... must be in want of any kind of Jane Austen spinoff, right?
Well, friends and neighbors, not if that spinoff is Seth Grahame-Smith's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (even if it IS "the classic regency romance--now with ultraviolent zombie mayhem."). I've had it home, I laughed at the title, I read the first few chapters, I looked at the pictures (which were quite well done, actually), I laughed at the author's blurb ("Seth Grahame-Smith once took a class in English literature. He lives in Los Angeles."), I was done.
I'll admit I don't want to read any more because I'm jealous that I didn't have the idea (the New York Times bestseller list idea that it turned out to be) first. But I also don't want to read it because I've never been a huge fan of the old genreblenders, or satire, or whatever you want to call it. Mainly because, of course, it's just a mishmash of the original with some zombie bits. Consider the scene where Darcy first slights Elizabeth Bennet at a ball:
"'Which do you mean?' and turning round he [Darcy] looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said, 'She is tolerable, but not handsome enought 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 turn 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." (pp. 13-14.)
Uh, yeah. Not for me.* It's been getting good reviews and all and they don't seem to mind it over at the AustenBlog, but if I have time to spend with Jane, I think I'll just re-read Persuasion, thanks.
*It wasn't for Christine Merrill, either. If I haven't convinced you, read her much funnier review.
I have to say I enjoyed it, but not when I was eating (I have a tendency to eat and read). The best part is when it references something along the lines of Elizabeth having Mr. Darcy's balls in her hand. That alone was worth it for me! And I agree with you on the illustrations. Oh! And the whole reasoning behind Charlotte marrying Mr. Collins? Brilliantly done in this version as it gives you more of a reason than she was getting on in years and didn't want to be a burden!
Posted by: Erin | 19 June 2009 at 01:20 PM
Erin,
I think you're definitely in the majority on this one; I've been reading more positive reviews than not. But it just wasn't for me. Partly because, I guess, of all the ways for me to visualize Mr. Darcy (and I do), his balls just never make an appearance, and I prefer it that way. Evidently I do belong more in Austen's age than this one. :)
As noted, mainly I was jealous I hadn't thought of this way to capitalize on Austen. But capitalizing in any way has never been my strong point, I'll admit.
I loved your comment re: eating and reading it--I took it along for a visit to the in-laws, where my young (5-year-old) nephew also was, and Mr. CR kept hiding the book because he didn't want the young 'un to see it and have nightmares!
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 19 June 2009 at 01:26 PM
This is nice to hear, because I was supposed to get a review copy and they never sent it to me, even after I advertised it for them in my blog. I feel like I'm the only person in the blogiverse to be left out. Oh well, I'm sure I have better things to read.
Posted by: Jessica | 19 June 2009 at 01:32 PM
Hey, for once we agree EXACTLY on fiction! (I guess we dislike the same fiction, it's just that we can't agree on what we DO like.) Your review echoes my thoughts to the word. I don't have a single thing to add, and this way I don't have to bother with generating an original review on my own blog.
Posted by: lesbrarian | 19 June 2009 at 02:58 PM
I enjoyed this book. As much as I like Austen, she can be dull at times. "P&P&Z" was funny, even if it's nothing more than a novelty book.
Posted by: Brandon | 23 June 2009 at 04:16 PM
Lesbrarian,
Hey, look at us! What we don't like will bring us closer. Do go read the other anti-review; I think you'll enjoy what she has to say.
Brandon,
I'm glad you liked it. It's still largely Jane Austen, after all. It just turns out I'm a little more girly than I thought--evidently I get annoyed when you fool too much with either my chick flick plotlines or my Jane Austen. And I've never been into ninjas--I still haven't seen "Kill Bill."
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 25 June 2009 at 08:47 AM