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)

Dystopian cultured living dead world

Dystopian cultured living dead world. A humanitarian zombie protagonist. Great read. I loved how they made all these Iowa jokes and a big chunk of the story was centered in a sleepy Iowa town. Love Iowa! Anyways, there were many layers and backstories. The whole narrative was creative and inventive. I had never read a zombie book where zombies were just dead humans.

If you like post-apocalyptic fantasy with a good variety of characters you should definitely read this.

just fine. not great.

another "zombie" novel that really doesn't have anything to do with traditional zombies. there were actually times i forgot that i was reading about zombies. there is no real flesh/brain eating, no scary chases through the woods with moaning and dragging limbs. not that that matters...per se...if the novel is good enough to sustain the story.

what there is, however, is a relatively smartly written novel about prejudice and humanity. its an interesting social statement. a bit long winded at parts, and i wasn't all that happy with the final few pages...not a real resolution as much as a ho hum shrug of the shoulders.

Not what I expected...much more?

If you could sum up Raising Stony Mayhall in three words, what would they be?

Unexpected point of view.

What did you like best about this story?

It was written from the

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

A whole new world!

Good Read

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

The book has all the aspects to be great, but just seemed to be missing something. There were huge leaps in time, and I felt as if some of the events seemed to drag while others could have used some more time put into them.

I enjoyed the performer's voice, but at times it was difficult to distinguish what character was talking and would become a little confusing.

Author projected his best sekf

What did you like best about Raising Stony Mayhall? What did you like least?

Stoney was a 'perfect' character. He felt like everything the author pictured himself to be.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Stoney needed flaws. Anything. Some rude thoughts, an odor, anything to make him multidimensional.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably not, but I bet other people would go see it. It has a good premise in a zombie saturated media scape.

What goes on inside a zombie's head?

Great book for walking dead fans as told from the viewpoint of a zombie.Great listen.

A Zombie Tale with a Wonderful Twist

What a great story! I have really been into zombies lately, (don't ask). So, I have been reading everything I can get my hands on. So, I can safely say that "Raising Stony Mayhall" is one the best.
I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a great read. Zombie lover or not.

David Marantz is the narrator, and I have to say, he is perfect for this book. The producers at Audible Frontiers seem to really have a talent with finding wonderful books and then finding the perfect narrator for each production.

Great idea... strangely executed

What did you like best about Raising Stony Mayhall? What did you like least?

I loved the idea of a zombie child and also of a story being told from a zombies point of view. I did not like how the story seemed to veer off, and I really started to not like the middle to end of the book. I wish I would have stopped listening after he became a teenager.

Would you be willing to try another book from Daryl Gregory? Why or why not?

I don't know.

Did Raising Stony Mayhall inspire you to do anything?

No

Any additional comments?

Great idea... really loved the characters and the beginning of the book. Usually it is the opposite- I can't get into a book at the beginning, but like the end... Thisbook - I couldnt put down at first- I was listening at work, and before bed... Then, it hit a point where I was dreading listening to it.

Long slow section killed this

The beginning of this book was very entertaining, I enjoyed the first third and thought I had found a winner. Then came the middle section, and by middle I mean the middle two thirds of the book, and the politics of the living dead was drawn out to infinity, the big bite or we are people too debate. I think this would be a great book for the "Twilight" crowd, nothing wrong with that genre, and it has a strong following to be sure, but it is not for me.

As a fan of zombie stories...

If you could sum up Raising Stony Mayhall in three words, what would they be?

Fun first half

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

I loved the story line

What about David Marantz’s performance did you like?

excellent.

Any additional comments?

The book started out great. I found the first half really entertaining. There is a slow part in the middle that got a little too drawn out. Since I usually listen while doing other things, I didn't have too much trouble getting through that section. Overall, even though the story got a little slow in the middle (which is why I gave the story 3-stars, versus 4), I still recommend it to others, especially those who love zombie stories.