Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem!

By: Seth Grahame-Smith, Jane Austen

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains." So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, an expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem.

As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton - and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she's soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers - and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield as Elizabeth wages war against hordes of flesh-eating undead. Can she vanquish the spawn of Satan? And overcome the social prejudices of the class-conscious landed gentry?

Complete with romance, heartbreak, swordfights, cannibalism, and thousands of rotting corpses, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies transforms a masterpiece of world literature into something you'd actually want to hear.

This Heirloom Edition of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies includes a new preface by the author, an afterword by Dr. Allen Grove, professor of English literature at Alfred University, and new scenes of gratuitous zombie mayhem.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2009 Quirk Books (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[Seth Grahame-Smith] has taken the merry world established by a 19th-century literary lady, added a scourge of reanimated corpses, and created...well, a pop cultural phenomenon, certainly, and one that has stirred up a lot of excitement. But the greater achievement of the book may lie in the satisfying desire it awakens to read the remix and the original side by side." ( Entertainment Weekly)

Loved it!!!

Finally this classic tale is now readable for males ages 18-45. I am impressed how the author also managed to fit ninjas in there.

Good Book, Bad Narrator

The books is good. But the narrator has a highly nasal twang and a high-pitch voice that grates on me.
They should have had two narrators: male and female to more accurately depict the characters.

Mostly a lark, not to be taken seriously

2 1/2 stars. Most I liked and found entertaining, but the fate of Mr Wickham and Lydia was deliberately cruel (having Darcy cripple him so he was paralyzed for life). Also I doubt that so frivolous a person as Lydia would have stayed in love with and loyal to a crippled man. (I know, it's just a story and this was just one more over the top tale.) Finally if I heard the word vomit one more time, I would be vomiting myself.

Ridiculous and Fantastic

As a long time reader of Austen’s work, I initially was hesitant about reading a book with such a sacrilegious title. How dare someone taint the world of Austen with zombies? Well that was my first thought when I saw the cover at a scholastic book fair years ago.
Just recently however I had the joy of watching the cinematic counterpart and found the movie so ridiculous that I must read the book. Suffice to say I wasn’t disappointed. Obviously this isn’t meant to be taken as seriously as the young high schooler I was did. As a stand alone interpretation it not only does the original novel justice, but some of the scenes are actually enhanced by the additions made to it.
I love how Wickham is the recipient of a “carriage accident,” when Mr Darcy finds him, and I love the new proposal scene with the introduction of a kick to the face.

There are a few things here or there I disagree with (like some illusions to self harm, cannibalism, and infidelity) that seem inconsistent with our Austen characters, but if you can look past that and just enjoy the book for what it is (ridiculous), then you may find joy in the fantastic elements that have been added to it.

It also inspires me and gives me hope that my own sequel is dabbled in writing but had given up on in honor of Austen’s art my continue. Those who truly love Austen aren’t looking for carbon copies, but interpretations and expansions to the Austen universe that may satiate their thirst for a genteel time with not so genteel people.

Yes, please.

This interesting twist on my favorite classic novel was not at all what I thought it would turn out to be; it was more. The weaving of zombies throughout Longbourn, Pemberley, and all that in between was sheer violent perfection. I loved every moment of this audio book and will likely listen again, even after I purchase a hard copy.

amazing!

I have been a fan of the original for years. I also love monsters of all sorts. this is the first book that captures the best of both worlds. I couldn't help but listen at every opportunity. Truly a most amazing adaptation. love the blood and gore!

The ultimate recorded book

if ever there were a book better listened to than read, it is Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Katherine Kellgren's voice is perfect for the narration, conveying clearly the heart of the flower of upper-class, regency English twit-dom.
The story doesn't merely insert zombie narrative into Austen's work, but parodies the already ludicrous personalities in the original novel and introduces a hysterical and incongruous culture of Eastern martial arts among the gentry, ladies included. By all means listen to, rather than read this novel, but be aware that strangers will look at you funny when you burst into laughter without any apparent prompt.

Nice perspective on the dreadfuls

What made the experience of listening to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies the most enjoyable?

The performance carried this book.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Seeing how the author weaved the original story with dreadfuls.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Something Dreadful This Way Comes

Any additional comments?

The prequel was better!

Great twist on an old tale

I read Pride and Prejudice the first time to give me more depth in my reading. When I saw this book I decided to read it and then listen to it in audio form. I'm not someone who's into Zombies or believe they'll come to wipe us out. I am someone who likes taking a story and twisting it to see what happens if key details are changed. In the end it follows the same original story with the right twists in the right places. My only complaint is that Seth Grahame-Smith let someone else write the pre-qual and sequel which don't follow the story line this book establishes. In fact skip the 'Dawn of the Dreadfuls' all together.

Elizabeth Bennett meets Sun Tzu

Would you consider the audio edition of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies to be better than the print version?

No not necessarily. For those who love to read I highly recommend the print. But for those who enjoy hearing the voices of the characters, the audiobook is just as enjoyable.

What other book might you compare Pride and Prejudice and Zombies to and why?

It's sister book; Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. They both take a classic book and turn it on it's head. It's clever.

Which scene was your favorite?

The fight scene between Elizabeth and Darcy. Nothing funnier then picturing Darcy up against the fireplace mantle.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. But as you can imagine there are only so many hours of the day to listen.

Any additional comments?

A must listen to those who are frequent listeners of audio books.