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)

You'll wish you lived as much as this undead boy

I listened to "Raising Stony Mayhall" at the recommendation of a friend, although I was skeptical: sci-fi is not a genre to which I am usually drawn; certainly not zombies. I was pleasantly surprised. The characters, especially Stony himself, are wonderful. "Raising Stony Mayhall" is certainly a nerve-wracking tale of zombie wars and social upheaval, but it is also a tender and unexpectedly funny story of one man who is born different from all those around him and raised by those who decide that, in the end, love trumps all. As we follow Stony throughout his life, we watch him grapple with what it means to be different; to belong simultaneously to two groups but fully to neither. I never expected to laugh so much at a story that involved the undead. After I finished "Stony," I bought Daryl Gregory's previous books: "Pandemonium" and "The Devil's Alphabet," and devoured them both. Read "Raising Stony Mayhall"--you'll wish you lived as much as this undead boy.

So sad when it was over.

This was my first audiobook and I just LOVED it! It was a completely different take on the genre that was very enjoyable. Stony is a wonderful character with great story. The narration was spot on. Very glad that I chose this as my first listen.

Not a Typical Zombie Read

Any additional comments?

I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would.

It is part gentle family story, part zombie appocalypse-if you can imagine such a thing. Daryl Gregory casts zombies as a group oppressed, politically persecuted and hunted by living humans, with the title character caught between. It is not a typical zombie read, in that it focuses very little on neither the frightening scientific causes of the plague that brought zombies about, nor the gory details of the effects. The narration actually wryly acknowledges zombie cliches, from time to time, suggesting that the reader insert-dramatic-escape-here, complete with narrow misses, exploding zombie heads, etc.;some may find this annoying, but I found it amusing. The story instead focuses on the relationships between the characters, and on Stony's quest to figure out where he belongs and how he can help the people important to him.

There are some interesting philosophical tidbits, as Stony ponders what it really means to be alive (he, an undead American, being in a unique position to ponder). The end is a bit out there, but I liked it, because it follows this question to an interesting extreme.

I give it four stars instead of five, because it does drag a bit in the middle, and maybe is just a bit too long in general.

The narrator is great for the role, capturing Stony's sardonic wit and introspection well. His female voices are good-like Patrick Swayze doing drag in To Wong Fu.

Overall, I was not disappointed, and in fact, surprised at how much I liked this book.

Interesting Concept, Excellent Main Character!

What did you love best about Raising Stony Mayhall?

I loved the way the author humanized the

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

When Stony learned of his true power and ability to overcome.

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

He lent true emotion and authenticity to the characters.

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

Raising Stony Mayhall: An Undead Family Film Everyone Can Love

World War Z meets Odd Thomas

What made the experience of listening to Raising Stony Mayhall the most enjoyable?

The narration was pitch perfect.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Well, Stony Mayhall. The character type reminds me of Odd Thomas. Stony is a sensitive & funny sort of Zombie guy. Honestly the beginning drags a bit, get through the first hour or so. It pays off big.

Any additional comments?

I listen to audio while walking 5 miles. I measure the success of a book by how it can capture my imagination, and interest. This story line captured my interest enough that I forgot about the miles, and didn't want to stop.

Not your everyday run of the mill zombie novel

Any additional comments?

kept my interest but the timeline in the story did seem to jump around a bit. The narrator did an excellent job, he had a good storytelling voice and fantastic voice for the characters.

Interesting plot...but no hook

There wasn't really anything that I actively disliked about this book, but there also wasn't much that drew me in and made me care about what was happening. I did like the take on the mind/body problem (although by the end it went to a rather absurd extreme) and I appreciated the complexity of the world that was created with this unique twist on an old troupe. But I finished this about ten minutes ago, and I've already forgotten and stopped caring about almost everything that happened.

World War Z is one of my favorite stories ever, so books about how politics and society are affected by zombies is right up my alley. But, for me at least, Stony Mayhall never felt genuine. I can get lost in WWZ as if it really were the historical reference book it claims to be. But with Stoney I was always keenly aware of the fact that the author created this world, and thus I was never sucked in and absorbed or concerned about how everything turned out.

Good read, very different twist

What did you love best about Raising Stony Mayhall?

The support and love between the characters.

Any additional comments?

I read mixed reviews on this book, it took about a month before i decided to take a risk. I'm glad I did. If you are looking for zombie horror and gore this isn't it. This is a story about a boy caught between two worlds. One doesn't want him and the other can't live without him. His optimism and compassion will touch readers. I really wish it didn't end the way it did, Stony deserved so much more.

What?

This book started off pretty good and the reader was great but the story itself was all over the place. I will say that it held my interest which is a plus and the reason I gave it three stars, but what the heck was it about? It's like the author didn't know what the heck he wanted the main character to be. I mean was he a zombie or some kind of god or what? Were we supposed to be for the zombies or the breathers? Not to mention that the story went on about four hours longer than needed. I tried to like this one and even though I didn't hate it, I wouldn't recommend.

Unexpectedly Great Story!

What a great book, and a great listen! Definitely worth the download - you won't be disappointed.