Jane Austen and Zombies!

In this world of horrible earthquakes and tsunamis, political unrest in Egypt and Libya, and now talk of radiation poisoning, I would like to turn your attention -- for just a few moments -- to a "sillier" topic.

As some of you may know, I am smitten with Jane Austen. In fact, it was my good pal Les who truly introduced her wit and sarcasm to me when I was a freshman at St Martin's College. I had tried reading several of her novels before then but I guess I thought they were just about society and manners and that sort of thing just bored the 17 year old Dianna. But when Les introduced Pride and Prejudice to me -- well, that was the start of my Austen appreciation (and the BBC version of the book with Colin Firth a few years later only stoked the fires!). Anyway -- since Les's death it has been hard to pick up anything associated with Jane Austen or the Brontes or ... anything British really. It's hard to shake his presence. And I hadn't noticed how much of what I love in terms of books and music have been influenced by him (though my love of 80's Dance music is totally mine!).

Anyway -- Out of luck, I was able to do a review of the original zombie version (yes, I said zombie!) of Pride and Prejudice about two years ago, simply because I was curious (I am not usually a zombie aficionado -- though I loved the film, Shaun of the Dead) and I had a connection at Quirk Books, the publisher. As some of you might remember, I was astounded at how much I loved the book! (I know, it sounds crazy but the book was fun!). Last year, I read the prequel and thought it was OK, but like what often happens, I thought it wasn't as well written as the original zombie thriller. And then I was contacted about a month ago to see if I would be interested in reviewing (for this blog) the sequel, Dreadfully Ever After. I said yes (of course! a free copy of a book that doesn't come out until March 22! Hello!).


So I am dying to share my thoughts on this sequel to the popular Pride and Prejudice and Zombies -- Dreadfully Ever After BUT I am not allowed to post my review until March 22. Quirk Books wants to have a blogsplosion of reviews on the day the book is officially released. Here is a link to purchasing the book if you are interested: click here! As you might be able to guess, my review is a positive one (always a good sign when I read the entire book within a day or two of getting it!) Sure, it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea but if you are an Austen fan, it's a fun read filled, in this reviewer's opinion, with all kinds of symbolic play (i.e. think post-colonial theory in terms of the zombies!)

OK, now back to working on my dissertation on this, day 2, of Spring Break!

PS: Did you make it to Japan, Rachel? I am guessing it probably isn't a great idea right now though I am hoping that our trip in July will still be OK!