Paul is Undead: The British Zombie Invasion by Alan Goldsher

I remember first hearing about this book on the podcast, Mail Order Zombie. It was a very brief mention, but the idea of The Beatles being zombies intrigued me. My father was a huge Beatles fan and his love for them brushed off on me. I remember we would listen and sing Beatles songs every time we got into a car together. Now that I’m older and my dad’s not around as much anymore, I’ve grown out of The Beatles stage. Paul is Undead is a start at getting me back in.

This book is told in the point of view of a man who is interviewing the band and anyone associated with them. Later it is revealed that the author, Alan Goldsher, is the man doing the interviewing. In the story he has been in love with The Beatles ever since he was a child. There have been countless books and articles about The Beatles music, but Goldsher wanted to know about the men behind the music. He took it upon himself to find everyone who had involvement in their success. Oh and did I mention that three of The Beatles are undead and one is a level 7 Ninja Lord?

There’s so much I want to say about this book. I’ll start by saying that I freaking loved it! I honestly have never laughed so hard in my life. I’m not the biggest Beatles fan. I first heard about them when I was a kid. My dad would listen to their music and learn to play them on the guitar. I picked up on the songs and they basically stayed with me into adulthood. I never read any books about The Beatles or have seen documentaries on them, but I do know a lot about the band from what my dad and other people have told me.

Since I read this book, every time I see a Beatles album cover I think of them as being undead. Ringo is the only Beatle that is not dead, but he is a level 7 Ninja Lord. What a funny concept. The book is filled with all sorts of humor. Mick Jagger from The Rolling Stones makes an appearance as a zombie hunter who fights the Beatles every chance he gets. The Beatles just see him as a nuisance than a real threat. The fights between them are filled with hilarity.

I read the book in only a few days, after that I picked up the audiobook and I’m so glad I did. I listen to the book a few times and each time there is one section that gets me. John Lennon is telling the rest of the guys a dream he had about what the band should be named. Lennon is not telling the story, but I believe George was telling it as John. The story made me laugh so hard that I almost crashed my car. I think it had to do with the line, ‘Would you like to eat a piece of pie?” That line in the story’s context makes absolutely no sense. I guess that’s why I laugh at it when I hear it.

Personally, I had no issues with this book. It was funny, well written and still think about it to this day. I will listen to it again sometime and I’m sure I’ll laugh my ass off. Some people might have a problem with the language. The Beatles tend to call each other Cunt a lot. For instance, when Paul and John are about to fight Ringo he starts bouncing around the room, one says to the other, “Let’s go get this little, Cunt.” So if you’re easily offended by rude humor don’t read this book.

I can’t wait for the sequel. You can expect another review from me on that one. I will have to give Paul is Undead, 5 Undead Heads out of 5.

Paul is Undead is available everywhere. If you see it on a shelf, you need to pick up a copy. If you’d rather get one online, please use the link to the left and buy a copy.