Feed

The Newsflesh Trilogy, Book 1

By: Mira Grant

Narrated by: Paula Christensen, Jesse Bernstein

Length: 15 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

Feed is the electrifying and critically acclaimed novel of a world a half-step from our own - a novel of geeks, zombies, politics and social media. 

©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)

 "Astonishing...a fascinating exploration of the future." (New York Times) 

 "Wry and entertaining." (NPR Books on Blackout) 

Surprisingly Good

I only listened because of the Hugo nomination. I, for one, resent our new zombie overlords. But this really wasn't a zombie book, more of a "humans can adapt to anything, and still be bastards" kind of book. Fun to read, thought-provoking, and, to my surprise, with an emotional punch that had me mourning at one point in the book, really grieving for a character. Impressive.

I laughed, I cried...

I would like to thank everyone who was disappointed that this was not really a zombie story. I was not going to buy it until I read the reviews. Your disappointment gave me the encouragement I needed to take a chance on it. It was a great listen. I love the author's October Daye stories and this was just as good. She is a hard hitting story teller, and the idealism is a nice change not usually found in a distopian worlds. I don't want to provide any spoilers, but I will say none of my predictions for the conclusion was correct.

As for the reader's slight lisp, it helped make the characters more real for me.

I look forward to the next book, though I know I will have to steel myself to listen to it because of the emotional intensity.

An interesting perspective

As a zombie horror fan I liked the new (to me) way the perspective was presented from the intentionally different character views - newsie, irwin, fictional - and I thought it was a good mechanism for adding depth to what could have been a limited and boring narrative. The matter of fact way horrors are considered and dealt with as just part of life, the personality traits that led each character toward their own views, right down to seeing and accepting the flaws of those around us. You and I don't have to agree, and in a world where you're perpetually on the edge of extinction you and I are all we have, that seemed to be a strong under current not only in the brother/sister relationship yet in their dealings with others. And I took the 'Christian bashing' another reviewer noted as being a portrayal of the religious zealotry too common in today's news, politics and cultures, and the cost we pay for it. Questioning God? Who except the same zealots hasn't at some point, Ms. Grant conveyed to me a character that was searching for answers, holding to hope in a hopeless world, doing the right thing because its the right thing even within that abyss of doubting whether its all worth it or if there's anything beyond.

I guess I just read/heard more depth, more nuance than some, or my imagination filled in the blanks created from her words - and isn't that what's supposed to happen?

Great book !!

At first I was disapointed to find out it was a "zombie"book.I dont usually like such books. But this one was different,well writen with lots of action.But it is a well thought out story that includes politics,medical,spys and the internet. It is a different kind of book.I thought the narration was fine.I didnt notice a lisp.

Excellent Read

This is a very fun book, in the old timey zombie-as-metaphor style. The book is clever, the main characters are likable, and the primary reader is both energetic, emotive, and able to portray many different characters effectively. I don't know why they bothered to hire a second reader for the two or three small paragraphs he ended up reading, but from his admittedly brief appearances, he's not bad either.

This is a very interesting, and very unsettling, take on the zombie mythos. It represents a look into a world where threat is ongoing, and while it doesn't offer much in the way of scares, the constant grinding paranoia of everyone in the book (you must take blood tests to go inside, you must take blood tests to go outside, you must take blood tests to enter different parts of buildings etc. etc. etc.) actually increases the tension as the book continues. You realize the lengths that people have gone through to protect themselves, and ultimately, how useless they all are.

Many zombie stories end up being pretty silly, but this one, both as a critique of fear-culture, and as a story in its own right, is something very interesting, and very worthwhile.

If you're interested in either blogging, or zombies, or what happens when you mix the two of them together and shake vigorously, give this book a read.

I Was Tricked!

I had no idea this would be a book about Zombies. Had I known, I would have dropped it like a hot potato!! Zombies, Werewolves and Vampires? PASS. Forget it. Not for me.

I like science fiction, and based on the synopsis I was expecting a futuristic medical thriller…. HA! Suuuurpriiiiise! Zombies?? Puh-leeeeeze.

