The Forest Of Hands And Teeth By Carrie Ryan Summary
Introduction
The Forest of Hands and Teeth is a novel by Carrie Ryan, first published in 2009. The book is a post-apocalyptic zombie story that follows the life of a young girl named Mary. She lives in a small village surrounded by a fence in the middle of a forest that is filled with zombies. The story follows Mary's struggles as she tries to uncover the truth about the world beyond her village and find a way to escape the forest.
Plot Summary
The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has been decimated by a virus that turns people into zombies called "The Unconsecrated." Mary lives in a small village surrounded by a fence that protects them from the zombies that roam the forest. The village is ruled by a religious order called The Sisterhood, who believe that the zombies are the result of a punishment from God. Mary's mother was once a member of The Sisterhood, but she was bitten by a zombie and turned into one herself.
Mary dreams of escaping the village and seeing the ocean, which she believes is the only place where there might be other survivors. Her dreams are fueled by a book that her mother left her before she died, which contains stories about the world before the zombie apocalypse. Mary's brother, Jed, is the leader of the village and is against the idea of leaving the safety of the fence. Mary's best friend, Cass, is in love with Jed and is also against leaving the village.
When Mary's village is overrun by zombies, she and a group of survivors, including Cass and Jed, are forced to flee into the forest. They discover an abandoned city and a group of survivors who have managed to survive by living on the upper levels of a skyscraper. The group is led by a man named Travis, who reveals that he knows a way out of the forest and to the ocean. However, they must first cross a dangerous bridge and fight off a horde of zombies.
Characters
Mary: The protagonist of the story, Mary is a young girl who dreams of seeing the ocean and discovering the truth about the world beyond her village.
Jed: Mary's brother and the leader of the village. He is against leaving the safety of the fence and is in love with Cass.
Cass: Mary's best friend and Jed's love interest. She is also against leaving the safety of the fence.
Travis: The leader of the survivors in the abandoned city. He knows a way out of the forest and to the ocean.
Themes
The Forest of Hands and Teeth deals with themes such as survival, loss, and the search for truth. Mary's journey is a metaphor for the journey that we all go through in life. It is about finding the courage to face our fears and the strength to overcome them. The story also explores the idea of religion and how it can be used to control people.
Reception
The Forest of Hands and Teeth has received mostly positive reviews from critics. The book has been praised for its unique take on the zombie genre and its strong female protagonist. It has also been criticized for its slow pacing and lack of action. The book has been adapted into a graphic novel and a film adaptation is currently in development.
Conclusion
The Forest of Hands and Teeth is a gripping and emotional story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is a must-read for fans of the zombie genre and anyone who enjoys a good post-apocalyptic story. Carrie Ryan has created a world that is both terrifying and beautiful. The story is a testament to the human spirit and our ability to overcome even the most impossible odds.