Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, what can I say about it? Well to start off, despite multiple attempts to read through this graphic novel, I was only able to force myself just past the 37th page, counting both sides of each paper sheet. Why is that? I have both a short explanation and a long explanation. In short, I found the story quite drab, factually the most boring read I've ever experienced. For the long explanation, ready yourself, as I've a bit to say.
I used to have this condition of being made to fall asleep whenever a story's subject matter bores me, but any more I've had no such luxury. To give you a better idea of what is wrong with this particular book (at least from what I observed whilst attempting to choke down what I could), allow me to list a few key points.
- The story takes place in Colonial-Era England, though aside from the back cover's description, which most people who read graphic novels do not bother to read until after they've finished the book at hand, there are absolutely no indicators whatsoever available until one has already read enough to establish each characters' demeanor and voice (including accents). This makes it quite difficult to grasp such an unusual change.
- The artistry is styled in a manner that feels as though extremely incomplete, less complete in fact than that of most concept work and story-board illustrations. This in itself creates difficulty in distinguishing which characters are speaking. With the entire illustration, including speech bubbles, comprised completely of what seems to be sloppily-assembled, sketched line work, each panel is difficult to read altogether. The illustrations are also in grey scale, and it would do much better for the artist to take the time necessary in order to actually complete each panel.
- The dialogue is difficult to follow. Now, don't get me wrong, as I am well aware that his was adapted from Jane Austen's original novel Pride and Prejudice, however such tasks as this are not easily adaptable and it takes a certain skill level to achieve the proper quality and transliteration. This is a skill that Tony Lee has yet to properly fashion. In due time, with much greater practice perhaps, especially developing the basic skill of introducing the story by means of applying a foreword or introduction section, maybe he can finally get it right. At the present time however, this story is not easy to follow at all and my attempts at reading this book actually only accomplished my developing headaches every single time.
- Again I make mention of how the only description for the story is on the back cover, and now make another point, regarding how that area is one that we readers tend to leave alone until after we've read the book from cover to cover. The reason being that the back cover is where all of the book's reviewers have their quotes posted, and we don't want to taint our own viewpoint with those of others prior to reading it for ourselves. Had this book's description been placed at the front of the story rather than the back, this particular section of the review could have potentially been fairly different.
Final word:
Whilst Jane Austen is regarded as such an illustrious and magnificent writer and all-around story teller, I'm afraid the same compliment cannot be afforded to Tony Lee for attempting to adapt her works into others, neither to Cliff Richards for his accompanying illustrative works. Simply put, when taking on a project of such great magnitude, you go in either all or nothing. If it's left in the current condition as this book is now, having been released to the public in such a boorish, incomplete state, who is honestly going to bother attempting to read much of it?
Very few of us will even attempt nowadays, with society having moved past the great authors of yesteryear, though even those of us who appreciate the classics will have a great difficulty even bothering to remain attentive to this supposed adaptation. For example, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of my all-time favorite stories, and it can sometimes be difficult to follow, however this story is so drab and difficult to follow that it gives even myself a great headache.
I'll leave you with this internet meme that I created, hopefully it will get the point across understandably.
If you still wish to brave the attempt at reading this book, and possibly you've additionally the option to afford me your own opinion of it, here is the information below.
Title: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Authors (original): Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
Adaptation: Tony Lee
Covers: Roberto Parada
Illustrations: Cliff Richards
Publisher: Del Rey Books, Quirk Classics
TPB ISBN: 978-0-345-52068-5
TPB UPC: 9780345520685
Price: $14.99 USD
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