Pride & Prejudice & Zombies

From Goodreads: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.”
 
So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, an expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton—and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she’s soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers—and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield. Can Elizabeth vanquish the spawn of Satan? And overcome the social prejudices of the class-conscious landed gentry? Complete with romance, heartbreak, swordfights, cannibalism, and thousands of rotting corpses, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies transforms a masterpiece of world literature into something you’d actually want to read.



So, this is the second book I’ve completed this month.  I’m going thru a bit of a reading slump at the moment, but I think I managed to work through it *fingers crossed*.   I actually started this book on *quickly checks Goodreads* January 29th, when I remembered that the movie was coming out soon.  My plan was to finish the book before I saw the movie, but then I got slammed with school work (Who’s bright idea was it to take 2 english/writing courses at the same time?  Oh yeah, mine).  After having anything to do for just over 2 months and then have papers and textbook readings and projects due, it was a little overwhelming at first, but I think I’ve figured it out. Tuesdays and Thursdays are for homework and Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are mine to do with as I will.

Anyway, I didn’t manage to finish before I saw the movie, but luckily this was re-read and since it follows P&P fairly closely I wasn’t too worried about that.

For the book itself,  I really do enjoy this spin-off and how closely Grahame-Smith follows the original novel.  All of the characters original motivators are there.  The zombie plotline actually doesn’t change the actual narrative all that much, simply adds a few lines here and there, as well as adding just another reason to admire Lizzie Bennet.

This book isn’t without humor, for all it’s classical “upbringings”.  Here’s a simple example:

• “Elizabeth and Darcy merely looked at one another in awkward silence, until the latter reached both arms around her. She was frozen-“What does he mean to do?” she thought. But his intentions were respectable, for Darcy merely meant to retrieve his Brown Bess, which Elizabeth had affixed to her back during her walk. She remembered the lead ammunition in her pocket and offered it to him.
  “Your balls, Mr. Darcy?” He reached out and closed her hand around them, and offered,
  “They belong to you, Miss Bennet.” Upon this, their colour changed, and they were forced to look away from one another, lest they laugh.”

Some of the most well-known lines are included as well and most not changed at all, although my fave was changed (for the better, in my opinion)

• “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.”
• “Of all the weapons she had commanded, Elizabeth knew the least of love; and of all the weapons in the world, love was the most dangerous.”

All in all, I thought this book very well done and I hope lovers of the classic pick this up to read and that lovers of PPZ pick this spin-off up for a refreshing new look at an old favourite.

Now for my opinion on the movie.

I I thought the movie was amazing!  The casting was well done ( I started off not liking Sam Riley as Col. Fitz Darcy, but my opinion of him changed as the movie progressed, much like Lizzie’s own feelings for him.  Lily James was a wonderful Lizzie, quick witted, strong, and took shit from no one.  Bingley (Douglas Booth) was lovable from the beginning and you felt so sorry for him at times (don’t want to give too much away ;) ).  Jane (Bella Heathcote) was sweet and charming from the beginning, yet strong in a way I don’t think she was in the original novel, but it was necessary for this movie.  If you weren’t strong, you died.

HOWEVER, they did change the last half of the book for a different plot line.  They reached the same end eventually, but I was not happy with the changes.  I’m not going to go into detail, as I don’t want to spoil it for those who haven’t seen it yet)

That being said, if you don’t judge the movie by the book, it is well done.  I’m definitely going to buy it when the DVD releases and I’m sure I’ll watch it all the time, like I do Pride & Prejudice (2005) now.

Have you seen the movie yet?  What did you think of it?  How about the book?  Did you enjoy the book or movie more?