I am SO glad I didn’t know in advance! I am thrilled I was tricked because I really liked the story! Ultimately, it IS a futuristic medical thriller mixed in with journalism and political intrigue; a great read! Instead of being ridiculous, the zombie-element (the idea that Zombieism is due to an infection from a cancer cure gone bad) was a really interesting one… it got me thinking and it did not devolve into stupid gratuitous brain-eating gore.

Having said that, the zombie-action scenes where NOT my thing and bored me completely; I hate stuff like that, I just find it dumb, but they were so few and far between, they were easy to ignore.

I’m in for the sequels!

Don't Believe The Dissenters!

I almost didn't get this book because of a few reviews. First, that the dialogue was unbelievable & forced and Second, that it was Anti-Christian. Neither of these are true. The dialogue is intelligent and not at all forced. Maybe the reviewer doesn't know anyone who speaks this way, but I do.

As for it being anti-Christian. This isn't true. It's anti-extremist! The bad guy is someone who uses his misinterpretation of religion as a justification do horrendous things. It in no way protrays all religion or Christians as bad, evil, or misguided.

That being said, this isn't your typical Zombie book. The Zombies are very much a side story. It takes place 20+ years after the initial outbreak and is a picture of what society would be like with this constant threat. I found it highly enjoyable, but probably not for the person who wants nonstop zombie action.

Not what I expected, but still good

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Any additional comments?

Listening to the audiobook of Feed by Mira Grant left me with a most unexpected experience. I've read my fair share of zombie books from horror to humor, but none have left me feeling the way Feed did. I'm not even sure how to review it but I'll give it a shot.

Feed is told from the point of view(s) of a team of bloggers after the world has fallen prey to a zombie infestation. The news gets to folks more quickly and effectively through various blogger types, Georgia and her brother Shaun being a fairly successful team have signed on to caravan with a presidential hopeful during his campaign. Along the trail this team of bloggers will fall into the middle of what could be the largest most dangerous political conspiracy ever and it will put all their lives at risk.

Quite a large chunk of the beginning of the book is focused on world building told by both Gerogia's narrative and also by the occasional blog post. It was an interesting approach to writing. The world Grant creates is both fascinating and terrifying. She has put a ton of detail into this futuristic danger zone filled with brain eaters and I love what she has come up with.

Another aspect I enjoyed was the character development. There is a large cast here but it was easy to get a clear grasp of who everyone was. I had heard rumblings about the relationship between Georgia and Shaun being odd and turning some people off, but I didn't feel that. It is a very dependent relationship, they rely on each other for everything (literally) but it never felt anything other than a very close sibling bonding to me. Taken into context of what this world is like, I think it may be natural. I actually enjoyed the relationships all the bloggers had with each other.

Without giving any direct spoilers, I have to say that the bravery Grant showed at the end of Feed was amazing. Not many writers would take the leap she did, straight into the deep end of the pool, it was utterly unexpected and pure genius.

What I did not enjoy was the pacing and the lack of action. This zombie ride is a slow moving vehicle with little flesh eating outbreaks and honestly, that just isn't what I typically look for in Z books. I like the gore and blasting of brains. It's not to say that Feed wasn't a well written and enjoyable read. It is, but it isn't what I thought I was going to get.

I think I will still continue with the series, I will just be hoping Shaun will be doing a lot more poking of zombies with sticks, because that would rock!

Zombie Book and Mystery Book all in one

Feed is part normal zombie book, part political mystery. It has some of the zombie attach scenes you would normally see, but also does a good job of showing the way people live with the zombies, and what they must do on a day to day basis in this new normal. The story has good character development and a lot of action, excitement and intrigue to keep you coming back for more. Being the first of a trilogy there is always the chance that the author won’t fully wrap up the story to keep their readers coming back for more books, but this did a good job of completing the story allowing it to be stand alone if you don’t want to go on.

A unique aspect of this book was a male and female characters resulting in two performers. I think this made it more realistic and really enjoyable. They both do a great job.

I greatly enjoyed this book.

More Politics and Religion than Zombies

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

If the story wasn't so much a voice for the writer to express her opinions about politics, religion and America, this book would have rated higher.

