When I heard this book was being released in the US my envy knew no bounds. It was all I could do to restrain myself from spending a small fortune importing a copy. And I didn't even have a work-related jolly I could use as an excuse to visit the US and purchase my very own. Subsequently, as is the way of things when you have mind as small as mine, the undoubted delights of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies got pushed further back in my cerebrum, being overtaken by newer, shinier exciting things.
So, imagine my delight when tearing open my birthday presents a few weeks ago I was confronted by a zombified Georgian Lady. Lets face it, any book that starts with the immortal line 'It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains', is gonna rock! Let me tell you, this book does not disappoint!
This modern adaption of Jane Austen's classic by Seth Grahame-Smith remains startlingly faithful to the original text. Grahame-Smith elegantly twists the storyline in a marvel of storytelling. The characters, from the headstrong Elizabeth to the arrogant Mr Darcy or the prattling Mrs Bennett, are exactly as Austen originally wrote them, it just so happens the world in which they inhabit is also populated by the 'sorry stricken' who potter round hunting for more brains and generally causing all kinds of mischief. The way zombies, ninja's, and all manner of other things you'd never expect to see in a Jane Austen novel, are worked into the text is done so with incredible dexterity. For example:
This book has jumped straight into my must read list. The idea of throwing zombies at a Jane Austen novel is brilliant in it's own right, but when it is done in such a careful and thorough manner the end result is a wonder to behold. Everyone, and I mean everyone, should read this.
So, imagine my delight when tearing open my birthday presents a few weeks ago I was confronted by a zombified Georgian Lady. Lets face it, any book that starts with the immortal line 'It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains', is gonna rock! Let me tell you, this book does not disappoint!
This modern adaption of Jane Austen's classic by Seth Grahame-Smith remains startlingly faithful to the original text. Grahame-Smith elegantly twists the storyline in a marvel of storytelling. The characters, from the headstrong Elizabeth to the arrogant Mr Darcy or the prattling Mrs Bennett, are exactly as Austen originally wrote them, it just so happens the world in which they inhabit is also populated by the 'sorry stricken' who potter round hunting for more brains and generally causing all kinds of mischief. The way zombies, ninja's, and all manner of other things you'd never expect to see in a Jane Austen novel, are worked into the text is done so with incredible dexterity. For example:
"His misfortunes!" repeated Darcy contemptuously; "Yes, his misfortunes have been great indeed." With this, he swept her feet from beneath her and sprang to his own. Elizabeth was too quick to allow him the advantage, for she was soon upright and swinging the poker at him with renewed vigor.
This book has jumped straight into my must read list. The idea of throwing zombies at a Jane Austen novel is brilliant in it's own right, but when it is done in such a careful and thorough manner the end result is a wonder to behold. Everyone, and I mean everyone, should read this.
