Author: Steve Hockensmith
Publication date: March 2010
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
From the publishers:
With more than one million copies in print, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was the surprise publishing phenomenon of 2009. A best seller on three continents, PPZ has been translated into 17 languages and optioned to become a film starring Natalie Portman.In this terrifying and hilarious prequel, we witness the genesis of the zombie plague in early-nineteenth-century England. We watch Elizabeth Bennet evolve from a naïve young teenager into a savage slayer of the undead. We laugh as she begins her first clumsy training with nunchucks and katana swords and cry when her first blush with romance goes tragically awry. Written by acclaimed novelist (and Edgar Award nominee) Steve Hockensmith, PPZII invites Austen fans to step back into Regency England, Land of the Undead!STEVE HOCKENSMITH is an award-winning novelist and reporter. His mystery Holmes on the Range was a finalist for the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony awards. He lives in Alameda, California.
My thoughts:
This is my first official zombie book, but not my first experience with Jane Austen. I always thought that Jane Austen was a little difficult and far fetched for the kinds of readers that I like to recommend books for, but this was a hilarious and gruesome romp through stuffy England.
The book starts quietly with the funeral of Mr. Ford, and quickly turns into chaos when Mr. Ford, new zombie, tries to haul himself out of the casket and wriggle towards all the yummy brains waiting for him in the chapel. Mr. Bennet and his two older daughters, Elizabeth and Jane, must try to destroy the zombie by cutting off its head. Mr. Bennet wants his daughters to cut off Mr. Ford's head, and although the two girls fail, this is the beginning of the creation of memorable heroines and samurai killing machines disguised as young ladies.
Who knew that the addition of zombies would make Austen so accessible? This book is a nice mixture of humor, gore, excitement, love, disappointment, horror and fun! The author takes the stuffy social mores of Austen's England and mixes it with the blood spurting scenes common in old samurai movies, the ones that are so cheesy that they are classics.
The book starts quietly with the funeral of Mr. Ford, and quickly turns into chaos when Mr. Ford, new zombie, tries to haul himself out of the casket and wriggle towards all the yummy brains waiting for him in the chapel. Mr. Bennet and his two older daughters, Elizabeth and Jane, must try to destroy the zombie by cutting off its head. Mr. Bennet wants his daughters to cut off Mr. Ford's head, and although the two girls fail, this is the beginning of the creation of memorable heroines and samurai killing machines disguised as young ladies.
Who knew that the addition of zombies would make Austen so accessible? This book is a nice mixture of humor, gore, excitement, love, disappointment, horror and fun! The author takes the stuffy social mores of Austen's England and mixes it with the blood spurting scenes common in old samurai movies, the ones that are so cheesy that they are classics.
I especially enjoyed the illustrations that gave it a black and white horror picture vibe. The only drawback was in the horrendous disappointment of all the men. Couldn't there be just one honorable, strong, non-loser man? The closest is Mr. Bennet, but he has his faults too. I can't wait to read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies to see how the girls are doing.
In a sentence. . .
This mash up is prim little Austen with serious feminine rage!
* I was given this book by FSB Associates in exchange for an honest review.
4 comments:
This was my first mash-up too and it was so much fun. I had sort of turned up my nose to the whole craze, but when the chance to review it came up, I thought why not.
It certainly makes Austen a bit more palatable and if it gets more people reading, I am all for it.
Did this make you want to read the others? I sure do now:)
I have yet to read a mashup but your very well done review leans me toward making this my first one
Gwen and mel u,
I'm a total newbie, thanks for letting me know it's called a mashup. I am eager to read more.
i know a few of mash-ups but never read any of those yet.your review is good and i am so looking forward to read one. =)
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