Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a novel by Seth Grahame-Smith, published in 2009. It is a hybrid novel, combining Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice with grahame-Smith’s comparatively recent “gothic” parody, which adds elements of horror in the form of a zombie plague infecting Regency England.
The satire of Regency England in the original novel is taken one step further by introducing a zombie epidemic, presenting a drastically changed “parallel society” in which certain norms of Regency society are reimagined with a horror-based twist.
The novel begins with a four-page opening scene, in which Elizabeth Bennet skillsfully dispatches two male attackers with the help of an unknown accomplice. She quickly disposes of the intruders in an effort to protect her family, demonstrating the heroics and strength which she will later become well-known for.
In the transition to the second chapter, the novel quickly sets up the original plot before introducing the added element of horror which it features. Elizabeth and her sisters, while prominently depicted as beauties of Regency England, are revealed to be trained in the deadly martial art of Chin Na, having been trained since early childhood by the mysterious Mr. Kung. They are commonly referred to by their peers as the “Zombie Slayers of Hertfordshire”, demonstrating the importance of their role in both keeping the public safe from the zombie onslaught, and demonstrating an idea of female heroism which is still relatively uncommon.
The novel follows the progress of the zombie epidemic, bringing much of the original plot of Pride and Prejudice forward, albeit with characters who have a much more prominent role as zombie slayers. Other characters, such as Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine de Bourgh, similarly act as combatants in the fight against the undead, with many of their interactions remaining the same in both respects.
The zombie epidemic serves to reimagine much of the early nineteenth century gender roles, while simultaneously challenging those same roles. Lady Catherine De Bourgh, initially depicted as a haughty society matron, is instead portrayed as a leader of troops in the fight against the undead menace. The Bennet's, who are often overlooked by the vast majority of Regency England’s upper classes, are instead invited to join the upper echelons of zombie slaying society and treated as heroes.
The novel humorously, and often effectively, comments on many aspects of gender roles, both in the original, and the new, story. As the novel progresses, it doesn’t entirely throw out the conventions and gender expectations of early nineteenth century society, but instead hints to the reader that these conventions can and should be challenged.
Overall, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a humorous and daring reimagining of both the original novel, and early nineteenth century gender roles. Grahame-Smith does an excellent job of using a sybillatory tongue to comment upon, and often challenge traditional conventions, while also providing an interesting and entertaining read.
