Ever since Stephanie Myers’ soppy Twilight came on the scene, there’s been a boom in supernatural romance catering for teenaged girls – namely of the fanged variety. And while there will be many who compare Waters’ love story to Myers’ (it is, essentially, a tortured romance set against a high school backdrop), it’ll be a great shame. Because – gasp! – Generation Dead (Hyperion Books, 2008, ISBN: 978-1-84738-372-3) is actually a hell of a lot better.
Like the Tim Burton of teen literature, it’s sweet, odd and has more than a hint of the gothic flowing through its undead veins. Take for example the object of Phoebe’s desire; Tommy Williams is like a more vocal incarnation of Edward Scissorhands than the snarling, in-your-face Edward Cullen. He’s a gentle, thoughtful soul. And unlike the zombies featuring in Romero’s movies, he’s more likely to be writing a blog as opposed to getting the munchies for some brains.
These Aren't Romero's Zombies.
The zombies, you see, are fragile, broken souls, yearning to be what they once were. Some of them communicate better than others, and have a degree of mobility to rival healthy teenagers – others shuffle through life, struggling to find their place in society. It’s pretty heartrending stuff, although Waters’ dialogue adds enough warmth and humour, giving air to the perhaps heavy themes present.
Of course, nobody understands Phoebe and Tommy’s blossoming romance – least of all themselves. Complicating the scenario, but sticking by our heroine are best mates Adam and Margie. Adam is a footballer, who also harbours a clique-defying love for the rather Gothic Phoebe. While Margie, on the other hand, is having a tough time watching her former friend Collette shamble through life as one of the recently-deceased. Trouble exists in the form of Pete Martinsburg, a teenager haunted by the absolute death of his girlfriend, and who firmly believes that all zombies should be destroyed.
Horror Story With Heart.
Most importantly, and what sets Generation Dead apart from other supernatural romance, is that it uses its premise to explore the universal themes of discrimination and prejudice, with the zombies being the obvious minority in the narrative. The novel is also peppered with politically-collect terms for the undead, like “differently biotic”, as well as slurs like “dead head” -- the novels way of replicating terms used for minorities today, derogatory or PC.
Ironically, Waters’ pacing is a bit slow in certain places, but fortunately, it gains momentum in the second half, finishing on a fascinating conclusion. Basically, you’ll be hungry for the second in the series, Kiss of Life, which is out now.
Fascinating, and beautifully told, Generation Dead won’t just appeal to the Twilight crowd, but hopefully adult readers as well. A dark, and thought provoking tale.
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