Short, dark, and very scary - like a tipsy 2 am Uber ride home that instead drags you into macabre neighborhoods and makes you question exactly what your ultimate payment will be (and maybe whether somebody slipped a touch of rohypnol in your margarita). Things are OFF. Way OFF.

So. You up for being freaked out and mesmerized for 200 pages?? Do yourself a favor and do NOT read the publisher's blurb or other reviews.

I walked into this book entirely blind and assumed because of the title that I'd see dead people a la World War Z. The only reason I read it was that a trusted GR friend wanted to do a buddy read. I really don't like dystopian books or vampires or zombies, but doing one of those type books by this author? OMG. There is no way I'd do that voluntarily. Robin - it was only our friendship that made me agree.

Boy, was I wrong! I am a total idiot (which you possibly already knew). The only title I was able to associate with Joyce Carol Oates was 'We Were the Mulvaneys,' a book I've never read but somehow pre-judged as a warm, family relationship fest that was far too milk-n-honey for me to take interest. I had no CLUE she was a HORROR writer and also was nominated for a Pulitzer.

Better than that, there is not a single walking dead person in the entire book. No dystopian plague or exorcists in sight. The book puts you in the shoes of a reprehensible character, and because some of the events in his life seem like they were inspired by true events, the reader gawks on - wondering how much of this story line might be real. Because, friends, it is VERY realistic!

October and Halloween are coming up, and while this is a short book, it is so disturbingly creepy that 200 pages is plenty. No rohypnol will allow me to forget ZOMBIE. Excellent and on my Favorites shelf.

Joyce Carol Oates is not only one of the most acclaimed authors of our time. Her more-than-forty novels, novellas, plays, short stories, poetry, and nonfiction works have earned her a National Book Award, two O. Henry Awards, the National Humanities Medal, and a Pulitzer Prize nomination. She’s also an acclaimed horror and suspense author who is a multiple winner of the Bram Stoker Award, a recipient of the World Fantasy Award, and the first female author to receive the Horror Writers Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Her genre works include the novel Zombie (1995), the short story collections The Corn Maiden and Other Nightmares (2011) and Black Dahlia & White Rose (2012), and, under the pseudonym Rosamond Smith, Starr Bright Will Be With You Soon (1999). She also edited American Gothic Tales (1996) and Tales of H. P. Lovecraft (2007). This year she retires from Princeton University, where she’s been teaching since 1978. - Lisa Morton, 2014 Interview

I'm truly ashamed of how much I found myself liking this rather disturbing and sicko book. It's a strange and somewhat uncomfortable feeling.

The reader is almost forced to take a ride along with Quentin as he prowls around in his nondescript 1987 Ford van, hunting for what he calls "specimens," which are actually his unfortunate victims. His schemes, although completely crackpot, also possess a certain element of daring that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

As he goes about his macabre activities, Quentin must constantly be on guard, concealing his dark "proclivities" from his unsuspecting parents, his probation officer, and his psychiatrist. It's a tense and nerve-wracking situation that adds an extra layer of complexity to the story.

The book really makes you question your own moral compass and how far you can be drawn into the mind of a disturbed individual. It's a thought-provoking and somewhat unsettling read that I can't seem to get out of my head.

A true zombie would be mine forever.

He would blindly obey every single command and whim that crossed my mind.

Saying yes master and no master without hesitation.

He would kneel before me, lifting his eyes to me, saying I love you master.

His eyes would be open and clear, yet there would be nothing inside them, seeing nothing but emptiness.

The zombie would pass no judgment, always saying you are good master.

Fuck me in the ass master until I bleed blue guts.

He would beg for his food and he would beg for the oxygen to breathe.

So you may think this is just the diary of a madman, and indeed it is.

But it is so much more, revealed in a rather subtle way.

The antihero, for lack of a better term, is a deeply disturbed young man who dreams of having a slave.

He views a slave as a person who unconditionally loves him.

So he kidnaps young black men to conduct experiments on them and turn them into his personal zombie slaves.

However, things do not go as planned.

Eventually, he falls in lust with a young white boy whom he deems as the perfect specimen, and matters quickly take a turn for the worse.

This book does not pose the question “Why is he like this?”

Oates is not interested in that aspect.

Instead, she crafts a creepy novel about how he manages to get away with his horrific crimes.

At the end, it is casually mentioned that his father was good friends with a “nazi” doctor who performed horrific experiments and even won a Nobel Laureate.

They mourn the loss of a “good man” who contributed so much to society.

The implication here is that our antihero is not just a disturbed individual.

He is not a stand-alone person committing atrocities, and his crimes are not isolated incidents.

Rather, they are indicative of a foundation of cruelty built on classism and systemic racism.

And that is what is truly terrifying.

Audiolibro

This isn't one of those books where you empathize with the protagonist. Clearly, in this case, we're dealing with a psychopath who doesn't even have the charisma of a Hannibal Lecter. He is a dull, insipid, tiresome, banal being. One might even say he's sad, depressed, and desperate. Carol Oates confronts us with his inner life, his intimate thoughts, and his cowardly way of facing life by manipulating and deceiving those who pretend to help him or attempt to do so with more or less interest. His only goal is to create his zombie, his sexual toy, to transform his victim into an automaton capable of satisfying his obsessions, as he is incapable of empathizing with anyone.

The story is raw, stripped of any glimmer of hope and beauty, and in its terrifying way: who will be the next anonymous being to stand out in the eyes of the monster among the crowd and become his target?

The author must be recognized for her ability to create this loathsome character who doesn't leave one indifferent. (7/10)

In addition, the detailed description of the protagonist's psyche makes the reader feel as if they are delving deep into the mind of a truly disturbed individual. The lack of any redeeming qualities in the character adds to the overall sense of unease and horror. The story's pacing is also well-done, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat and constantly wondering what will happen next. Overall, this is a powerful and disturbing audiobook that is not for the faint of heart.

Quentin P is a man from a good family. He is over thirty years old and studies while working as a custodian in the old family house. Quentin was released and entrusted to psychiatric care after a report of molestation of a minor that inexplicably did not receive an appropriate punishment. Or perhaps there is an explanation, and it lies in a realistic exposure of the shortcomings of the American legal system. Quentin represents an enigma to his relatives and therapists. He easily and profitably deceives them and lives completely separated from the world around him. He does not look people in the eye when he comes into contact with them and does everything to avoid it. In reality, Quentin is a serial killer with a morbid and terrifying obsession with lobotomy. The subjects he targets are young men. His objective is to create a zombie out of a human being to use as a slave. And so he tries, acts, pragmatic and cold. A true predator hidden within the human shell.

"Zombie" is written in the first person and Quentin refers to himself using his initials: Q. P. The author has completely immersed herself in this sick self that speaks without mincing words. He talks to himself, hiding nothing. I was very impressed by the chameleon-like talents of Joyce Carol Oates , especially because this is the first book of hers that I have read.

The story is clearly inspired by the events of Jeffrey Dahmer. The character in the book and the real serial killer have a lot in common: a similar family history, a similar physical appearance, and mostly identical habits. The book is particularly disturbing, raw, and scary. It is not a suitable read for everyone. Standing ovation for the author's narrative talents.

Especially, while reading, I had a reflection due to the evident incomprehension on the part of the protagonist/assassin's relatives. The human mind is an unfathomable, mysterious, and in some cases dark place. We all have a sense of it. And yet, being surrounded by others with whom we talk, who look at us and whom we look at, we could never imagine having someone in front of us who has cruel and bestial thoughts. While Quentin endures the presence of others, since he hates the company of his relatives and anyone else, he has terrifying impromptu thoughts. He imagines, with all the calm in the world, killing them. He repeats that they are a burden, that they bother him, and he imagines making them disappear. He does not kill them and does not make them disappear only for logistical reasons. Their life, like their death, means absolutely nothing to him. This is the most disturbing idea in the entire book, despite the descriptions of the various murders committed.

This was a quick read, but that would be a strange reason for me not to connect that well with the book. After all, I've lionized more than a few novellas before, and in fact, I've been keen on anthologies lately.

The stream-of-consciousness style is not my cup of tea, and since many passages employed it, that might be the most likely culprit. I've enjoyed more than a few works with very graphic gore, redolent with nightmarish visions of torture and corruption. When done right, the experience can transcend the base and profane into something sublime. However, only a few rare works manage to achieve this, as most misfire and devolve into gratuitous viciousness and unwitting self-parody. I appreciate how this book held back from being too extreme.

Still, the art here lies fallow, exhausted by the furious and unrelenting appetite of the protagonist. Though there are glimmers of beauty in the book's frantic tedium. I was horrified and triggered by some passages, but overall, for a book with such a promising and controversial premise, the effect on me was more tepid than I expected.

I don't presume to know how the minds of serial killers operate or their thought processes, but for me, the voice of Quentin rings somewhat false. He has shades of Jeffrey Dahmer with his choice of the disenfranchised as his victims and his quest to find the perfect zombie sex slave. However, some of his thoughts and actions seem artificial and forced. Or maybe Oates did perform her due diligence and Quentin's disorganized diary is indeed an accurate peek into the mind of a murderer. Perhaps I simply can't find any joy in what Arendt terms the "banality of evil". In any case, the book just didn't move me as much as I thought it would.

I have read some of Ms. Oates's works before, so I know that this is not indicative of her prodigious talent. I must judge the book on its merit though, and for this, I'm giving it a score of 5/10. I'm bumping it up to 3 stars out of 5 because while I may not recommend it, I shall not dissuade anyone from reading it.

