Brad Gooch - Zombie00
I discovered Brad Gooch via the Dennis Cooper blog - and was recommended to read one of his novels. I found Zombie00 on abebooks and am very pleased I did.
Zombie00 is a surprising book - and by that I mean its not what I expected from an ex-model who has also written gay self-help books (or at least one) - so that was all my initial prejudices shattered.
As opposed to Scott Heim's zombies out to seek revenge Gooch's zombie is an altogether different character. His young character is fascinated by a visit to the Sacred Voodoo Chamber at the Scranton Art Museum or perhaps this visit merely represents and names a state of desire for worship and obedience. Zombie00 takes this character on a journey from Pennsylvania to New York, to Haiti and back to New York as he adopts a series of zombie masters. It's a fable of a kind, but one that takes in bodybuilders, S/M, and abuse (although consensual abuse if there is such a thing). Gooch portrays in crisp and matter of fact writing the compeling desire for an all absorbing relationship, and in particular 'Zombie's desire for a master to serve, obey and take care of him.
Despite a weak ending this was a fascinating and vivid read - and I'm looking forward to reading more of Mr Gooch.
Zombie00 is a surprising book - and by that I mean its not what I expected from an ex-model who has also written gay self-help books (or at least one) - so that was all my initial prejudices shattered.
As opposed to Scott Heim's zombies out to seek revenge Gooch's zombie is an altogether different character. His young character is fascinated by a visit to the Sacred Voodoo Chamber at the Scranton Art Museum or perhaps this visit merely represents and names a state of desire for worship and obedience. Zombie00 takes this character on a journey from Pennsylvania to New York, to Haiti and back to New York as he adopts a series of zombie masters. It's a fable of a kind, but one that takes in bodybuilders, S/M, and abuse (although consensual abuse if there is such a thing). Gooch portrays in crisp and matter of fact writing the compeling desire for an all absorbing relationship, and in particular 'Zombie's desire for a master to serve, obey and take care of him.
Despite a weak ending this was a fascinating and vivid read - and I'm looking forward to reading more of Mr Gooch.