A Summer of Zombies: Exploring The Dead of Summer by Ryan La Sala
When I stumbled upon The Dead of Summer by Ryan La Sala, I felt an irresistible pull toward a fresh twist on the summer reading experience: zombies on the beach. As someone who has drawn countless connections between the beauty of summer landscapes and the thrilling depth of horror, I was eager to dive into La Sala’s vibrant, visceral world. Can a novel that blends heartfelt storytelling with visceral imagery truly redefine survivalist horror? Spoiler alert: it does, with some quirks along the way.
At its core, The Dead of Summer revolves around Ollie, a main character grappling with not just the external chaos of a zombie outbreak but also the tumultuous inner hurricane of emotions as he navigates grief and self-identity. The setting encapsulates a queer-friendly summer paradise that juxtaposes beautifully with the chaos of a zombie-like epidemic. La Sala infuses creativity into his portrayal of the "beach zombies," breathing new life into a familiar trope while exploring themes of loss, community, and acceptance.
However, as much as the setting sparkled with originality, I found a discordance in the ages of the characters. While they’re described as just out of high school, their behavior felt more in tune with early teens. The interactions, the reliance on “the adults,” and the simplicity of their dialogue often made me wish I’d mentally re-aged them to 14 or 15. This slight misalignment affected how I engaged with Ollie and his complex relationships, yet somehow, I found that it offered a more palatable narrative for younger readers.
La Sala’s writing style is decidedly swift and straightforward, making the intricate plot easy to digest even as it delves into heavier topics like grief. The clever use of interviews and journal entries not only creates suspense but also provides intriguing flashes of insight, allowing us to jump back in time for added dramatic tension. Still, there were moments when the practicality of these transcripts felt a bit forced, making me question their realism in the heat of the moment.
One of the standout achievements of this novel is how authentically it captures Ollie’s emotional journey amid the chaos unfolding around him. The relationships he shares with his friends feel palpable, even if secondary characters dabble in convenience. Each character’s struggle for self-confidence and acceptance mingles seamlessly with the narrative, muscling through heavier experiences while keeping the pacing brisk. My heart raced alongside Ollie as he faced not only the external monsters but also the internal demons of his past.
Yet, while I celebrated the depth of the main character, I was somewhat underwhelmed by the portrayal of the human antagonist. Their motivations appeared cartoonish, contrasting sharply with the nuanced chaos of the zombie outbreak. This left me longing for a richer, more developed foil to Ollie’s journey.
As for the book’s marketed representation of queerness, although it offers a hopeful take on acceptance, I felt it often leaned toward decorativeness rather than engagement with deeper experiences. The normalization of queer identities without substantive exploration was disappointing, especially considering the dynamic backdrop of a queer summer destination.
Despite these critiques, The Dead of Summer left a mark on me. It is a spirited blend of horror and heart, masterfully converting a traditional zombie narrative into a thought-provoking exploration of identity. The thrill of the unexpected, combined with poignant themes of grief and acceptance, creates a resonance familiar to any reader navigating the tumultuous landscape of their own lives.
This book is ideal for those longing for a unique summer read, young adults who crave heartfelt narratives wrapped in thrilling tales, and anyone looking to explore the boundaries of identity—whether through the lens of horror or the vibrancy of beach days. If you’re in the mood for zombies, emotional landscapes, and a contemporary coming-of-age tale, Ryan La Sala’s The Dead of Summer just might be your next adventure.
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