Raising Stony Mayhall

By: Daryl Gregory

Narrated by: David Marantz

Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

From award-winning author Daryl Gregory, whom Library Journal called "[a] bright new voice of the 21st century", comes a new breed of zombie novel - a surprisingly funny, vividly frightening, and ultimately deeply moving story of self-discovery and family love.

In 1968, after the first zombie outbreak, Wanda Mayhall and her three young daughters discover the body of a teenage mother during a snowstorm. Wrapped in the woman's arms is a baby - stone-cold, not breathing, and without a pulse. But then his eyes open and look up at Wanda, and he begins to move.The family hides the child - whom they name Stony - rather than turn him over to authorities who would destroy him.

Against all scientific reason, the undead boy begins to grow. For years, his adoptive mother and sisters manage to keep his existence a secret - until one terrifying night when Stony is forced to run, and he learns that he is not the only living dead boy left in the world.

©2011 Daryl Gregory (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Stony [is] the best zombie character ever....More than many novelists, Gregory's work not only withstands but grows richer with re-readings and sustained attention." (SF Signal)

"Raising Stony Mayhall should add to Daryl Gregory's reputation as a dazzling innovator....a fast-paced, exciting narrative laced with both humor and moments of pathos." (Locus)

"Part superhero fiction, part zombie horror story, and part supernatural thriller, this luminous and compelling tale deserves a wide readership beyond genre fans. Highly recommended." (Library Journal)

Pleasantly Suprised

I normally don't read books about Zombies. But something about this story compelled me to read it anyway.
Yeah. It's about zombies, and breathers. But it's more than that. It just a downright good story.

It's Grrrrrreat!

Where does Raising Stony Mayhall rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is by far the best zombie story I have read or seen depicted in movie/TV. Gets at zombie issues that all of us have wondered about but were afraid to ask (like do/can zombies have sexual urges). And it is also one of the best overall fiction stories I have heard, regardless of subject. The narration is impeccable as well. My only regret is that it was not longer.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

A Most Unexpected Living Dead Experience

An unusual zombie, 'Differently Living' story, indeed. What does it mean to be human? To be a person? Stony helps us think about these things. This is not your typical zombies eating flesh and heroes/heroines try desperately to survive... Not your Walking Dead (which I love anyway)... Could a zombie baby grow iPhone? Grow at all? How does a dead person live? What's life anyway? Read this book and think about it....

You can't help but LOVE Stony :)

Where does Raising Stony Mayhall rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the good ones, and i've listened to a lot of UF/Sci Fi, especially Zombie and dystopian``

Who was your favorite character and why?

Stony of course

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

Yes, the whole book was good, but the end was very touching

It gets better as you go along

‘Raising Stony Mayhall’ is an original take on the Zombie genre. Looking for blood and guts, then this probably isn’t the book for you, that being said it’s a great story told from the point of a zombie child who is able to grow up like a normal child. The story runs through this childhood until he becomes an adult and takes the listener through the problem these misunderstood zombies must go through. Sometimes funny, sometimes heartfelt and sometimes a little heard pounding this story has a little bit for everyone and I found myself liking it more and more as I got further into the story.

Mr. Marantz does a wonderful job adding to the story and bringing the characters to life. His pacing and voices are great.

Thumbs up for "Raising Stony Mayhill"

Where does Raising Stony Mayhall rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Raising Stony Mayhill ranks among the best audiobooks I've downloaded to date. There were no audio problems or complications post-download. I was surprised by how effortlessly I was sucked in to the storyline. I liked this rendition of the book as much as I enjoyed the "Odd Thomas" performances.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Raising Stony Mayhall?

One of the most memorable moments I encountered was when Stony off-handedly described himself as having black gums & toenails. I would normally find that to be an important detail, but I suppose this was crafted to suggest that the love of one's family conquers any malady; even being a member of the LD society....

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

Great vocal inflection; when in character, I was able to believe that the Stony was relating the story from a first-hand viewpoint.