Quentin has a desire and will not hesitate to make it a reality. I think that's the synopsis of Zombi, even longer than necessary. We witness how this boy pursues his wet and violent dreams. What's curious is that, despite what the little angel organizes, there is a part of us that understands it, and that's the merit of the author who presents us with an oppressive, sterile, and aseptic environment, where any hint of spontaneity or emotional expressiveness is suppressed and punished.

Quentin's journey is a complex one, filled with inner turmoil and external constraints. The author skillfully crafts a world that feels both familiar and foreign, making it easy for readers to become immersed in the story.

The complete review can be found at: https://libros-prohibidos.com/zombi/

**Original Article**: This is an irregular shape. It has no specific pattern or symmetry. It is unique in its own way.

**Expanded Article**:

This is an irregular shape.

It stands out from the ordinary because it has no specific pattern or symmetry.

Unlike regular shapes that follow a set of defined rules and have a sense of order, this irregular shape is a chaotic masterpiece.

Each side and angle of it is different, creating a unique and one-of-a-kind form.

It challenges our perception of what a shape should be and forces us to look at it from different perspectives.

The irregularity of this shape gives it a certain charm and神秘感.

It makes us wonder how it came to be and what kind of story it could tell.

Whether it was created by nature or by human hands, this irregular shape is a testament to the beauty and diversity that exists in the world around us.

I generally have a penchant for Oates's dark fiction. Her short stories, in particular, are truly remarkable. However, when it comes to this particular work, I chose not to persevere and finish it. I had intended to read Zombie for a considerable length of time, only to be dismayed when I finally got around to it.

I thought I was well-prepared for what lay ahead when I picked up a book narrated from the perspective of a sexually perverse serial killer who dabbles in icepick lobotomies. After all, a cursory browse through my library would reveal that it takes a great deal more than that to deter me. I had naively assumed that Oates, of all people, would be able to mine that "nothing human is alien" vein and offer the reader some fascinating insights into the disturbing psychology of her narrator.

Regrettably, what the reader is presented with instead is the ranting yet empty diary of an emotionally stunted, sexually-obsessed sociopath who frequently resorts to writing in all caps for emphasis. He even sketches cute pictures of his potential victims to accompany his "romantic" fantasies. (To be honest, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he carried his tools in a Hello Kitty backpack.) What is truly repugnant is that "Q_P_" (as he identifies himself) may just be the most insipid serial killer of all time. Perhaps the novel concludes with a breathtaking flourish, but this reader simply grew weary of spending any more time in such uninteresting company.

In conclusion, my disappointment with Zombie has nothing to do with its graphic content and everything to do with the fact that its protagonist is not only unlikable but as banal as an adolescent girl with a crush. I am fully aware that Oates is capable of writing exquisitely, so what is the purpose of writing so poorly in this instance? If you truly desire to gain an understanding of a serial killer's mind, might I suggest spending your time with Patrick Bateman in Brett Easton Ellis's far superior and pitch-black humorous American Psycho instead?

2.5 Stars

This book is frequently regarded as one of the most perturbing books that people have ever come across. Without a doubt, I have been extremely eager to read it for myself. I can fathom how the disjointed prose could potentially generate an eerie experience for certain readers. However, the narrative style simply failed to resonate with me. It left me with a profound sense of disappointment. The way the story was presented in a fragmented manner did not engage me as I had hoped. I was looking forward to a more coherent and captivating narrative, but unfortunately, this book did not deliver on that front. Despite its reputation, it just did not work for me as a reader.

I’m not going to list all the trigger warnings, but there are a plethora of them.

If you have a weak stomach and can’t endure reading about Jeffrey Dahmer, then this book is most definitely not suitable for you. It is extremely explicit and detailed, and the first person point of view of Quentin P is truly horrifying and unhinged.

Joyce Carol Oates is an amazing writer, there is no doubt about that. However, this particular work delves into some next level dark content. I find myself kind of wishing that I hadn’t read this book, as it was so deeply disturbing.

It has left me with a sense of unease and a feeling that I have peered into the darkest recesses of the human psyche.

Despite its disturbing nature, I can’t deny the power and skill with which it is written.

But perhaps it is a book that should be approached with extreme caution.

This is a very disturbing and creepy story told from the perspective of a psychopath. I have read a lot of horror and thriller stories, and very few of them make me flinch. However, a few scenes in this one really made me cringe! The writing style is unusual, which adds to the overall atmosphere of the story. It's my first time reading something by Joyce Carol Oates, and it's not really what I was expecting. In a good way, I disliked it :-) The ending was a bit abrupt, but it also left me with a sense of unease. Overall, it's a very interesting and thought-provoking read.