Of all the
ARCs I picked up at
Midwinter this year, Generation Dead by
Daniel Waters intrigued me the most, so I read it first when the box o' goodies I'd sent myself arrived. Happily, I was not disappointed.
From the ARC back jacket:
All over the country, a strange phenomenon is occurring. Some teenagers who die aren't staying dead. Termed "living impaired" or "differently biotic," they are doing their best to fit into a society that doesn't want them
Fitting in is hard enough when you don't have the look or attitude, but when almost everyone else is alive and you're not, it's close to impossible. The kids at Oakvale High don't want to take classes or eat in the cafeteria next to someone who isn't breathing. And there are no laws to protect the differently biotic from the people who want them to disappear - for good.
With her pale skin and goth wardrobe, Phoebe has never run with the popular crows. But no one can believe it when she falls for Tommy Williams, the leader of hte dead kids. ot her best friend, Margi, whose fear of the differently biotic is deeply rooted in guilt over the past. And especially not her neighbor, Adam, the star of the football team. Recently, Adam has realized that his feelings for Phoebe run much deeper than just friendship. He would do anything for her, but what if protecting Tommy is the one thing that would make her happy?
The characters in this book are very well developed, and each voice is unique and resonant. There are a number of instances of dialog free from "said so-and-so"s and there's no need - it's always clear who is speaking. Individuals have distinct senses of humor (and good ones), something that feels rare in a coming of age novel.
It's no secret that I'm a big fan of zombies. These zombies are quite different from most, though, in that they are literally just the walking (and talking and going to school) dead. They aren't hungry for brains or violent at all. They are unique individuals just as the trad (traditionally biotic) characters are, with some being smarter than average, some faster, and so forth.
The zombies in Generation Dead could represent a number of other populations that aren't universally welcomed in mainstream high school/society: special education students, immigrants, non-heterosexuals, or any of about a dozen other groups I could think of. I think that the effect is striking without knocking you over the head. Well done, Mr. Waters.
While I was reading this book, I was reminded a few times of
Heathers, and as it turns out, the screenwriter of Heathers just happens to be named Daniel Waters. I haven't found positive confirmation online that it's the same individual, but I have to think that it is.
I highly recommend you find yourself a copy of
Generation Dead as soon as you can. I've got a few people waiting to read my copy of the ARC, but if you'd like to be added to my lending list, leave me a comment. It's only January but I have no doubt that this book will remain on my faves list all year and longer.
Check out Tommy's (hopefully soon-to-be-posted-to) blog at
mysocalledundeath.blogspot.com and do not miss reading Generation Dead when
Hyperion releases it this spring.
Labels: ALA Midwinter 2008, awesomeness, books, daniel waters, generation dead, heathers, teen literature, yalit
