Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
The next in our series of Halloween Horror book reviews is this gem from Seth Grahame-Smith; or should I say, this gem from Jane Austen, featuring zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains will be in want of more brains.” The opening line of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies sets the tone for the entire book; mostly Jane Austen, with zombies crammed in. That being said, it actually works rather well! Imagine, if you will (or even can), 18th Century Britain; quiet, quaint and overrun with zombies. However, don’t let the likes of 28 Days Later fool you into thinking these are the crazed and insane type of zombies – oh no, these are the idiotic and sluggish zombies from Night of the Living Dead. Nevertheless, Elizabeth and Jane Bennet get sent to China to learn the art of hacking zombies to pieces, where Elizabeth’s skills are honed to surpass even those of Mr. Darcy!
I think you get the general gist of the novel… To be honest, there’s not a lot more I can say about this book without ruining the bizarre surrealism of the entire thing. A particular highlight I should point out, however, is Charlotte Collins’ early zombification, which causes her steady degeneration into a lisping wreck! What is for sure is that this book will make a fine Halloween present for most people, if perhaps not hardened Austen fans.
