The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor

By: Robert Kirkman, Jay Bonansinga

Narrated by: Fred Berman

Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Following in the footsteps of the New York Times best-selling graphic novels and the record-breaking new television show, this debut novel in a trilogy of original Walking Dead books chronicles the back story of the comic book series' greatest villain, The Governor.

In the Walking Dead universe, there is no greater villain than The Governor. The despot who runs the walled-off town of Woodbury, he has his own sick sense of justice: whether it’s forcing prisoners to battle zombies in an arena for the townspeople’s amusement, or chopping off the appendages of those who cross him. The Governor was voted “Villain of the Year” by Wizard magazine the year he debuted, and his story arc was the most controversial arc in the history of The Walking Dead comic book series. Now, for the first time, fans of The Walking Dead will discover how The Governor became the man he is, and what drove him to such extremes.

©2011 Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“If the comic book writer Robert Kirkman were a superhero, his name might be the Midas Touch.” ( The New York Times)

Great book

I was not sure how the book would be, but it was great. I loved every minute of it.

Only for hardcore fans.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Unfortunately this book does not add any kind of meaningful depth to the Governor character on AMC's The Walking Dead television series. In a way this book detracts from the character's legacy and his excellent portrayal by David Morissey. Your appreciation of this book will depend on your willingness to accept the far-fetched character developments that occur near the end of this book. Personally I found them to be unconvincing and uninteresting.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The zombie action in the first 2/3 of this book is actually pretty great, hence the three-star review. I was suitably engaged with the characters and interested in their well-being. Unfortunately I skipped the final four chapters because I just did not care about any of the characters after a pivotal event towards the end of the novel.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Fred Berman does a pretty good job of voicing the different characters and giving them personality. His tone is suitably bleak and disaffected to fit the atmosphere of the television show. I thought he could improve on his Southern accents and speed up his pace a bit.

Do you think The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I know that this book has a follow-up, but I won't be reading it. I am already convinced that the Governor in the TV show is not the same person I read about in this novel.

Any additional comments?

I was really disappointed to hear the terms "retard" and "retarded" used so often and in so crude a manner throughout this book. It was very distracting and took away from the overall experience.

Spellbinding Origin of Philip Blake

Would you consider the audio edition of The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor to be better than the print version?

Yes - Fred Berman really brought the words to life. Enjoyed it very much.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Brian Blake - His character evolution and

What does Fred Berman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Fred Berman does a splendid job of breathing life into the characters and really making you feel for them in their situations.

If you could rename The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor, what would you call it?

The Walking Dead: Origin of The Govenor

Any additional comments?

Loved this book so much that I'm listening to The Walking Dead: Road to Woodbury

I really liked this book

easy listen, I really liked the narrator, he kept you involved in the story the entire time.

This book was just ok.

I am a huge fan of the comics and the show. I thought it was great to hear a different perspective of the governor. My complaint is that the dialogue and writing style is just not great. There was a lot of unnecessary descriptive words that became repetitive and distracting to the story. When it would be OK to say "a look of range came across his face" it would be more like "a look of rage, that of a bull ready to charge came over his face causing his eyes to glaze over like a crimson lake". It was way drawn out ridiculous descriptions for everything. The drawn out descriptions are good if they help you get a better picture but this was not the case in this novel.

Very Good Book!!!

What made the experience of listening to The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor the most enjoyable?

The story is very fluid, and the characters are extremely well developed. At different times I was cheering for success and failure for all of the characters. The storyline is extremely real in the sense that the characters decisions are similar to what I would do in their situation.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor?

The interaction that the group has with the 'others' is extremely intense and I was on the edge of my seat.

Have you listened to any of Fred Berman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first Fred Berman book, but I will definitely listen to more.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The end is very good and sets the table for the next chapter in their lives.

Any additional comments?

Wonderful book and wonderful performance!!!

Excellent

This is a must read for any walking dead fan!! Narrator also does a great job.

The Governor

Great story of how the Governor got to Woodbury with some interesting twists. If you're a fan of TV show The Walking Dead I'd definitely recommend this book.

I thought the governor was named Phillip.. SPOILER

He is not. At least not in this book. In the show that's a different story... there were a hundred small issues with the story, as other reviews mention, Ford S10, Harley Radiators, Cordite, cordite, cordite lol but the thing that bothered me most and nearly ruined it for me is that in the show the governor is named Phillip and they make it clear he is Phillip and that Penny is his daughter by use of his creepy journal and the photo of him and his wife and daughter prior to the dead walking. Then comes this book. SPOILER** Written up untill the last hour mostly from Phillip's perspective. Until they kill him and we discover the governor is somehow Brian.. Although I'm glad the sadistic murderous rapist isn't the main protagonist(I was so repulsed by his actions i almost quit listening. This was going to be my final read in the series despite my LOVE of TWD simply because he was just too evil and made me feel sick).


The fact is that there is no way to throw in that plot twist without undermining the Show. Unless Brian and Phillip were identical twins it doesn't work and even then it wouldn't work.



If it were not for these issues I'd have been utterly hooked. started slow. ended with a bang. albeit with some GLARING issues

loved it

always wanted to listen or read the walking dead books I've been a fan since day one of the shows