out. Do I suggest that you buy this book? Absolutely. Why? Because Paffenroth should be hailed as a hero in the horror community. In a genre that often gets overlooked and dummied down, its about (insert your favorite expletive) time a cerebral voice pierced the oppressive silence Hollywood likes to keep the monsters in. This is one book Im sure Ill read time and again. If youre a fan of Romero, or simply a fan of the genre (you know youre at Horror-Web, right?) you owe it to yourself to give it a read.
--------------------
Gospel of the Living Dead, by Kim Paffenroth
2006
Baylor University Press
HB
184 pages
$19.95
Originally review by ZombieBrat on Horror-Web.com
