Author Paul Vigna talks about the Guts of The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead fan and Wall St. Journal reporter Paul Vigna has a new book coming out about TWD called Guts: The Anatomy of The Walking Dead and it’s a book TWD fans need to read.

The Walking Dead fans can get caught up on past seasons and get some in depth analysis of what makes the show so meaningful in a new book about The Walking Dead coming out in October.

Guts: The Anatomy of The Walking Dead isn’t like most of the other books that are out about the show. It’s written by a fan who was fascinated by the huge impact that the show has had. And by the way that the show inspires such devotion among the massive fanbase.

In the interest of full disclosure I should mention that both Undead Walking founder Adam Carlson and myself contributed to this book. But the book is excellent, and I’d say that even if I hadn’t contributed to it.

There are a lot of books that have been written about The Walking Dead. But Guts: The Anatomy of The Walking Dead isn’t an academic look at the show and it isn’t a critical piece bemoaning the increasing violence on TV as so many of the books about TWD are.

It’s a balanced look at what the show gets right, what it sometimes gets wrong, and what it is about the show that resonates so deeply with millions of people around the world.

What Paul Vigna Had To Say

I recently got the chance to talk more with Paul Vigna about the book and what he hopes fans will take away from it. Here are some of the highlights of our conversation:

On how the book came about:

"“My agent actually suggested the idea. But the more I thought about it the more I thought it would be a great chance to explore in depth some of the things I’d been thinking about the show for a long time. Like what is it about this show that resonates so deeply with so many people? Aside from the fact that it’s a well made and well produced show of course. But the greater overall resonance that show has is so unusual. As a fan I wanted to get into that and I wanted to connect with other fans and get deeper into that.”"

And the book does that. The book is divided into several different sections that touch on both what’s happened so far in the show and what the significance is of the journey that the characters have been on so far.

Each of the first 7 seasons is recapped in the book. So fans will get to relive the entire journey of the survivors up to the end of season 7.

But there are also sections that explore the technical aspect of bringing the walkers to life and creating the look of the show. And the iconic weaponry of the characters on the show. The book also looks at the best episodes and best moments of the show. And it has some analysis of where the show could have done better. There’s also input from cast members like Ann Mahoney, Kerry Cahill, Xander Berkely and Andrew Lincoln.

Team Family or Team Negan?

"Paul said: “I’m an Alexandrian. I’m Grimes Family all the way. But I am avoiding all spoilers, photos, and previews of season 8. I want to go into season 8 with a clean slate and no preconceptions.”"

On The New Characters That Have Joined The Show

"“On a show like this it’s such a tricky balancing act to create characters that aren’t just “red shirts” that are going to die. Of course, all the characters are going to die at some point. But there have been some really great new characters introduced like Jesus and Ezekiel and the show has done a good job so far of getting fans really interested in those characters as well as the originals. Hopefully they will be around for awhile.”"

On Walker Stalker Con

"“As much as I thought I understood the impact of the show I didn’t get it until I went to a Walker Stalker Con. I loved just talking to other fans about the show and what it means to them. And I couldn’t have imagined before I went what an incredibly positive and family-friendly vibe the con had. It was so positive. The interaction between the fans and the cast was so genuine. “"

What He Wants Fans To Take Away From The Book

"“I hope people get that this is one fan who wants to have a conversation with other fans about the show. I’m using the printed page as a medium, but if it were possible I’d have an open forum to have a bigger conversation about the show and what it means to fans.”"

More from Undead Walking

• Walking Dead alum Jayson Warner Smith promotes new film, Chipper, watch it now
• Walking Dead actor Chandler Riggs filming new movie in Tampa Bay
• Why is there no season 12 of The Walking Dead?
• Will Morgan Jones find Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live spinoff?
• Watch Tales of TWD actress Jillian Bell in Prime Video’s Candy Cane Lane

Guts: The Anatomy of The Walking Dead is available on October 3. Big thanks to Paul Vigna for talking with me and for including Undead Walking in this book. We’re proud to be part of it.

You can be part of the fan conversation by following Paul on Twitter:

@paulvigna and @GutsTWDBook. Or on FB: http://www.facebook.com/GutsTWDbook

You can pre-order the book now on Amazon.

Or you can pick up the book and get it signed by Paul at New York Comic Con or at Walker Stalker Con Atlanta.