Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Calendar April 23, 2009 | Posted by Heather
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
The majority of which written was by Jane Austen.  Zombie tidbits contributed by Seth Grahame-Smith.
Quirk Books, 2009

I’ve been trying to review books in the order read, but since everyone seems curious about it, I’m going to jump ahead and review PPZ.  I hope you don’t mind.

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.”

Honestly, as soon as I read that infamous, but now rewritten, opening line, I was delighted.  Yes, I’ve read Pride and Prejudice and own multiple copies.  Yes, I’ve seen all the movies.  Yes, I have just as big a crush on Mr. Darcy as the next girl.  And it did not bother me one bit that it’s been expanded to “feature all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem.”  You see, I’m a pretty huge nerd sometimes and this did nothing but create in me a desperate knowledge that I just HAD to read it and make me pre-order it like any zombie loving girl would.  *Please note; I bought this.  I did not get an advanced reader from Quirk and I had no idea of the ruckus they caused.*

 Over at the Wikipedia entry for this book, you will find the timeline of its existence, from conception to completion. (Just be careful if you go to the link, they have a rather detailed summary of the book, don’t read it if you don’t want the book spoiled.)  I find this quote from Grahame-Smith as to how Pride and Prejudice was perfect for this mash-up:

“You have this fiercely independent heroine, you have this dashing heroic gentleman, you have a militia camped out for seemingly no reason whatsoever nearby, and people are always walking here and there and taking carriage rides here and there,” he said. “It was just ripe for gore and senseless violence. From my perspective anyway.” Goodwin, Liz (2009-03-31). “Monsters vs. Jane Austen”.

Basically he took the original Pride and Prejudice manuscript and added in zombies, ninjas, and lots of death.  The Bennet girls are now proficient killers.  Lady Catherine de Bourgh is one of the best zombie killers employed by the crown.  Mr. Darcy’s hotness now includes lots of zombie-butt kicking action.  Mr. Collins is still a simpering idiot.  All the romance, social prejudice and misunderstandings are still there.  I won’t tell you who among the original cast becomes a zombie or who is maimed for life by Mr. Darcy *** SPOILER ALERT!!!!! *** (and by God, that person deserved it and I always felt it was sorely lacking in the original!).  End spoiler alert!  You will just have to read it yourself.   Suffice it to say, I greatly enjoyed this zombie, 19th century comedies of manners mash-up and if you have a skewed sense of humor, enjoy zombie mayhem or just want something very different, I think you will too.

Also reviewed by:

Becky’s Book Reviews | A Comfy Chair and a Good Book | Literary License | Book Nook Club | books i done read | Revilious Reviews | Once Upon a Bookshelf | Sassymonkey Reads |

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Let's Pause…

Calendar June 17, 2008 | Posted by Heather

So, I decided Sunday that I needed a little change of pace.   I went through several books, reading only the first few pages, but nothing was grabbing me.  I was beginning to fear that my Book ADD was going to kick in when I picked up Emma by Jane Austen.  I have tried several times to read various other Austen books.   I don’t know if a) the timing was off or 2) I was afraid they would all pale in comparsion to Pride and Prejudice, but P&P remains the only Austen I have ever made it all the way through.  I have often thought I would enjoy Emma because 1) I LOVED the movie Clueless, which is loosely based on Emma and b) it just sounds good.  And luckily, so far it’s sticking.

There is one thing however I’ve noticed about Ms. Austen’s work.  She seems overly fond of the dramatic pause.  Commas, semicolons, hyphens…they all run rampant through this book.  For example:

The event had every promise of happiness for her friend. Mr. Weston was a man of unexceptionable character, easy fortune, suitable age and pleasant manners; and there was some satisfaction in considering with what self-denying, generous friendship she had always wished and promoted the match; but it was a black morning’s work for her. The want of Miss Taylor would be felt every hour of every day. She recalled her past kindness — the kindness, the affection of sixteen years — how she had taught and how she had played with her from five years old — how she had devoted all her powers to attach and amuse her in health — and how nursed her through the various illnesses of childhood. A large debt of gratitude was owing here; but the intercourse of the last seven years, the equal footing and perfect unreserve which had soon followed Isabella’s marriage on their being left to each other, was yet a dearer, tenderer recollection. It had been a friend and companion such as few possessed, intelligent, well-informed, useful, gentle, knowing all the ways of the family, interested in all its concerns, and peculiarly interested in herself, in every pleasure, every scheme of her’s; — one to whom she could speak every thought as it arose, and who had such an affection for her as could never find fault.

I think under normal circumstances such writing would bother me.  It’s Jane though!  Hopefully I can stomach it. I mean, whatever*, right.  As if,* I could write half so well.

* Get it?

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