Told in a similar style to Brooks’ previous book, World War Z, Devolution recounts the massacre of a small, isolated eco-centric community in rural Washington State. Told predominantly through diary entries by Kate Holland, we learn about the community, their ecological goals, and how they handle the devastating volcanic eruption of Mt. Rainier. Cut off from neighboring communities and forgotten about because of the natural disaster, some residents begin trying to become self-sufficient while awaiting rescue. As they try making their homes more energy efficient and grow some crops, they begin noticing the effect the eruption has had on wildlife. The animals are hungry, and becoming desperate. In time, the residents of the Greenloop community have more to worry about than coyotes.
I listened to the audiobook of this, narrated by Judy Greer, Max Brooks, Jeff Daniels, Nathan Fillion, and others. Generally, I prefer audiobooks that don’t have a famous actor as the narrator. Narration, like voice work, is different from acting, and not every actor is good at it. Also, their voices can be so distinct and familiar that it pulls you out of the story. So I’ve found, at least. That said, I feel like the cast does a pretty good job, here. I really like Fillion – though he does kind of mumble, and Judy Greer does a pretty good job with an anxiety-ridden woman in a stressful situation.
I don’t think the book is quite as engaging as World War Z, and the start was kind of slow. I did like – and some may not – how the characters start off with this idyllic view of the world and are wholly unprepared for the reality of their convictions. It kind of makes them insufferable at times – but I don’t think people realize how hard life is without modern, industrialized convenience. I don’t think I appreciate how good we have it – and I actively try to appreciate that part of my life.
It reminds me of the old aphorism, “all cats are libertarians: completely dependent on others but fully convinced of their own independence”. It’s an idea that I’m endlessly tickled by.
For those who aren’t as concerned with pithy dismissals of libertarianism – I think there’s still plenty to enjoy, here. It’s a localized Armageddon and the monster isn’t a zombie. So that’s a welcome change from a lot of this type of storytelling over the last fifteen years or so.