A Review of Jen Frankel’s Tale "Undead Redhead"

Sharon Backovic dies tragically at her friend’s wedding, but she climbs out of her casket before burial, finding out that she is a newly risen vegan zombie. Cryptoparapsychocriminologist V. X. Morgoni investigates cryptids and paranormal creatures; she is searching for the newest zombie in Toronto. In the US, a woman takes on the appearance of the zombie Sharon, intending to not only memorialize Sharon but also to gain her own fifteen minutes of fame.

Jen Frankel’s Undead Redhead is a zombie tale unlike others—instead of focusing on the horror of the living dead seeking out human brains for nourishment, Sharon’s horror comes from the apathy of her friends and family over her death. Sharon, a vegan in life, struggles with how to continue living without harming others while also facing the reality of being, well, dead. She no longer has a home, income, or even really friends, but she still keeps going, facing her obstacles as best as she can.I really enjoyed this book because it doesn’t focus on the scary part of zombies but rather the philosophical questions of what it means to be alive.

I expected more of a popcorn book—one more along the lines of MaryJanice Davidson—but I got an almost literary novel. Frankel uses complex sentence structures and advanced (but not alienating) vocabulary in a way that is approachable even for those who don’t study literature in an academic setting for a living. Some of the words that stuck out to me include "askance," "anecdotally," and "castigation"—these aren’t particularly difficult words but they may not be used often in casual conversation.Even though there were more than ten errors in the book (which prevents a perfect score), I made note of them and went on my way through this humorous story.

I had some issues keeping track of the characters at first, but as the book went on, I was able to identify them with no problem. Once the characters began getting closer in proximity to each other, even more of my confusion was cleared up.I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. With some editing, it could easily get a higher rating. Even though it starts a little slow, it picks up and the humor overrides the initial slow pace. The blending of comedy, slight horror, and philosophy is what makes Frankel’s novel stand out. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well-written book with wit—the zombie part is part of Sharon much like our own ethnicities are a part of us. I also recommend certain passages for those teaching ethnographic studies because of the exploration of subcultures within the book.