Feed

The Newsflesh Trilogy, Book 1

By: Mira Grant

Narrated by: Paula Christensen, Jesse Bernstein

Length: 15 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Feed is an electrifying and critically acclaimed novel of a world a half-step from our own that the New York Times calls “Astonishing” a novel of zombies, geeks, politics, social media, and the virus that runs through them all - from New York Times best seller Mira Grant.

The year was 2014. We had cured cancer. We had beat the common cold. But in doing so we created something new, something terrible that no one could stop. The infection spread, virus blocks taking over bodies and minds with one, unstoppable command: Feed.

Now, 20 years after the Rising, Georgia, and Shaun Mason are on the trail of the biggest story of their lives - the dark conspiracy behind the infected. The truth will out, even if it kills them.

More from Mira Grant:

Newsflesh

• Feed
• Deadline
• Blackout
• Feedback
• Rise

©2010 Mira Grant (P)2010 Hachette

Critic reviews

"It's a novel with as much brains as heart, and both are filling and delicious." (The A.V. Club on Feed)

“Feed is a proper thriller with zombies.” (SFX)

"Gripping, thrilling, and brutal... McGuire has crafted a masterpiece of suspense with engaging, appealing characters who conduct a soul-shredding examination of what's true and what's reported." (Publishers Weekly - starred review)

A bit too YA for me, but there's enough there.

Too much of the world just doesn't stand up if you zoom out and try to get all the pieces to fit together, but there was plenty to enjoy here. I don't think I'll be picking up Book 2, which is partly negative because I didn't absolutely love the book, but partly positive in that this book has a definitive and solid ending -- it's not "part 1 of 3" to the point where you're left with a pile of unanswered questions and unclosed plotlines. Some excellent things here: loved the idea of the "Irwins" (named for Steve Irwin) who go do stupid things to zombies on film; liked the website and blog ratings tracking, and the way the website and its blogs were maintained and approached; loved, loved the brother-sister dynamic here. However, while there were some surprises both small and large, there was much to be found both predictable and at times awkward from the midway point forward.

A fun way to revisit this story

I remember buying this book almost 6 years ago and slowly reading it over a years time. getting an audible account I decided to finish the story I finished in 3 days and I must say it was a fun adventure. though I didn't care for the Masons and still what they are doing with them I will be picking up book

It was alright.

There was a security described as Hispanic in the writing. No where in the book was it written he had a stereotypical English-is-my-second-language accent.

a zombie story that's not apocalyptic

I thought this was really original. and quite shocking that it's not a blood and guts apocalyptic novel. there's plenty of suspense. it's more of an action thriller than it really is what we expect from a zombie book. good writing. Good characters. I'll probably read the next one. it's interesting think about a world where zombies became just another obstacle, and an interesting statement on how everything becomes politicized and polarizing in America.

Fast paced action AND media/politics insights

This book bursts out of the gate with action that doesn't stop. From the first scene of the book you are sucked in by its heavily descriptive action scenes that you can't put down/turn off.
This is a zombie novel. But the zombie part of the book is just the framework that the author, Mira Grant (also known as Seanan McGuire) skillfully assembles to hang the rest of the story on. This story is about media, and how the media is changing in our time, and how it might change in the future. It's about how one discerns truth from competing sources of information. It is also about the question of competing truths in politics, and the politics of fear. Also layered in this are the very personal stories of our protagonists, their relationships with each other and family. If that is not enough to put into a book, on top of all of that, there is a mystery to be found out as well.
I found it incredibly engaging from start to finish, and will easily listen to it again. I am happy that the sequel Deadline, is up for the Hugo Award this year (2012). I believe that some of her other material related to the series is also up for a Hugo in a different category.
As to the performance, I enjoyed the actors. While I do not know Seanan personally, I have many close friends that do, and they noted that Paula Christensen's voice and accent is remarkably close to that of the author's.
In conclusion, this is a great book. If you want a fun zombie book, you can read/listen to it on that level. However, if you wish to have fun, but also want to have some issues on deeper levels to consider, then this novel is for you.

Compelling story

If you could sum up Feed in three words, what would they be?

Unsettling, interesting and ironic.

What other book might you compare Feed to and why?

Any zombie-themed book, but with focus more on what differs between them rather than similarities.

What about Paula Christensen and Jesse Bernstein ’s performance did you like?

They managed to capture the essence of the characters.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

News or blood - it's time to Feed.

Hardcore Journalism in a Zombie ridden world..?..!

Any additional comments?

Hardcore Journalists brave a zombie ridden world to cover an election... hmmm... I wasn't super excited about the story line at first, but upon reading it I was COMPLETELY SHOCKED. This book actually made me cry. I didn't like everything about it.. but I enjoyed it because it was different and it surprised me how lost I got into the book.

Not bad but not really good either.

Any additional comments?

I didn't feel the characters or dialogue conveyed enough emotion for me to become attached to the story, for this reason, I am not sure if I will continue onto book 2. The premis of the story had real potential but it didn't complete the points for me.

God concept, and good timing

I enjoyed the concept. The part that was really fun was reading it in 2020 with the pandemic. It really put into humor all we did to get through it :)

Unbelievable

What did you like best about Feed? What did you like least?

I love a good zombie story as much as the next guy, but a virtuous politician is a mythical creature I just can't suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy.