PUBLICATION DATE: APRIL 1, 2009

hat happens when you take classic literature and strategically insert zombies into the text? You end up with something akin to Seth Grahame-Smith’s Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Now, by even being interested in this title, I am revealing that I am a closet Jane Austen fan, having read nearly her entire library during my senior year of high school. I’m such a purist, in fact, that I have refused to watch any of the film adaptations, preferring the stuffier BBC versions instead. So, I’m not quite sure what made me think picking up this book was a good idea. Maybe it’s my newfound love for zombie films, comics, and video games. Maybe I just wanted to see how in the world someone could have theaudacity to mess with classic literature in such a brash manner. Whatever it was, I’m glad I picked it up.

Not unlike Zombieland or I Am Legend or 28 Days Later (or any number of zombie stories), as the book opens, Meryton has already fallen to a mysterious plague. This plague, of course, causes the dead to return to life with an appetite for brain matter. This is particularly interesting, given that the story is taking place during the prim and proper Regency era, utilizing the locales, language, and customs of the day. Amidst all the mayhem, Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombies while being equally distracted by the fetching, yet exasperating Mr. Darcy. Hilarity ensues.

What is so fun about this book is that much of the original tale is left intact. Sure, some things had to hit the cutting room floor. Surprisingly though, most of the original content is still there with zombies and zombie battling inserted for good measure.

As a purist, I’m am flabbergasted that I enjoyed this so much. In a way, I had hoped it would fall flat on its face. But, it didn’t. In fact, there were several times during the reading that zombies would show up and eat someone and I’d think, “Oh yeah. I’m not reading the original.” The attention to detail is delightful and the fact that Grahame-Smith did not bastardize much of the content is quite impressive, given that he “once took a class in English literature.”

If you’re looking for some classic (and fun) reading, then I suggest Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. With one caveat. If you have never read the original story, then I suggest avoiding the title until you have. Reading the original makes for a much richer experience.

–C.E. Moore

ride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith is a new spin on a beloved classic. The insufferable Mr. Darcy wastes no time in working his lack of charm on Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth is offended by his behavior and rumors of his past. She spurns him and focuses wholly on her heart’s desire: slaying zombies. The plague of the unmentionables has swept the land, leaving many defenseless in its wake. While many women are still setting their sights on the goal of marriage, Elizabeth finds there can be no higher calling than that of slaying the undead – that is, until the rumors of Mr. Darcy’s past are learned to be untrue. On top of wrestling with the unmentionables, now she must battle with her budding feelings for this dashing man. Both her heart and her sword lead her to new places as she is driven by her ambition for more.

I don’t want to blow anyone’s mind, but I’ve discovered the secret formula for writing killer adaptations. This formula is what sets this novel apart from the other books written for shock value. Hold your breath, here it comes. Stay as true as you can to the original story. Had Mr. Grahame-Smith taken too many liberties with the base dialogue and the classic story, I would have sent him for beheading with the rest of the unmentionables straight away. In a manner I’m still unsure of, the author gently led me down the familiar road of Jane Austen’s story instead of pushing zombies in my face. Not once did he run the risk of compromising the true intrigue of the story – the love and hate between Bennet and Darcy. Had he tried to make the shock of zombies the star of the show, the entire piece would have failed miserably. And forgive me, but zombies are hardly shocking anymore. I found myself in fact wishing for yet more chances for Elizabeth to use her cunning sword instead of listening to Lydia’s inane ramblings on the societal privileges of marriage.

For die-hard Austen fans, I know you hate the book already just by looking at the cover. However, I urge you to give it a read. You still whole-heartedly hate Darcy in the beginning and are slowly swept in by him (and his most English parts) by the end. In fact, adding a sword covered in zombie blood perhaps makes him all the more handsome in my book. For zombie fans, you know you’ve already been curious, despite the high-fastened bodices. Crack it open. It’ll up your IQ at the very least.

–Mary Twomey