So when I saw the first of these so-called literary mashups Pride, Prejudice and Zombies, I just about choked. Granted, despite my love of classic literature, I'm not the world's biggest Austen fan. I've given her a go and I respect her work greatly but swooning and corsets and Mr. Darcy just don't quite get my pulse racing like it does some other folks. Anyways - to return to the point - someone thought that taking this classic and adding the undead into the mix was a good idea. More like someone (correctly) thought it was a darn good way to get some shock factor and cash revenue.
Back it up, you might say - you haven't read it so you can't judge. You're right on one count. I have not read it and I never will. There are just far too many good books in the world that I may never have time for that I really don't want to throw away precious reading hours on something I know that I'll hate. That said -someone else might really enjoy it and hey - that's a good thing.
So my question is this - literary mashups: love them or hate them? I'd love to know your thoughts!
Hate 'em! (Can't type any more than that 'cause I don't want to get myself all riled up right before bed...)
ReplyDeleteHaha Greg! Maybe you'd like to regale us when you're not about to sleep? :)
ReplyDeleteThis is just jumping on two bandwagons at the same time: lets pinch the Jane Austen story line and add some oh-so-currently-popular blood and gore.
ReplyDeleteTotal Tosh, you are right, life is too short and there are too many good books to read
much love
martine
I can't stand them. But I won Pride & Prejudice and Zombie in with a pack of books and may, may give it a read--although I doubt I'll get far.
ReplyDeleteI have no desire to read this book what so ever. I am currently listening to Abraham Lincoln Vampire Slayer (by the same great mind that brought us Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) and the only thing I am enjoying is the real Lincoln history. The only reason I am listening to this book is b/c my husband liked it and told me I had to give it a go and the last time he referred me to a book I turned my nose up at it and hurt his feelings.
ReplyDeleteHowever, all that said, I do have to wonder if these mashups might get readers that the classics wouldn't necessarily have had. I don't know many teenage guys that would read Anna Karenina or Pride and Prejudice but I saw a guy at Target buying Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Android Karenina the other day!
I'm with you...never read them and never will! Those novels are classics, for goodnes sake! It seems to me that it's an easy "out" for an author... take something that's already been written and add to it. Wouldn't that get us an "F" in high school English class?
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