Rating: 4 stars (Spotlight Review)

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is an ingenious combination of a timeless classic and the undead. As a mysterious plague spreads through small villages in England, Zombies, aka unmentionables, roam the land looking for brains to feast upon.

Seth Grahame-Smith did an amazing job. Jane Austin’s voice and style was emulated perfectly, making Grahame-Smith’s contributions seamless. For the classic lover, the book remains true to the original, no major plot points were changed or omitted -- only improved. For instance, at the ball where Elizabeth and her sisters meet Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley “unmentionables” crash the party, killing the unlucky few standing too close to the windows. Luckily, the Bennet sisters were able to form the “pentagram of death”, pulling daggers from their ankle straps, deftly disposing of the menace and restoring gaiety.

Grahame-Smith was also kind enough to provide explanations for many of the things that were left unsaid, such as the only reason Charlotte Lucas married that self-important windbag, Mr. Collins, was because she was bitten by a zombie and would be changing soon; leaving her little opportunity to wait for Mr. Right. Strangely, only Elizabeth notices Charlotte’s slow metamorphosis. Months later, when Elizabeth goes to visit Charlotte, she is shocked at the transformation of her friend and the lack of recognition on the part of everyone else; as she put it “Mr. Collins, apparently had no idea that his wife was three-quarters dead”, despite Charlotte’s gray skin, sores covering her body and slurred, labored speech: “Wady Caferine is most…delightful… nay-bah”. In Charlotte’s defense, despite the fact that she’s putrefying from the inside out, she still manages to perform her wifely duties and keep her craving for brains fairly under control; quite inspiring, I thought.

Throughout the book, there is much talk of who is the most gifted and highly trained killer. The Bennet sisters were of lower class opportunity and therefore trained by a master in China. However, Lady Catherine in all of her wealth was able to attend the best dojo in Japan, holding herself out to be the most advanced killer in all of England. When the Collins’ and Elizabeth join Lady Catherine for dinner, in addition to Elizabeth enduring Lady Catherine’s humiliation regarding her lack of musical and artistic talent etc., Grahame-Smith elaborates on the scene describing Charlotte, in her advanced rotting state, “groaning” her way through the meal, flinging soup all over herself trying to get some in her mouth. Absolutely priceless. Looking to further belittle Elizabeth, Lady Catherine, challenges her to fight her three best ninjas -- which of course Elizabeth makes quick work of, putting Lady Catherine in her place.

I wish PP&Z was around when I was in high school, it would have been less painful than having to read Pride and Prejudice at that age. I’m all for humor, but was happy to see the writing wasn’t an over-the-top attempt at a laugh. Short of the running joke regarding “balls” (the dance), such as holding balls and the argument as to whether balls shall be public or private – Elizabeth stating her preference that balls be public – the level of satire was perfect. I can’t wait to see what Quirk Books comes out with next; perhaps Wuthering Heights with werewolves?
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Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Quirk Books (April 8, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1594743344