Archive for March, 2010

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls – A Review

 

clip_image002[4]

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.” So began the original “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” (from Quirk Classics), an expanded edition of the classic Regency romance, now with ultraviolent zombie mayhem. ‘PPZ’ is a delightful literary mash-up, combining the timeless love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy with an unstoppable army of the walking dead. I’ll be the first to admit that I was never a fan of Jane Austen’s romantic comedy novel (please forgive me, Miss Boggs), but when you throw in some zombies… I mean ‘unmentionables’ (one doesn’t use the Zed word in polite company)… you have to wonder why no one thought of this before. It’s an idea of pure genius: Take a masterpiece of classic literature that isn’t for everyone, add in a popular genre element (while staying faithful to the source material), and you get a bonafide international pop culture phenomenon that you actually want to read.

“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls” (by Steve Hockensmith) is a prequel set four years before the horrific events of ‘PPZ’. Four years before Jane Bennet caught the eye of Mr. Bingley, and four years before the verbal sparring of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. As the story opens, the Bennet sisters enjoy a peaceful life in the English countryside and know nothing of the ‘dreadfuls’ or the ‘deadly arts’, but all of that is about to change due to shocking events during a funeral at the local parish. “Walking out in the middle of a funeral would be, of course, bad form. So attempting to walk out on one’s own would be beyond the pale.” Soon, corpses are climbing out of the earth, and there’s only one family that can stop them. Witness the birth of a heroine as Elizabeth Bennet transforms from a naïve teenager into a savage, yet disciplined, warrior. Of course, it wouldn’t be a ‘Pride and Prejudice’ story if there wasn’t romance. Elizabeth attracts the attention of two suitors: Master Hawksworth – the powerful warrior tasked with training the Bennet girls, and Dr. Keckilpenny – the man who believes he can defeat the dreadful with science instead of strength. Can either man win Elizabeth’s heart? Or will their hearts be part of the feast for the army of the undead?

To all the Jane Austen purists out there, I can promise you that these books are not blasphemy. Each character is true to how you know and love them. To all the readers out there that would never EVER pick up a Jane Austen book, you should give these a chance. This isn’t your usual ‘classic’ literature. Never has Regency England been more fun. “Dawn of the Dreadfuls” has everything one could want in a book: comedy, action, romance… and zombies. What’s not to love?

For more information on “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls”, visit (http://quirkclassics.com/index.php?q=dawnofthedreadfuls)

Also, visit (http://quirkclassics.com/index.php?q=QuirkClassicsContest_DOD_Reviews) and mention that you heard about “Dawn of the Dreadfuls” from “S.J.’s Guide to Life” and you’ll be entered to win one of 50 Quirk Classics Prize Packs, each with a retail value of more than $100. Each pack includes:

· An advance copy of “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls”

· Audio Books of “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” and “Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters”

· A password redeemable online for sample audio chapters from “Dawn of the Dreadfuls”

· An awesome “Dawn of the Dreadfuls” poster

· A “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” journal

· A box set of “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” postcards

Also check out:

Quirk Classics website (http://www.quirkclassics.com)

“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” (http://www.quirkclassics.com/index.php?q=node/pride-prejudice-zombies-deluxe)

“Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters” (http://www.quirkclassics.com/index.php?q=senseandsensibilityandseamonsters)

, , , , , , ,

No Comments