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

I'm a guy - emotions make one weak....

Any additional comments?

Great performance overall. I highly recommend this book on the basis of the more or less "original" storyline as well as the reading by David Marantz.

Not a zombie fan but this was good!

Would you listen to Raising Stony Mayhall again? Why?

I would read it again if I didn't have such a long list of books I want to read for the first time. However, I can see me re-visiting it again in 10 years.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked how the author made zombies, I mean the living dead, seem plausible. It is easy to relate the themes of discrimination and misunderstanding as experienced by the misunderstood LD, to what happens in our world.

What about David Marantz’s performance did you like?

David's voice and inflections added to the listening experience. Easy listening.

Any additional comments?

This was a fun read. I am a nonfiction fan who enjoys science, history and biography, but decided to try something completely different. I found myself smiling as I listened. I think the author must have had a fun time writing this. My friends can't believe I'm reading and ENJOYING a zombie book. I've recommended it to several friends and can't wait to see if they like it as much as I did.

Decidedly different take on the differently living

I thoroughly enjoyed this decidedly different zombie novel. The story was highly engaging, telling the tale of a world in which a zombie plague was unleashed but snuffed out years earlier. The remnant population of “LDs” (Living Dead, or “differently living”) has gone underground to avoid the reprisals of the intolerant dominant society of “breathers.” As the years stretch into decades and their undying bodies deteriorate from wear and tear that cannot be repaired, many of the LDs become philosophical, if not downright mystical, while others become increasingly militant.

That there can be two philosophically opposed camps of zombies is made possible by slightly tweaking traditional zombie lore. In this world, those infected by a zombie bite only go crazy and eat humans for a febrile 24 hours. Once the fever is gone, they are no longer living, but neither are they dangerous.

The protagonist, Stony, is of course a zombie but the circumstances of his arrival in this world are so unusual even other zombies find it hard to believe. He is different and wonders whether he will ever find another person who truly understands who and what he is. The book follows his life, first as he lives an Anne-Frank-like existence hidden by sympathetic “breathers” and then as he becomes a champion of what can only be called zombie civil rights. Because I think young adults are interested in these themes and also because Stony is a young adult for a good portion of the book, I think it can be classified as a young adult novel (not a bad thing).

Lest you think the book is all heavy thoughts, there is plenty of zombie mayhem, guts and gore but there was an equal amount of character building, plenty of funny bits, and just enough sentimentality to make it fun and interesting. I listened to it as an audio book read by David Marantz, who did an excellent job narrating.

Touching

If you are looking for a zombie novel that does NOT follow the whole "a band of rag-tag survivors travels from place to place defending themselves from the walking dead" plotline, then give Raising Stony Mayhall a try.

This story is more about relationships (specifically Stony's relationships with his adoptive mother and sisters) than violence, though the second half contains the more typical zombie novel elements of gore and horror if you still want some of that.

I enjoyed seeing things from the zombies' point of view, and seeing that different zombies had different ways of looking at the world of the living, with some just wanting to fit in, and others wanting to take it down.

I admit the ending was a little...far out...but I still loved it.

Great for those who don't like zombie stories

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I have lots of friends who are fans of zombie TV so they would enjoy it. However, I'd also recommend it to someone who enjoys well written sci-fi. It has enough of a science feel that it isn't a ghost story or fantasy book.

I'm not a zombie fan, but the synopsis on audible drew me in and I took a chance. I'm not ready to jump on the zombie horror bandwagon at all. This story is different. And really good.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Stony of course, but after that, his sister Chelsea/Crystal. All the Mayhall women are strong and distinct characters. I like how they stand up for their different brother, but remain human through it all.

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

He becomes the real voice of Stony. He does other characters so well that I don't think of it as the same reader. If I had just read it, I don't know if Stony's voice in my head would have been as likeable.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. It was hard to turn it off!

Any additional comments?

I hope to read more books by Gregory and will definitely look forward to hearing Marantz's voice again.