On August 4th, fans will be able to experience the last zombie story written by George A. Romero when his novel The Living Dead reaches store shelves (you can pre-order a copy at THIS LINK). Romero wasn't able to finish working on the 656 page novel before he passed away in 2017, so author Daniel Kraus was brought on to complete the story, based on notes Romero had left behind.
August 4th will also see the release of an 18 hour, unabridged audiobook (you can get that HERE), and it has been announced that the audiobook was narrated by Lori Cardille and Bruce Davison.
Fans of Romero's zombie films will recognize Cardille as Sarah from DAY OF THE DEAD. Davison was never in a Romero film, but he did appear on an episode of the Romero-produced anthology series Tales from the Darkside, and was recently on an episode of Shudder's Creepshow series. Davison's other genre credits include the 1971 version of WILLARD, Rob Zombie's THE LORDS OF SALEM, and INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY.
Cardille had this to say about the audiobook:
As one of George Romero's leading ladies in his Living Dead trilogy, I am thrilled and honored to give my voice to this book. And given our preoccupation with deadly viruses these days, I wouldn't be surprised to see George come back from the grave and lead a parade of zombies down Fifth Avenue. The Living Dead is George at his best. He would be so happy to know that Daniel Kraus was able to complete his vision."
Davison added,
The frightening metaphor couldn't be more timely and fear will burrow its way into your waking dreams. Shelter in place… they're here.”
The Living Dead has the following synopsis:
It begins with one body.
A pair of medical examiners find themselves battling a dead man who won’t stay dead.
It spreads quickly.
In a Midwestern trailer park, a Black teenage girl and a Muslim immigrant battle newly-risen friends and family. On a US aircraft carrier, living sailors hide from dead ones while a fanatic makes a new religion out of death. At a cable news station, a surviving anchor keeps broadcasting while his undead colleagues try to devour him. In DC, an autistic federal employee charts the outbreak, preserving data for a future that may never come.
Everywhere, people are targeted by both the living and the dead.
We think we know how this story ends.
We. Are. Wrong.
I'm really looking forward to this novel, and I'm excited to hear that there's also going to be an epic audiobook with the voices of Cardille and Davison.