Friday, May 6, 2011

Is zombie romance possible?

"They said it couldn't be done," Lori Perkins states in her introduction for Hungry for Your Love: An Anthology of Zombie Romance. Only, didn't S.G. Browne already touched on this subject in his novel, Breathers? Either way, Perkins compiled a collection of short stories from well known writers - such as Francesca Lia Block and Brian Keene - that is worth the read.

The stories range from silly and cute to erotic and weird to are you kidding me?  Because there are so many stories I'd have to review in order to get the full on idea, I'd like to just point out some of my favorites. And not review them. I do a horrible job at reviewing things like this. I'm complaining. Perhaps for filler.

Francesca Lia Block's (The Frenzy, Open Letter to Quiet Light) "Revenants Anonymous" introduces us to Casey, whose eye is set on Ed - both of which are revenants attempting to fight their natural urges of feasting on flesh by going to Revenants Anonymous meetings. At times, it's hard to tell whether these are zombies, or the aftermath of suicides. They're people attempting recreate a humanistic emotion, to feel - well - alive again.

In "Captive Hearts," Brian Keene (Dead Sea, A Gathering of Crows) thrusts us into a devoted marriage, in which the wife stands by her husband no matter the circumstances. Whereas, Stacey Graham gives us a insight to zombie love at first sight with her cutesy story, "Eye of the Beholder." Regina Riley's (Pistons and PistolsFlirting With Death) "Undying Love," love stands the test of time, death and undeath - mixed in with some old fashion black magic.

I suppose if I had to choose the strangest - probably most disturbing - piece in the anthology, it would be "Julia Brainchild" - get the lame pun of a title? - by Lois H. Gresh (The Science of SupervillainsEldritch Evolutions) in which an incestuous zombie relationship takes place on a live cooking show.

All in all, cute, depressing or disgusting, Hungry for Your Love is a must for fans of the undead. Until next time, keep on huntin'.

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