Book Review of Night of the Living Dead by Matt Mikalatos

 

Night of the Living Dead Christian
by Matt Mikalatos
ISBN 978-1-4143-3880-4
Published by Tyndale House Publishers
SaltRiver Imprint
Reviewed by Clint Walker

Much of Christian fiction is dull and schmaltzy. That is why I often avoid it like the plague. Every once in a while, though, a writer comes along in the Christian writer's market that breaks that mold, and is truly creative. Matt Mikalatos has truly found his own creative, unique voice. And the Christian fiction world is truly better for it.

Mikalatos' most recently released book is entitled Night of The Living Dead Christian. It is a smart, intelligent allegory of the Christian life.

The focus on the book is the wild, crazy supernatural battle of the author and some friends he meets along the way. Mike begins the story as someone who is leading a neighborhood watch. As he seeks to fulfill his responsibilities, he finds himself enmeshed in battles with werewolves, zombies, and more. All right in his neighborhood. The result is a theological conversation on the nature of spiritual growth and transformation via a "horror-movie" kind of theology.

What intrigued me as I read is the ability of Mikalatos was his ability to build a connection between his novel and the literature of monsters in general. Historically, monster novels and stories were prophetic about the human condition. For instance, Frankenstein is a warning to our culture about becoming overly dependent on technology to solve our problems and provide for our comfort.

Night of the Living Dead Christian is more overtly Christian in its use of the monster archetypes to communicate ideas of theology and faith. It challenges our propensity to live parallel lives through the metaphor of the werewolf. It uses zombies to communicate the idea of being dead inside, but still looking alive on the outside. The examples go on and on.

So if you are looking for something to read that is fun and little quirky, but theologically sound, I would recommend grabbing the book and giving it a read.

I currently have one copy of this book to share with others. So, join in the conversation. I will chose one person who comments on this blog expressing interest in the book. The winner will be chosen on Monday the 19th.

(this book was given to me in exchange for an honest review)

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