Z For Zachariah - Robert Brien > Reviews > A good read.

Author's product rating:   

Would you listen to it again?	Absolutely
Story	Good
Characters	Outstanding
Listenability	Once you start it, you won't be able to switch it off!
How does it compare to similar audio books?	Not applicable
How does it compare to audio works by the same author?	Not applicable

Advantages:	great descriptive language, brilliant plot and interesting characters
Disadvantages:	none

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O'Brien is a fantastic novel about the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust. It is written in a diary format with each chapter being a new entry in Ann Burden's diary. What exactly has happened is never explained in the book but in the first entry Ann explains that there had been a dark cloud of smoke hovering in the air for weeks. Her family had set out to help the poeple in the nearest town but had sadly never returned and she appeared to be the only survivor. However just when she had gotten used to being alone she sees smoke in the distance and is frightened by the possibility of it being another survivor. Her fears come true as a stranger arrives in her valley. She hides, keeping a safe distance and watching his actions to see wether or not he may be a threat to her. The man wears a radiation-proof suit and kneel down to drink from the stream, which we later find out is contaminated.
Eventually Ann's nerves begin to settle and when she realises the man has fallen ill from the contamination she reveals herself inorder to help save his life.
The man survives the sickness and appears at first to be helpful and friendly but he soon begins to take over and Ann begins to notice a change in his manner.
As things go from bad to worse Ann desides she is no longer safe with the newcommer and leaves, finding shelter in a cave and collecting food supplies from the deserted local store.
She has to kepp a low profile so that he wont find out where she is staying however eventually he uses her dog to track her down and there is only one thing left to do.... fight. There isn't room for the both of them and so she is left with no choice.
Her valley is the only valley left for miles but she cannot bring herself to kill another human being so she plots a plan to steal his suit and go searching for a new place to live.

The majority of the book only contains two characters but they are so disimilar that it makes for a very intersting read. The unpredictable change in the strangers personality sees him go from being a fearful, ill, dependant man, with little hope and little will to continue, to a man who enforces power, demands respect and lords himself over a defensless young girl.
The girl also goes through a change as she becomes stronger and more determined not to be beaten or driven to despair.

The book is a wonderful tale of survival and a realistic impression of an event that could one day become true. I would recommend the book to both adults and children although children may need the book read to them and explained as some of the language is not straightforward.