Thursday, May 28, 2009

Attention P&P Lovers!

I finally got to start reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and I cannot stop laughing. Out loud.

It's really that funny--especially if you're familiar enough with the novel to recognize Austen's original lines. And not only does author Seth Grahame-Smith weave the zombie plot into the original storyline of P&P, he also changes some of the characters' polite reactions and interactions into ones more along the lines of what they were probably thinking but couldn't express in genteel company. And he matches Austen's high diction while doing it.

Here are some passages to whet your appetite:

"'She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.'

As Mr. Darcy walked off, Elizabeth felt her blood run cold. She had never in her life been so insulted. The warrior code demanded she avenge her honour. Elizabeth reached down to her ankle, taking care not to draw attention. There, her hand met the dagger concealed beneath her dress. She meant to follow this proud Mr. Darcy outside and open his throat."

*******

"'Pride,' observed Mary, who piqued herself upon the solidity of her reflections, 'is a very common failing I believe. By all that I have ever read, I am convinced that it is very common indeed.'

Elizabeth could not help but roll her eyes as Mary continued."

*******

And the author bio on the back of the book?

"JANE AUSTEN is the author of Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, and other masterpieces of English literature. SETH GRAHAME-SMITH once took a class in English literature. He lives in Los Angeles."

It's just too much fun. You gotta read it.

3 comments:

Jonathan G. Reinhardt said...

And then there's the rest of us, who side with the earlier Darcy and think he should've kept on shunning Elizabeth because she really is insufferable and should've gotten on his horse and left forever... but I guess that would mean the book wouldn't sell.

Stephanie said...

Come on, JGR, give Lizzie a break!

Ash said...

Wow...I gotta read that! Just finished P&P.

And Elizabeth is NOT insufferable.