Salutations Bookworms,
Some things just go together. Coffee and cream. Peanut butter and chocolate. Spaghetti and meatballs. Jane Austen and undead creatures. Yep, I recently enjoyed the audio book version of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
The version I listened to (wahooooo library!) was the second release of the book. It included EXTRA “ultra-violent zombie mayhem.” Alright, alright. You know Pride and Prejudice
The five Miss Bennets have been re-imagined as badass ninjas. In addition to negotiating the niceties of society, they now have to make sure they aren’t eaten alive or stricken with the mysterious ailment that will turn them into flesh-eating monstrosities. Oh yes. And Mr. Darcy keeps making dirty jokes about balls. (We clearly share the same sense of humor.)
Now, there are many out there who are probably outraged at the idea of a beloved classic getting such an irreverent treatment. It didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the original. In fact, I found it cheeky and fun. It was especially amusing to listen to gory zombie scenes read by the most proper of English accents. I happen to think that Ms. Austen would find this version of her novel innovative if nothing else. If you like Jane Austen, zombies, and a heavy dose of ridiculousness, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Tell me something, Bookworms. How do you feel about this sort of classic re-imagining? Yay or nay?
Quirky Chrissy
Nope.
Words For Worms
Ooh I think you’d like it if you gave it a chance. But. If you want a more realistic Austen inspired work, Longbourn by Jo Baker is FABULOUS.
Quirky Chrissy
I just. Can’t. Do it.
AMB
I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it! I haven’t read it, but I’m interested. I’m on the fence about retellings, which often seem more like rip-offs than homages to the original work, but I like it when a derivative novel adds something truly new and valuable to a classic story. So, zombies at Longbourn might work for me!
Words For Worms
It’s funny because it uses SO MUCH of the source material. It’s like you’re just mosey-ing along reaing P&P and WHAM. Zombies.
AMB (Koiviolet)
It’s interesting to hear that it uses so much of the source material. I’m glad that Seth Grahame-Smith actually shared the byline with Jane then. Many authors of derivative works don’t (one example is Margot Livesey’s The Flight of Gemma Hardy, which didn’t even list Charlotte Bronte by name in the acknowledgements… all she said was, “My main literary debt is obvious.”).
Megan M.
Haha! I remember when this book first came into circulation at the library (I was working there at the time.) I was like “What the…” and thought it was completely ridiculous. Then I started reading the first page and was like, “No, wait, this is fantastic!” I haven’t read the whole thing but I can appreciate the creativity.
Words For Worms
Yes! I’m glad you can see the fun in it, even from the first small bit. It’s certainly creative!
Rhian
I’m neither for or against re-imaginings in general, but what I want from such a treatment is for the author to add something new or different to the story. So I’m really enjoying Marissa Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles, but didn’t really like Juliet Marillier’s Daughter of the Forest.
I started reading this, and while I didn’t dislike it, I put it down and haven’t yet picked it up.
Words For Worms
Oh the Lunar Chronicles are SUCH fun, aren’t they?
Rhian
Yes they are. Thank you for recommending them. 🙂
Andi (@estellasrevenge)
I love the idea of a mash up, but I have a hard time reading them (attention span). I think I’d do much better on audio.
Words For Worms
The audio really was a treat, I think it would have been more difficult to tackle in print.
Tiffany @ Avid Reader
I am a huge fan of reimaginations of classics, although I haven’t read this particular one, as long as they are done in good fun. I am not a fan if they are serious and change things in books I love. But I am all about the good fun!
Words For Worms
Most things remain pretty true to P&P. I mean, there are obviously some liberties, but the big stuff all still happens. There are just zombies involved.
ThatAshGirl
I got such a good giggle out of this because there were some scenes that were RIGHT out of the original, right down to the dialogue and then instead of breaking into dance…..ZOMBIES. I thought it was fun. I also enjoyed Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.
Words For Worms
Oh me too! ALVH was a good time.
Cindy
I read it about a year or two ago. I was surprised that I liked it but I don’t remember much about it except the scene where Elizabeth walks to Netherfield when Jane is sick and is fighting off zombies. I may have to listen to it as an audiobook just because. Now I’m off to my library’s websiter to see if they have it available.
Words For Worms
LOL, I hope you listen to it! I think I had more fun with it than I would have otherwise :).
Sarah Says Read
AUDIO. You’re a genius. I was excited when these books came out but I never finished it, which kind of bummed me out, but I bet it would be SO fun on audio!
Words For Worms
Yes! I think the audio really made this fun. It’s so funny when the prim English accent starts talking about guts!
Katie @ Doing Dewey
Oh yeah, I’m glad to hear you liked this! I’ve heard that some of the books in this series feel as though the monster element was just tagged on, but I think I’ve mostly heard good things about this one, so I might give it a try 🙂
Words For Worms
It sort of is just tagged on, but it’s done in such a cheeky way that it works.