Taking Austen's original story, Grahame-Smith has woven in a satirical and highly entertaining subplot of zombies.
Not just zombies, however. While character Elizabeth Bennet remains the same proud, obstinate young woman of Austen's novel, in this revision she is also a well trained warrior, as are her sisters.
They have travelled to China (which comes up often under the theme of prejudice) and learned under a fighting master how best to vanquish foes. So it is with zealous devotion that Elizabeth seeks out and kills all the zombies of her little country village.
The New Women in Pride and Prejudice
Perhaps what is so fascinating about this new version is the light of strength and independence it paints the women in. While Elizabeth was often the more "mature" of her sisters in the original, in this she is even more clearly so, as the protector of not only the family but of the village.
Her relationship with Mr. Darcy hinges not only on their mutual attraction and developing friendship, but also on the fact that they are equals in the killing of zombies. Elizabeth's personality quirks are certainly brought to the forefront when she exalts in the killing of "satan's spawn", going so far as to paint the blood of a vanquished zombie on her face as she chops off its head.
The rest of the Bennet sisters are very similar to their original creations, although much is made of the fact that the youngest are not only frivolous and empty headed, but fully incapable of putting their training from the Orient into use to protect themselves and others. Jane, the eldest, is lucky enough to be both highly profiecent in killing skills as well as married to a wonderful man who, although he is deficient in the killing arts himself, is both kind and gentle.
There is an absurd amount of violence throughout the novel, most of it tailored around the zombie menace throughout England. But alongside the violence is the absurdity of the situations developed through pride; Elizabeth ties a "modesty cord" around her ankles so that her dress will not show anything improper while she does a one-handed hand stand for the duration of a dinner party.
The language is pure Austen, but the morbidly funny situations are all Grahame-Smith. While purists will groan at the satirization of such a classic, anyone interested in classics and revisionist study will find this novel a funny, clever new take on what remains a deeply entertaining story about the impressions we make and keep hold of, even when they are clearly no longer valid.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Grahame-Smith. Quirk Books, 2009. ISBN: 978-1-59474-334-4
 |
