I bought this book on the recommendation of a co-worker in my school’s English department. She knows of my novel (even though I haven’t asked her to read it – yet), so in general conversation one morning, she spoke of this novel.

Immediately intrigued, I had to know more. She went on to discuss how this unknown author had taken the Jane Austen classic and adapted it to include zombies. Many of the people I surveyed, refused to read this book because it was trash in their mind’s eye. Their beloved Jane Austen had been defamed and made a mockery by such an adaptation.

Ironically, I had purchased another copy of Pride and Prejudice not even three months prior to finding out about this book. I wanted to re-read it as it had been SO LONG since I read it and I was hoping for a good classic story. I question whether or not I should have read the original before reading this version. Many of the plot points were foggy in my mind as I read this version, but I can honestly say, the story line is basically the same.

This book went rather quickly for me, but I will admit, I did a lot of skimming. I didn’t read every paragraph word for word. I have a stack of books I want to get through, and this novel just did not hold my attention as I had hoped it would. I found myself searching for more scenes where zombies were involved or learning of the mysterious plague that had taken over much of England. I loved the drawings that were in the novel, as they gave my mind a break to confirm that what I had visualized was what was being described.

With all the novels I have read recently, being told in the first person perspective (mine as well), it was hard for me to stay focused as the novel changed from inside of Elizabeth’s mind to others. Maybe it was just me, but I find I prefer the 1st person narrative as I know who’s head I’m in at all times. It limits what you find out, but it makes you see through one perspective and one only (unless we trade people as was done in Breaking Dawn – YUCK! I hated that part of the story!).

Even though this story was slow for me, I loved the way the author intertwined the zombies into various scenes. If there was a scene he could add violence to, it was done, yet done in a manner that showed you the times had changed the people that had been fighting the zombies. I love how he made Charlotte an integral role in understanding more about zombies and the ferocity in Elizabeth as she handles Lady Catherine towards the end.

Not a terrible book, but not a great one either. For only 300+ pages, it seemed to drag in many places. If you are in the skimming mood, go for it. Maybe after all my other books are read and I re-read the original, I might pick this book up again. I’ll wear it as I wear my Pride and Prejudice and Zombies t-shirt I bought at Hot Topic!

Not a lecture. Just a thought.
xoxo
Nat