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Summary: Z for Zachariah
Review: Although the unabridged version lacks the imagination one needs to create characters in their own images/voices and traits. It's still riveting to the end.
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Summary: Not an Epic Fantasy, but a captivating Sci Fi.
Review: ...I love this book. It is absolutely my favorite book. Readthis book. You will like it alot better than any epic fantasy that isheld high by hyperbole. This book will haunt you for the rest of your life! You will love it!...
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Summary: Haunting read
Review: I read this as a child and was somewhat disturbed by it. Imagine what a 8 year old would think... It haunted me for years until I decided to read it again as an adult. Although I liked it as a kid, I understood it more as an adult. Great book!
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Summary: It's good
Review: I think it has a satisfying plot, and O'Brien does a good job at describing the characters and their surroundings. I give it "two thumbs up" baby!
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Summary: Excellent YA book, but may reveal more at later readings...
Review: Z for Zachariah was one I wasn't that impressed by at age 10 when I first read it (or about there), but years down the road (in college) a reread completely changed my mind about this book, and about the goals O'Brien had set about to accomplish with it. I've always been a fan of O'Brien, so I can't say I had completely written the book off, but this much later reading revealed some things that I think only the most perceptive young readers are going to pick up on, which is unfortunate because it really is a book for them.Starting with the most superficial, I am probably more impressed here with O'Brien's writing than anywhere else. O'Brien purposely drenches the story in detail, allowing the reader to pause and contemplate the strangely serene post-apocolypse environment. This of course is a tool--O'Brien uses Biblical allegory throughout (for the purpose of the story, not for the purpose of the proliferation of religion), and this entire scenario with the beautiful valley that cannot be left is all too obviously a cousin to the garden of eden. This surprising immersion in the pastoral setting (of what is apparently the end of the world) is equally matched by the strong and vital voice of Ann Burdan, who like the scenery stands in sharp contrast to death--a contrast that I think sets this entire book in motion. I for one found Ann's voice is what made the book work. Through sincerity and an honest analysis of her feelings we are propelled into the heart of the story, which is not so much about nuclear bombs but about 'growing up -as- epic adventure' (Henke, Children't lit in Education, Summer 82). As a young reader, I think I only saw the surface of this story which is not in of itself very compelling--a man comes into the valley, a relationship develops, the man becomes deranged and starts hunting the girl, so the girl leaves. The story however is much more than this. It is actually all about the last two chapters. It is about Ann -not- killing Mr. Loomis. It is about Ann's evolution as she moves from a child that can only consider life in the valley to confronting the entire world--one which seems dead and hopeless. The message finally is an uplifting but difficult one which does not try to make the burden (Burdan--clever?) of growing up any less grim. Today's young people are going to be faced by a world full of 'deadness', or perhaps a world that seems to have gone insane (this premise was carried out well in the animated film Princess Mononoke, another great YA work.) It is a great effort to bring Ann's innocent voice into a world that would gladdly stomp it out, and yet Z for Zachariah leads us to believe that this is the very challenge of growing up, and makes strong argument for investing in the dreams of young people for tomorrow.
Rating: 
Summary: Not too good
Review: Although several years have passed since I read this book, I remember laughing my head off at how lousy the setup for this book was. The author did not do any homework, or chose to ignore it. As for the insight provided into the psychology of people (mentioned in a previous review), there are MUCH better books available.
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Summary: Not as good as I expected
Review: We had to read this book for English and like most books for english it wasn't as good as it could've been, I was really disappointed with the ending, it was a big let down, the least she could have done was shot him...I really do not like Mr Loomis because he is manipulative. It was alright, although I really wouldn't recommend for people who don't enjoy reading it to read it as it will just put you off reading more...if you want a good book try reading Wilbur Smith or Sidney Sheldon, and if you're a younger teen then go for Sweet Valley High! :)
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Summary: 2/20/00 Review for Z for Zachariah---What I thought
Review: I am a 13 year old girl. For literature class, I read this book. I thought it was very suspensful and thought provoking. It made me rrrreeeeallly think what I would do if I were apparently the last woman on earth. It was kinda freaky when John Loomis came into the scene. He DID make the book exciting, no doubt about that, but it got kinda scary. I thought the book was good, but the author could have left out or included some things.
Rating: 
Summary: So-so Zachariah
Review: I didn't hate this book, but I didn't find it very interesting or uplifting. The book takes place following a nuclear war, where there are only two survivors, Mr. Loomis and Ann. The pace of the book is very slow. It got very tiring dwelling on Mr. Loomis' illness page after page. It was nerve-wracking wondering about his past and Edward's death. I liked Ann as a character, and I think she tried very hard to help him but he was abusive. I don't appreciate having a lead character who is a young girl being treated that way in a novel. It might be real but it's pretty insulting to a reader of the same age and sex. I didn't appreciate the way the story ended, again especially in the way Ann was treated.
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Summary: Z for Zachariah- (don't let the title fool you)
Review: Z for Zachariah is a very interseting book. It makes you want to keep reading. The beginning starts off slow but then after the first Five or so chapters it gradually gets better and better. However, the ending is surprisingly easy to guess what happens. But it still holds your attention because it's well written. The only thing I think is a little awkward is the stupiness of the main character, but that's just my opinion. Still it is a magnificently written book and I would advise you to read it.
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