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Dying to Live By Kim Paffenroth
reviewed by Wayne Simmons, author of the forthcoming 'Drop Dead Gorgeous.'
Author: Kim Paffenroth
Publisher: Permuted Press
When a theologian writes a zombie novel, it’s quite likely to be
the result of an apocalypse as opposed to anything fictional. A fiery-tongued
record of a zombie-infested Armageddon, penned with the blood of demons.
Such was my (admittedly unhealthy) view before encountering the bizarre
enigma that is Kim Paffenroth. As both zealous zombie fan and committed
christian, Kim lives on the edge of reason itself. Penning the likes of
The Gospel Of The Living Dead (which, before you ask, wasn’t discovered
at Nag Hammadi along with the Gospel of Thomas) in between marking theological
papers, this is one professor who screams eccentricity.
Or innovation.
Or both…
… Or maybe it isn’t so insane for a theological professor
to be sporting an interest in the undead. Jesus H Christ himself (I often
wondered what the ‘H’ stood for?) has often been hailed, mainly
by the heathen, as the most eloquent zombie to have ever (alledgedly)
walked the earth. God’s own debut novel, The Bible, is riddled full
of violence, gore, witchcraft, resurrections and apocalypses aplenty.
So why shouldn’t the good Professor get some academic jollies from
Headshot Heaven alongside his more (ahem) canonical pursuits?
With all this in mind, I found myself approaching Dying To Live (D2L to
the kidz) with some caution, it must be said, sizing up to my intrigue.
Sure, I was willing to give this book a swing, but what could a zombie-loving-godly-academic
say to me about my life, I wondered? And would I enjoy it?
D2L (I love acronyms with numbers) tells the story of Jonah Caine, survivor
of your fairly traditional zombie apocalypse in your fairly traditional
US of A. As something of a loner, Jonah has survived on the road, pillaging,
guiltily, where he can. Trying to maintain something of a morality in
a lawless world where the dead wonder freely, ever threatening the hugely
outnumbered living.
As could be predicted, Jonah soon finds himself in the company of a bizarrely
communal group of survivors holed up in a museum. All too quickly, it
must be noted, Jonah is welcomed into their happy-clappy sanctuary of
free hugs and biscuits, building an almost instantaneous rapport with
key figures Jack (token-alpha-male-provider-man), Tanya (token-top-totty-with-hard-exterior),
Popcorn (token-feral-kid) and Milton (anything-but-token-leader). The
‘Why God?’s are rolled out in light, theological debate, perhaps
inspired by modern day miracle-worker, Milton, and his quiet, unassuming
philosophies. As are the group’s dangerous, yet entertaining initiation,
leading to much-loved expeditions back into the wilds of Undead-ville
and gun-toting/ head-hacking aplenty. Before long, more survivors are
welcomed into the ever-embracing arms of the museum, going through what
becomes the D2L ritual of tell-your-tale-and-cry-a-little before everyone
indulges in yet another group hug.
Were this a film, the music would drop a little at this point, ushering
in the clearly-labelled bad guys of D2L with their bad talk and marrow-sucking
toothy grins. Our blissful heroes fall prey to their nasty, campfire-drinking,
bare-chested evil, leading to a dramatic turn in fortunes. Soon, the music
swells to an almighty crescendo of a climax involving everyone’s
favourite amoral - The Living Dead TM.
And you see, for me that’s the main problem with Dying To Live.
Paffenroth’s novel rolls out a very black-and-white cast. The Good
Guys are so good that I almost feel like punching them all. Snapping them
out of their touchy-feely stupor, awakening them to the fact that there’s
a world and several million people (literally) crumbling around them.
The Bad Guys, on the other hand, are so bad that I just couldn’t
feel anything for them. No hate. No pity. No anger. Nothing. They were
but a mob of pirate-like clowns, dancing and yahooing around a campfire.
Shooting their pistols in the air, their shaved heads and tattoos clearly
intended as a badge of honour for their ungodly pursuits (no offence to
those of us with shaved heads and tattoos, of course!). To truly feel
for any of these characters, and the undeniably heinous experiences they
go through, I would have needed to feel more of a connection with the
cast.
But, I didn’t…
D2L is without a doubt, an exceptionally well-told zombie tale. It boasts
some of the best choreographed scenes of action and gore I’ve ever
read in a zombie novel, and I’ve read many. There are innovative
ideas fleshed out (there goes that pun again) that will have you equally
awed and concerned by the wonderful mind that is Kim Paffenroth, such
is the brutality and beauty of his writing. You’ll be hooked in
by the exquisitely readable narration, leaving you hanging on a cliffhanger
at the end of each chapter, rabid for more. The fact that I had finished
the book in a mere three sittings says more about its quality than its
quantity.
This is a Permuted Press book through and through. Although nothing short
of divine to most fanboys (and girls), D2L is three small loaves short
of a miracle for this hellbound hack.