The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor

By: Robert Kirkman, Jay Bonansinga

Narrated by: Fred Berman

Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Following in the footsteps of the New York Times best-selling graphic novels and the record-breaking new television show, this debut novel in a trilogy of original Walking Dead books chronicles the back story of the comic book series' greatest villain, The Governor.

In the Walking Dead universe, there is no greater villain than The Governor. The despot who runs the walled-off town of Woodbury, he has his own sick sense of justice: whether it’s forcing prisoners to battle zombies in an arena for the townspeople’s amusement, or chopping off the appendages of those who cross him. The Governor was voted “Villain of the Year” by Wizard magazine the year he debuted, and his story arc was the most controversial arc in the history of The Walking Dead comic book series. Now, for the first time, fans of The Walking Dead will discover how The Governor became the man he is, and what drove him to such extremes.

©2011 Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“If the comic book writer Robert Kirkman were a superhero, his name might be the Midas Touch.” ( The New York Times)

Wait for the goodness!

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. With it being picked up and made into a television series I was prepared for a balls-to-the-wall zombie apocalypse. This is not what I got. At first, I didn't like the opening scenes and the introduction of the characters. It was slow and almost bland compared to other well-reviewed apocalypse tales. I persisted; I wanted to see what was so compelling to be made into a screenplay. I became hooked on the characters, what they were going through and what it was doing to them psychologically and emotionally. This, rather than the zombies themselves, are the focus of the story. As with most good novels in this genre, it is the character study that makes the grade. I do indeed look forward to the next book.

Badass

Great book! If you're thinking of getting this book do it right now. I liked everything about this from the narrator to the story it's super cool. Get it.

My Second Time

I love the imagination in Robert Kirkman's stories of the zombie apocalypse. This is my second time (one, reading the physical book; two, listening to the book on audible) and I still loved it.
My favorite part is the last paragraph of the last chapter. The transformation of Brian coming to fruition.

Amazing Storytelling, Dramatic Narration

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

Yes. If you're a fan of the graphic novels or just caught the bug from the TV — you'll eventually run across the "Governor" in the story lines and this book fills in the back story.

What did you like best about this story?

SInce it is a story about zombies, the author expertly describes each encounter and destruction of the Walkers in a way that kept the narrative from growing stale. It sounds/reads as if the authors did their forensic research and that only adds to the drama of this story. Also unlike Hollywood movie productions, this books pulls no punches (no pun intended) and all characters are vulnerable — which makes for a more satisfying and rewarding listening/reading expereince.

What about Fred Berman’s performance did you like?

Fred Berman added an extra dimension of drama, heartache and action to the written words by physically inhabiting all of the characters in the book, making the listening experience a delight.This is what old radio shows must have been like when the producers allowed you to create the images in your head while augmenting the narrative with the requisite audio cues.

Awesome!

What did you love best about The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor?

I was thinking is a zombie book really going to be good in an audiobook. It was amazing, the narrator was unbelievable he made each charcter come alive. This is a must listen!!

awsome

the reader did very good job at reading this out very good book a++ will read again

Great Back story

This novel was a well written back story to one of the series most notable antagonists. You almost feel bad for the guy by the end of it all.

No such thing as a ford s-10...

Was a little thrown when "Phillip" got splattered... Lol there is no such thing as a ford s10. Just saying!

Another great way to geek out on WD

If you could sum up The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor in three words, what would they be?

Exciting, depressing, shocking

What other book might you compare The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor to and why?

Hard to say, though I think if Hemingway or Camus ever wrote a zombie novel, it would be a lot like this book.

If you could rename The Walking Dead: Rise of The Governor, what would you call it?

Actually, I would rename it Road to Woodbury, which is the title of the second book in the series. Rise of the Governor isn't really appropriate, because "the Governor" doesn't ever really appear in this book unless you count the very last page or two. The titles of the two volumes should really be switched.

What a twist!

I'll admit that first I did struggle to stay interested, but once this story got my attention it definitely kept it. Long time Walking Dead fan, the difference between the book and the TV series was exciting and refreshing.