The "reader" performance was fine.

Has Feed turned you off from other books in this genre?

No. I love the "Zombie" genre.

What aspect of Paula Christensen and Jesse Bernstein ’s performance would you have changed?

The performance was great. Their "male" voices are a little silly... but no different than a male reader impersonating a female.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Feed?

Not sure.

Any additional comments?

To the author - DUMP the politics, preaching, and "castle-building" in your books.

THE best zombie trilogy ever!!!!

Loved it!!! Now where are the next two books, Audible??? You are letting the side down. more Sean and Georgia Mason please

Great story, medicore narration, appalling accents

Would you try another book written by Mira Grant or narrated by Paula Christensen and Jesse Bernstein ?

No. Actors really should be able to perform a passable accent - their English accents were some way south of say, Dick van Dyke's performance in Mary Poppins and detracted hugely from the story in Mahir's chapters. They did provide some laughs though!

What did you like best about this story?

The writing, which takes a typical zombie-era scenario and presents it in an original way.

Would you be willing to try another one of Paula Christensen and Jesse Bernstein ’s performances?

Nope.

A book for teenagers.

I had hoped this book would be gripping with scary bits.
After listening to this book for about two hours I stopped it and preferred to sit in silence on my commute to work.
It seemed like listening to Buffy the Vampire Slayer or a teenage girls adventure.
I tried sticking with it, and I'm sure it gets better but it just wasn't my thing.

A must have

Loved this book, hard to stop listening too. Story takes what appears to be a boring turn but never became boring just more enthralling

Jesse Bernstein let it down once again.

I've read this book, and decided to re-live the story via audiobook. Paula Christensen was a fantastic narrator, but Jesse Bernstein just sounded like he was joking around with his mates in the recording booth. His narration has stopped me purchasing a different audiobook, but I was hoping perhaps he would be different in a different story. Sadly not.

Great novel, slightly unusual narration.

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

I have all the Newsflesh series in paperback format and love them to bits, hence why I picked up the audiobook. Generally the narration here is good, although the attempts by the narrators at an English accent caused me to burst out laughing in the middle of the street. It sounds like some combination of Australian, South African and London urban. Only recommended if this doesn't bother you.

TOSH

Complete tosh. I tried to stick at this audio book (grimacing all the way) and could not. Survive about tree quarters of it. If you can best that then you win!! The Americans should uses this book at guantanamo bay to soften up the terrorist. Feed: The Newsflesh Trilogy, Book 1 I hope this doesn't imply there is a 2nd and 3rd one the way. Mira Grant please don't haven't you done enough.

Unimpressive

The author of this book basicly attempts to mesh together political intrigue with an undead scenario. The final result is a predictable, unengaging story of what can only be discribed as dull. It's attempts to garner the feel of sociopolitical intrigue fails quite miserably and ultimately leads to a dull cascade of cookie cutter events to a backdrop of a near miss undead apocalypse.

almost, but not quite

if this book was a jigsaw, not only are the pieces badly cut and inconsistent but some are missing all together.

"Feed" does quite well at setting up it's world and the rules within it, but then is let down but characters that are so overdrawn it's laughable:. i was half way through and suddenly realized I was reading Scooby-Doo and the bad-guys would get away with things if it wasn't for these "meddling kids"

the writing is very heavy handed with the author squeezing in every pet peeve that is bothering them. but it is characters inconsistencies that begins to grate: I just wasn't convinced that certain characters would react in certain ways suddenly. just seemed to be a lazy plot device.

style won out over substance again and again: perhaps best illustrated by a situation. there is an episode that is meant to be sad and full of emotion and tragic empathy, and it might have worked if it was a spoken conversation but we were meant to believe that it was a piece of writing that deteriorated during amplification: just didn't work for me.

production on the whole is pretty good but the actors have woeful english accents especially the male mahir.

I made it to the end, but found myself asking the same question as some of the characters "was it worth it?" I probably have the same answer as them as well.

really enjoyed this good characters and developmen

I loved the charictors and loved how the story developed great how things ended and I wanted more . you know it was well written when someone dies and It upsets you