Breathers: A Zombie's Lament

Breathers: A Zombie's Lament
Genre: RomZomCom

By S.G. Browne


Release Date: March 3rd 2009










     Everyone who decides to make a movie or write a book about zombies inevitably has their own ideas about what a zombie is.  Purists among the ever growing fan base will insist that, to actually qualify as being a "zombie", it has to meet certain criteria:

1) They are mindless, base animals that exist only to devour.
2) Though animated once again, they are d-e-a-d, DEAD!
3) A bite from one transmits the "disease" to the victim, eventually making them into a new zombie.

     There are other points that could be argued, of course, but I think all can agree, those are the big three.  In these people's opinions, failing to meet these criteria means you are out.  Sorry 28 Days Later.  Sorry Dead Snow.  Sorry any of a number of other popular "zombie" films and books.  I admit that, individual quality aside, I tend to agree with the purists.  However, for zombie week, I am going to adopt the other perspective; that any of a number of attributes can make a zombie.  It is up to the author.

     I say all that because this inclusionist mindset is critical to qualify today's book, Breathers: A Zombie's Lament, as zombie fiction.  The author says they are zombies, so (for today at least) they are.

     Breathers follows Andy Werner.  After dying in a car crash, Werner revives to find that, despite a severely mangled body and a newly formed speech impediment (due to a more or less destroyed lower jaw), he is still kicking, despite not actually being alive.

     The problem becomes that, in this society, zombies are discriminated against, to the point of being seen as lower life forms.  They are thinking, feeling creatures, yet they are treated like dogs.  Whether being forced to attend Zombie Support Groups aimed at training him not to eat people, or being harassed and attacked in broad daylight, Andy has a lot on his plate.  Then, you add the fact that he is quickly falling in love with Rita, fellow zombie and support group member.

     One day Andy, Rita and some friends meet Ray, rogue zombie and anarchist who lives deliberately off the grid.  Ray and his cans of venison set off a series of events that will change everyone in the support group, and their outlook, forever.  I could go into more detail, but I don't want to give away important plot points.  Well thought out though the story may be, I found them pretty predictable.  Still, they were enjoyable, and it is not up to me to spoil them.

     S.G. Browne has written a very sweet and funny book, despite the usually horrific nature of the source material.  He isn't so much working in "zombie horror", though, as he is writing a RomZomCom (Romantic Zombie Comedy for the layperson).  He foregoes the frightening aspects almost entirely in order to write an effective allegory of racism and prejudice in society.

     The dialogue doesn't exactly "sparkle".  Te plot doesn't do much to surprise.  This is a first novel for Browne, and it shows.  That does not mean it is bad or unenjoyable, however.  Quite the opposite.  One place where Browne really impressed me was how well he developed characters.  This is particularly true of our anti-hero, Andy.  Perhaps surprisingly (perhaps not), character development is one of the hardest things for a writer to perfect, and Browne has done a nice job.

     Likewise, the plot felt complete.  No glaring holes jumped out to distract me from the read.  He didn't waste time on grossly unnecessary details, but didn't leave blank spots either.  He is a very balanced writer, and is a pleasure to read.

     I know I haven't discussed a lot in detail, but again, I fear spoiling the plot.  It is, I think, enough to say this.  Although this isn't going to top any of my lists, and if you aren't too much of a "Puritan" Zombiephile, Breathers will make for a nice read.

Concept: 4 out of 5
Execution: 3.5 out of 5
Overall Rating: 3.25 out of 5