Raising Stony Mayhall

By: Daryl Gregory

Narrated by: David Marantz

From award-winning author Daryl Gregory, whom Library Journal called "[a] bright new voice of the 21st century", comes a new breed of zombie novel - a surprisingly funny, vividly frightening, and ultimately deeply moving story of self-discovery and family love.

In 1968, after the first zombie outbreak, Wanda Mayhall and her three young daughters discover the body of a teenage mother during a snowstorm. Wrapped in the woman's arms is a baby - stone-cold, not breathing, and without a pulse. But then his eyes open and look up at Wanda, and he begins to move.The family hides the child - whom they name Stony - rather than turn him over to authorities who would destroy him.

Against all scientific reason, the undead boy begins to grow. For years, his adoptive mother and sisters manage to keep his existence a secret - until one terrifying night when Stony is forced to run, and he learns that he is not the only living dead boy left in the world.

©2011 Daryl Gregory (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Stony [is] the best zombie character ever....More than many novelists, Gregory's work not only withstands but grows richer with re-readings and sustained attention." (SF Signal)

"Raising Stony Mayhall should add to Daryl Gregory's reputation as a dazzling innovator....a fast-paced, exciting narrative laced with both humor and moments of pathos." (Locus)

"Part superhero fiction, part zombie horror story, and part supernatural thriller, this luminous and compelling tale deserves a wide readership beyond genre fans. Highly recommended." (Library Journal)

A Pacifist Zombie Tries to Keep It Together

Daryl Gregory's Raising Stony Mayhall (2011) read by David Marantz is an absorbing audiobook: moving, humorous, and, amidst the legion of undead books and movies out there, original.

In Part One, in 1968 on a snowy night in Easterly, Iowa, a zombie baby is found by the Mayhall family, mother Wanda and her three daughters. They must raise him in secrecy, because the boy, nicknamed Stony, is a "Living Dead" or "LD," and earlier in 1968 (the year of George Romero's "documentary" Night of the Living Dead) an outbreak of a mysterious disease that turned people undead hit the eastern USA. Though the contagion was seemingly stopped by the rapid and rabid reactions of civilians and authorities, if Stony were discovered he would be exterminated. The rest of the novel depicts his attempts to understand himself and the undead and living human condition.

Gregory dryly revels in the ramifications of the zombie premise: an undead physiology by which LDs do not eat, sleep, breathe, bleed, heal, decay, or stink; an undead philosophy focused around the conundrums of life and death and of how the undead may make prosthetic wooden limbs move; a resistance LDA (Living Dead Army) working through cells and safe houses; an undead representative government comprised of factions like one that wants to spread the disease all over the world and one that wants to avoid violence no matter what; and so on. He also works out the personal ramifications for Stony. Is he human? Can he love? Does he have a soul? If so, where is it? In heaven, hell, or purgatory (because he is dead), or in his body (because he is alive)? For that matter, where is his conscious self? Confined to his bones and flesh, or limited only by his will and imagination?

In addition to the possibilities of the zombie genre, Gregory is interested in the relationship between science and the supernatural. He also writes interesting and human characters (especially the undead ones). And he also wittily works in references to the popular culture of each of the eras through which his narrative moves, from 1968 until 2011.

Reader David Marantz enhances the situations, conversations, emotions, and ideas of the novel with restraint, reading the different voices for the male and female, old and young, educated and ignorant, living and undead characters without exaggeration and with a twinkle in the eye of his voice.

When you finish this entertaining audiobook, if you listen to the prologue again, more things will become clear and many touches will move you.

Great story, great narration

I was pretty skeptical about reading a "zombie book", but this was a lot of fun and a good story. The narration is the perfect tone, great balance of seriousness and lightness when it is called for. I would read more by the author and listen to more from the narrator.

Great story and great narration

What did you love best about Raising Stony Mayhall?

The unraveling of the storyline. It was more like listening to a great movie than traditional storytelling

What was one of the most memorable moments of Raising Stony Mayhall?

The climax when he joined the rebellion and then again when he was captured. Edge of my seat.

What about David Marantz’s performance did you like?

Sound quality was 100% perfection, His diction and pronounciation, the clear distinction between characters because of his tones and inflections.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

His sympathy and love for his humans

Any additional comments?

Great book great narration

I just loved this one.

Never expected an optimistic zombie! Somewhat simplistic perhaps, but I didn't miss the angst that could have filled a zombie story. I loved Stony and even liked the ending! Looking forward to more by Daryl Gregory. Thanks for this one.

The best "zombie" story ever, Not stupid

You'd think that a story involving a dead-but-alive person would be really stupid, but the characterization is so well done that it really gets interesting, and even believable. "Stony" is a hero that you root for on page one and continue for the rest of the novel. It's super entertaining, and wonderful for a teen to adult audience. David Marantz does his narration job well.

Not all bad, just ok for me.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I wish Stony could have had a love affair and a deeper connection with someone besides his family which was a wonderful connection. Once the Stony was away from his family the story became quite slow for me and lost a bit of my attention in the middle.

Would you recommend Raising Stony Mayhall to your friends? Why or why not?

Sure, it was a pleasant read, I did enjoy it and I liked Stony, it just was not my favorite book of all time.

What three words best describe David Marantz’s voice?

On the mark.

Could you see Raising Stony Mayhall being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Possibly, Im not sure I would be in the audience but Im sure others would like it very much.

Any additional comments?

This is not a bad story, I enjoyed many aspects of it and glad I did read it, it just has highs and lows that kept this from being an excellent five star story for this reader.

Not bad....!

If you could sum up Raising Stony Mayhall in three words, what would they be?

Different zombie perspective

What about David Marantz’s performance did you like?

He was very entertaining. Did a great job keeping me interested

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

.....after the fever passes. Life begins again.

Any additional comments?

I was initially very skeptical of this book. Its definitely not you typical zombie thriller. The main character draws you in, and keeps you interested. I wish there was a bit more zombies gone wild in this book. But that's not the focus of the story. I liked it!

excellent allegory for racism and abuse of power

I empathized with the humanity in these characters and the oppressive atmosphere they existed within.

A nice book on the Living Differently

Would you consider the audio edition of Raising Stony Mayhall to be better than the print version?

No idea. This is the first time I experienced it through audio.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Stony. He is the main character.

Which character – as performed by David Marantz – was your favorite?

Same as above, although Mr. Blunt came in second.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No extreme reaction.

Any additional comments?

It was a fun read in between the big stories. Better than I expected for a Daily Deal.

Really Enjoyed this story.

Had a credit burning a hole in my pocket. This fit the bill perfectly. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this odd little tale. would pick up more from this author in a heartbeat!