Now that I’ve gotten through the library books that I can’t renew, I returned today to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I still had warm memories from the first ten pages I read a couple weeks ago so I was predisposed to like it. But the more I read, the more I found myself cringing inside. Sometimes the author lifts lines straight from Jane. While there is a twinge of pleasurable recognition, I don’t think it was a good idea to do because those lines stand out against the rather plain and sometimes stilted prose of the author. Or maybe his prose is fine if Jane’s weren’t in the text alongside it for comparison because really, there aren’t many who can write prose that can stand up to hers.
The thought of Elizabeth Bennet having trained in China with a Shaolin monk is amusing, but instead of playing the typical unassuming character you would never in a million years think was a Kung Fu Master, she has turned into a rather violent and coarse character who enjoys flaunting propriety. And while the real Lizzy could be rather pert, she never thumbs her nose at what is proper. So all in all there is a sort of discordant sensation while I am reading the book and it gets worse the more I read.
I am at the point now where I am wondering if I should keep going for just a little while longer–one more bus commute to and from work–in hopes that it really will turn out to be over-the-top campy fun since Mr. Collins will be showing up soon, or if I should give up on it now and possibly save myself from a painful day of reading tomorrow. Decisions, decisions.
I just happened upon your blog, and since I love reading (and reading about reading, and making lists of books to read, etc.
I added you to my Google reader. I went through a stage of reading a lot of Austen-themed books and sequels … they are fun, but inevitably leave me feeling a bit let down. I will be interested to hear your final take on this one (if you continue). Life is too short to read a lot of mediocre books, but I too struggle with when to give up on a book!
I have this one and I’m also hoping for camptastic fun, but I do kind of wish it was s straightforward rewrite that didn’t incorporate any of the original text.
Oh give Mr Collins a whirl. But if the author cannot make such prime material as he represents into a jolly zombie farce, then give it up.
If Mr. Collins is a zombie and Lizzy gets to destroy him, I might consider reading on. Otherwise, I’d be worried the next time I pick up Pride and Prejudice that my usual blissful visit to the Bennett household would be tainted forever.
As I’m not an Austen fan, I never felt like reading this book, although the cover image and idea look interesting. Sad to hear it wasn’t executed very well.
It has its bright moments…Lady Catherine serious rocks. But overall you can tell that it was written by someone who neither loves nor appreciates Austen’s work. I found it fun in its own way, but it wasn’t nearly as awesome as it could have been.
I’ve been on the fence about starting this book. As a serious Austen fan I’ve been hesitant to (as verbivore puts it) have my returns to Meryton and the Bennets tainted. Reading a subpar adaptation with zombies seems a waste of time when one could just read the glorious original (that said, a zombie-infested adaptation that is not subpar would be fine!
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Hmm. Always a dilemma. I have suffered through some less-than-stellar books lately simply because I want to know what happens (and because they were easy, quick reads) but I am totally of the mind that if you don’t like the book, no need to hang on any longer than your interest. One more bus ride wouldn’t hurt, right?
I had to laugh when you said you had warm memories in light of the subject being flesh eating zombies!
I had this mental image of warm, bloody flesh. Good luck with it whatever you decide. I’d be curious to see how he handles the scene between Lizzy and Lady Catherine de Bourgh! 
Hi Janell, welcome! you are right, life is too short and the good books too many to waste time on a bad one! I usually don’t have too much of a struggle giving up on a book I am not clicking with, but I wanted to like this one. Sigh.
Jodie, having pieces of the original text in it was a bad idea. There is also lots of summarizing of the P&P plot as though someone reading the book would never have read the original Austen! The camp factor is sadly low.
Litlove, “jolly zombie farce” made me laugh!
Verbivore, Mr. Collins is not a zombie, alas. At least not yet. There is always time and hope! I don’t think anything could possibly taint the original.
Jeane, the cover image gives me the creeps so I had to put a sticky note over it to cover it up a bit!
Sassymonkey, good to know! I think then that I will skim it that way the slow bits go by faster.
Inkslinger, Im not worried about taint and the book has such potential, but from the sound of what Sassymonkey said it doesn’t really live up to it. Too bad too.
Daphne, I’ve decided it will be a few more bus rides. I’m going to stick it out to the end.
Danielle, lol, I didn’t think about that! There were some exploding zombie brains when Lizzy kicked one in the head. I might just have to skip to the Lizzy and Lady Catherine scene!
This does sound like a book that’s a great idea, but not necessarily great to read for the entire length of a novel. Perhaps it could have been a short story somehow? Anyway, I can see how the idea might get old really quickly. I hope either it’s gotten better, or that you’ve happily moved on to something else.