My Life as a White Trash Zombie

By: Diana Rowland

Narrated by: Allison McLemore

Audie Award Nominee, Paranormal, 2013

Teenage delinquent Angel Crawford lives with her redneck father in the swamps of southern Louisiana. She's a high school dropout, addicted to drugs and alcohol, and has a police record a mile long. But when she's made into a zombie after a car crash, her addictions disappear, except for her all-consuming need to stay "alive".

©2011 Diana Rowland (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Allison McLemore's delicate voice and Southern accent give Angel's first-person narration a humorous kick. McLemore excels at bringing Angel's self-deprecating and sarcastic comments to life. Her brisk pacing suits Angel's personality and draws listeners in from the first chapter, keeping them glued to their earphones as she plays up the book's 'gross factor' with drawling descriptions of gooey brains and crunchy skull cavities. She's also good at giving unique voices and mannerisms to secondary characters." ( AudioFile)

Fun, even if you don't like zombies!

I don't like zombies because I don't like gross, but I liked this book anyway. Allison McLemore's narration was great, and maybe it was the Southern accent, but it reminded me a little bit of the Sookie Stackhouse series. This was a fun book to listen to, and although there were definitely gross parts, it wasn't too terribly gory.

very interesting twist to the Zombie pursona

Where does My Life as a White Trash Zombie rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

not the best, but certainly not the worst

What did you like best about this story?

how the Zombies have a life, verses being all about kill, kill, kill

What three words best describe Allison McLemore’s voice?

fingernails to a chalk board

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

Bite my brain

Angel Came Alive

Would you consider the audio edition of My Life as a White Trash Zombie to be better than the print version?

Allison McLemore has become one of my favorite narrators based on this story alone. She brings Angel alive, and I don't think I would have enjoyed this story quite as much without Allison brining her to life. Spunk, snark, and a Louisiana accent, make up Angel, and Allison nails it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Angel and I could be best friends. She is spunky, a survivor, and has a really smart mouth.

“But then again, I was about as far from touchy-feely as you could get. Unless you’re fu***** me, don’t put your hands on me.”

She sold the story for me. Her character goes through more, has deeper development, than any story I have read in a long time. She goes from trash to normal naturally. As she grows and finds herself, she doesn't lose her personality just her loser status. This book is vivid. Rowland holds no punches when giving us the gory details of Angel's life and thoughts. Angel should definitely win the award for most creative similes.

Which character – as performed by Allison McLemore – was your favorite?

Angel hands down. She really brings out her personality and thoughts. Without Allison's narration, the story would not have been the same.

Any additional comments?

At first, I was not sure about My Life as a White Trash Zombie. I couldn't fathom how a story about casual life as a zombie would be entertaining. But it was. Throughout the beginning of the story there are subtle hints that more is going on than just Angel finding her way. Someone is killing, and taking heads with them. The mystery, again, is subtle until the end when pieces finally click into place, and we get the final showdown.

Angel and I could be best friends. She is spunky, a survivor, and has a really smart mouth.

“But then again, I was about as far from touchy-feely as you could get. Unless you’re fucking me, don’t put your hands on me.”

She sold the story for me. Her character goes through more, has deeper development, than any story I have read in a long time. She goes from trash to normal naturally. As she grows and finds herself, she doesn't lose her personality just her loser status. This book is vivid. Rowland holds no punches when giving us the gory details of Angel's life and thoughts. Angel should definitely win the award for most creative similes.

Allison McLemore has become one of my favorite narrators based on this story alone. She brings Angel alive, and I don't think I would have enjoyed this story quite as much without Allison brining her to life. Spunk, snark, and a Louisiana accent, make up Angel, and Allison nails it.

Not at all what I expected

If you could sum up My Life as a White Trash Zombie in three words, what would they be?

What a surprise!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Definitely the lead character, Angel. She is spunky, strong, smart, flawed, vulnerable and determined. I should note that anyone who has a problem with excessive profanity should probably skip this series. While it didn't bother me, the lead character talks like a trucker raised in a bordello.

Which scene was your favorite?

Hmmm....I wouldn't want to describe it and give away any spoilers.

If you could rename My Life as a White Trash Zombie, what would you call it?

That's a tough question. While the title may turn some potential buyers away, I've got to admit that it gets one's attention.

Any additional comments?

I purchased this one by accident and considered returning it without listening to it but decided to at least give it a chance first. I'm so glad I did! It's entertaining and funny with a very likable main character.

Not your typical zombie story

My Life as a White Trash Zombie made me do a double take. I am going to try to not give too much away, and hopefully this will help spark your interest. Take everything that you know about zombies and throw it in the trashcan, because none of that applies here. Imagine this, zombies are not mindless but instead look just like everyone else until they start to starve from not having enough brains, that is when they take the role of the classic zombie. My Life as a White Trash Zombie is the story of Angel, a loser/drug addict that has been given the “gift” of zombieism without her knowledge. Her life gets better, except for the overwhelming urge to eat human brains. Now there is somebody seeming to be hunting zombies. This is the first book in a series and I will be getting the next books very soon, as I need to know what happens.

Not my style, but nevertheless

I don't like fantasy. But I like stories about trash, whatever color. This story is about zombies, but it keeps both feet on the ground. I found it a great choice for my audible menu since the story is not too complicated but gripping at moments. So, fantasy is still not my thing, but a down to earth zombie has recently put the door ajar.

Angel's (inner) Demons

If you have passed this by a few times and thought about it, but then moved on...you are making a mistake. I enjoyed this from start to finish and will be on to book 2 very shortly.

Allison was fantastic as the narrator. (There was one voicing she did that sort of grated, but I will keep that to myself so as not to taint your listening pleasure since it was just my own personal irritant.)

This is fun, pure and simple. Angel is perfect and the story has such a believable voice that this is a PERFECT alt-reality book. I would love for Angel to meet That Ghoul Ava...I think they would raise holy hell.

I'm laughing about eating brains!

If you could sum up My Life as a White Trash Zombie in three words, what would they be?

Entertaining, lighthearted, funny

Who was your favorite character and why?

Angel is the obvious choice. She is just plain funny!

Which character – as performed by Allison McLemore – was your favorite?

The narrator did a wonderful job! She portrayed Angel's colloquialisms which just made the listening so enjoyable. I don't think I would have enjoyed reading the book as much as I have listening to the book.

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

Forget the vampires, this little zombie rocks!

Good

Story was good. Could do with out all the cussing. Would like to hear the rest.

So much fun purchased the rest of the series!!

Where does My Life as a White Trash Zombie rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I can easily tell you which of my husbands I preferred but how I feel about my books is way too personal