zombies and jane austen

Seth Grahame-Smith juxtaposes the calm, classical world of Jane Austen with the violent, irrational world of zombies to create an amusing and modern take on Pride and Prejudice. The characters and setting are very similar to the original, as the Bennett sisters live in the English countryside and are stirred by the arrival of two wealthy bachelors, except that they are also battling hordes of zombies that threaten their country home. Elizabeth Bennett is still headstrong and intelligent, yet she is well-trained in the martial arts, a vital skill in the zombie-ridden land. There are many of the same conflicts, notably Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship, yet all are played out in the way of battle and contest. The author could have taken a very gruesome route with the use of zombie battle scenes, but instead it came off more laid-back and humorous, adding to the readability of the novel. He manages to keep much of Austen's style and vocabulary, while also simplifying it with more excitement in the subplots. This version could have come off as very gimmicky, but Seth Grahame-Smith stays true to the story and characters, creating an interesting and humorous retelling.