BOOK REVIEW: Zombie Eye for the Living Guy
Zombie Eye for the Living Guy
By J. M. Hewitt
Photographs by Alexander Colby
Reviewed by Rory Abel
Zombies are here! Zombies are everywhere! Zombies are… sexy?
In 2003 Max Brooks introduced us to “The Zombie Survival Guide.” This tome approached the idea of how to survive in a zombie apocalypse with such dry, self-seriousness that instead of being boring it was hilarious. Now 9 years later, J.M. Hewitt and Alexander Colby have taken a similar approach to zombie sex appeal with likewise excellent results. ”Zombie Eye for the Living Guy” is a hilarious how-to book for those wannabe zombies out there who recognize the allure of the undead.
Hewitt and Colby posit a world in which not only are zombies everywhere, and an accepted part of life, but also one in which their sex appeal is undeniable. The book sets out to provide a step-by-step guide to capturing and replicating that appeal for yourself, without having to die and return from the grave. It’s covers the important steps you must take, such as identifying just what kind of zombie enthusiast you are: zombie imitator, drag zombie or transzombie, before moving on to becoming a full-on style guide, which covers everything from grooming, clothing, home décor and diet. The final step relate back to that first choice the book asked you to make, what kind of enthusiast you are and covers the lifestyle choices that decision will result in.
I have never read a self-help or style guide before so I can’t attest to how accurate the book captures that style and honestly I don’t think it really matters. Because I cannot stress just how funny this book actually is. The writings dry self-awareness and replication of terminology associated with the gay lifestyle combine to wonderful effect. There’s a good laugh to be had on every page. The text is complimented with photos that just continue the feel of the book as self-help guide. Sometimes they’re sex and alluring (if you have a thing for undead corpses) and sometimes they’re they dry expository images used to explain a process. They always underscore the tone of the book, making the text just that much funnier.
This is a wonderful, hilarious read that horror fans will get a real kick out. It captures that lighting in a bottle that first made The Zombie Survival Guide so funny and spins it off in a unique and unexpected direction. I never expected I would be reading a book on zombie fashion and style tips but now I’m glad I did.
