Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: A Classic Tale with a Supernatural Twist
One sentence summary
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a reimagining of Jane Austen’s classic novel, where the daughters of a socially prominent family in 19th century England must not only navigate the societal pressures of finding suitable husbands, but also fend off a zombie plague that has infected the countryside.
Book genre
Horror, Romance, Classic Literature
Main topic of the book
The book explores the themes of love, societal expectations, and gender roles through the lens of a zombie apocalypse in 19th century England.
Key ideas
- The importance of social status and marriage in 19th century England
- The struggle of women to find agency and independence in a patriarchal society
- The threat of the unknown and supernatural forces in a seemingly civilized world
- The role of family and duty in shaping one’s choices and actions
- The power dynamics between men and women, both in relationships and in society
Main parts of the book and a short summary
- Introduction: The world as we know it has been overrun by zombies and England is divided into safe zones and danger zones, with the wealthy and upper class living in the former.
- Part One: The Bennet sisters, Elizabeth, Jane, Lydia, Mary, and Kitty, are trained in the art of killing zombies by their father to protect their reputation amongst their high society peers.
- Part Two: The sisters attend a ball where they meet Mr. Bingley and his haughty friend Mr. Darcy, who is intrigued by Elizabeth despite her inferior social status.
- Part Three: Elizabeth learns of Mr. Darcy’s involvement in the zombie war and their conflicting views on society and marriage cause tension between them.
- Part Four: Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, but she rejects him due to his pride and arrogance. Meanwhile, a new threat arises as zombies invade the Bennet household.
- Part Five: Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth must work together to protect their loved ones and defeat a common enemy, leading to a change in their feelings towards each other.
- Part Six: The Bennet sisters’ relationships with their suitors are tested as they face challenges and danger from both the zombie plague and societal expectations.
- Conclusion: The sisters successfully fight off the zombie threat and find love, with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy overcoming their pride and prejudice to be together.
Key takeaways
- The universal themes and societal norms depicted in classic literature can still be relevant in a modern, supernatural setting
- The power and resilience of women in the face of adversity and societal expectations
- The fluidity of love and how it can defy societal barriers and expectations
- The importance of communication and understanding in relationships
- The impact of external pressures and societal expectations on individuals and their choices
Author’s background and qualifications
Jane Austen (1775-1817) was an English novelist known for her works exploring the social structures and customs of the Georgian and Regency era. Her most famous novel, Pride and Prejudice, has become a beloved classic and has been adapted into various forms, including this reimagined version with zombies. Austen’s wit, social commentary, and memorable characters have made her one of the most celebrated authors in English literature.
Target audience
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a unique blend of classic literature and horror, appealing to fans of both genres. It also has a strong romantic element, making it suitable for fans of romance novels. This book may also attract readers interested in seeing a classic story reimagined in a new, creative way.
Publisher and first publication date
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was published by Quirk Books in 2009.