This story has nothing to do with zombies. It's about a couple of renegade punks who conduct an online campaign of ridicule against the cash-grab mentality, and get themselves into some trouble.
Dealing with millennial generation alienation and the potential for conflict with society at large, the story has culture-rattling ambitions and a 21st century style.
Described by one reviewer as, "younger and fresher than any I've read this year.", this is a story for those looking for something new.
Let’s build a website and change the world. Let’s go after the powers that be, using a media corporate media has yet to control. If Rock ‘N Roll couldn’t change the world, then maybe the WWW can.
ZombieStop Parade is written in the form of an almost daily journal by one of two main characters, ZombieStopperUno and his childhood friend, Corky, who have created a website with a forum where all are encouraged to express political ideas but with a primary slant aimed at exposing corporate greed and manipulation of the masses.
If you “want lower taxes, powder- puff regulations, wanton speculation, cheap labor, more political lobbying, more mergers and acquisitions, advertising in public schools, corporate logos on every public building, road, bridge, and telephone pole, privatization of every commodity and service, and political indoctrination of youth” this might not be the book for you.
But if “you believe a basic appreciation of the scientific process would enable anyone to understand that starting with a conclusion and concocting a justification for it, is not science. It’s intellectual prostitution.” Then this could be a book you will completely enjoy.
The style of this book is one of sparseness,.as one would expect from a journal. Just the day to day facts is the approach. The plot does not seem to be as important as the ideas expressed but does exist in the form of an FBI investigation into possible criminal activity by ZombieStop’s two creators. Neither government or business wants their house of cards to be rocked by two young upstarts.
There is a subplot in the sense that you might wonder (as I did) if Corky is a real person or if he is only the alter ego of ZombieStopperUno. Your guess is as good as mine and this is part of the fun of the read.
Reviewed by Branch Isole
12/7/2010
ZombieStop Parade
More memoir than novel, a treatise of today's economic conditions with its post 2008-9 recession calamities, this book hones the premise that "leadership toward positive change doesn't come from those in charge."
An exposé of 'the charlatans of twenty first century commerce' this author pens a layman's take on the implosion of the American economy and by extension the global meltdown, using pseudonyms for real and recognizable personas and institutions.
Weaving a tapestry of Dickensian interlocking philosophies the reader's awareness of an economy built upon financial services industry corporations and media institutions (who as investigative opponents), are in fact one in the same regarding a desire to enable the wealthy to become even richer on the backs of consumer hacks.
A story full of circular referencing via, "Alice in Wonderland" collides with "Fight Club" mentality through a narrative first person motif played out as entries in the protagonist's diary leaves little room for a plot development to bloom fully.
A hop scotching exercise keeping up with scantily fleshed out characters while daunting at times, keeps the reader questing for additional information, which hopefully may be found within the next day's entry.
The summation of this story actually takes place in the final 'ten day entries' and could be useful as a movie trailer or book jacket synopsis.
It does not take the reader long to realize that the zombies of the title are those in our society who move, take part in corporate economy and in general let others do their thinking. ZombieStop is a website intended to offer young folk a venue wherein they may voice their disquiet, skepticism and perhaps even expectation for the future.
The journal begun on Jan 1 will continue for some ten months, ending on Oct 31. During the intervening time mainstream media and corporate elitist view ZombieStop with growing cynicism; there is no place in their world for allowing free thinking, or doing anything that smacks of non profit.
The FBI, old relationships, criticism, increasing media, corporate and authority interest bordering on hysteria abound as conspiracy theories are investigated, promulgated and disseminated.
Economic spin doctors abound, what does ZombieStop hope to accomplish, how are they involved in the fire bombing attacks, are they a site inspiring terrorists, what is their agenda.
By October 26 The Jackal seems to have disappeared, somehow ZombieStopperUno has been finagled into producing a book which is none too proud of, he thinks that perhaps a class regarding how to write a book might have been helpful. Corky vows he will not read the book.
ZombieStopperUno hints that a flashy ending will take place once the book is published and notes that the FBI now suspects himself of being the mastermind behind ZombieStop.
All in all I found Buzzell’s book to be a highly readable, fast moving, noteworthy offering filled with enough action to hold attention and keep the reader interested. Humor abounds as writer Buzzell offers a number of analogous characters; Dork Queen, Professor Shillfield, Dynamic America, Seedy Bank and Corporate Divine Right are a few.
Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend Richard Buzzell’s ZombieStop Parade. It is sure to interest the target audience of savvy 20 something readers.
When I began reading this story, I expected zombies, the dead returning to life, panic, mystery and mayhem. The two main characters were not zombies but rather two young adults both pretty keen on inspiring others to stop acting zombies. Their vehicle of choice was an educational website called “ZombiesStop.” Corky, the young creator, much like a defiant child, saw himself as a leader to the ignorant and misinformed. He still preferred staying in the background and let his friend meet the media and answer the questions. Perhaps, Corky’s rebellion against big business was a product of too much passion, pouring over from his teenage past of having too much…too soon. There ensued a power struggle between Corky, his best friend, ZombieStopUno, a female FBI agent by the name of Sike, and a crooked CEO who was thought to be involved in money laundering and arson. This story was written in diary form going from one day’s events to the next. It was easy to follow and written with excellent English and a mastery of comedic names for the characters involved.
ZombieStop Parade would be a great read for college students who are just now beginning to decide on their future careers and how their own belief system can help or defeat them. The mental lift and the moral glow from birthing and debating new ideas can add up to the most exhilarating satisfaction in the world. This work of art is a semi-factual debate on the haves and have-nots. It is about big business, greed and the insurmountable need of humans to excel anyway they can. Money does make the world go around. From every new website comes a spiritual awakening monetarily or mentally. It is usually a surprise but an insight we would have stumbled on sooner or later in our lives. But, before we can recognize insights, we must be open to affirm we are of value, talented enough and naïve enough to rewrite our lives and be of service to others. In this world there are leaders and followers, winners and losers. It is good to turn our resources into gifts for others. Their diary soon became a book and Corky’s friend stepped out into the limelight. Corky held himself afar…perhaps being satisfied at last his friend was at last beginning his own accent out into the arena of the world. It is thought nothing changes the human condition over the years like a book of new ideas. This book is about debate solely - -us against the corporate mentality. Smooth, interesting read.
Welcome to Authorsden Richard.
The bulk of the collection is eight short stories that are set in yesteryear. The compilation is filled out with four entertaining fantasy pieces and three poems.
'Coruscated Confabulations' is a collection of stories and experiences, most of which took place in prior decades. They are taken from or based upon real events, with a certain admixture of fictional embellishments.
