Orgoglio e pregiudizio e zombie. Finché morte non vi unisca

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies #2

by Steve Hockensmith

Finalmente sposi, Elizabeth Bennett e Fitzwilliam Darcy si trasferiscono nella deliziosa tenuta di Pemberly, poco distante dalla villa in cui vivono Charles Bingley e la moglie Jane. In questo modo, Elizabeth può aiutare la sorella nella cura delle sue adorabili bambine e dedicarsi all’eliminazione degli orridi zombie che cercano di avvicinarsi a loro. Tuttavia quel tranquillo nido d’amore diventa ben presto il palcoscenico di una un’immonda creatura morde Darcy al collo, condannandolo a diventare un morto vivente. Disperata, Elizabeth sa che nessuna cura al mondo può salvare l’adorato l’unico modo per permettergli di riposare in pace è tagliargli la testa e, giusto per non correre rischi, bruciare il suo corpo nel camino. E lei sta quasi per compiere quell’estremo, straziante gesto d’amore, allorché le giunge voce che uno scienziato di Londra è riuscito a mettere a punto un vaccino per l’orrido morbo che sta devastando il Paese. Così, aggrappata a una flebile speranza, Elizabeth si mette immediatamente in viaggio, pronta ad affrontare orde infernali di cadaveri ambulanti pur di riportare Darcy alla vita. O almeno a qualcosa che le somigli…Sull’onda del successo di Orgoglio e pregiudizio e zombie – versione fedelmente zombificata del celeberrimo capolavoro di Jane Austen –, Steve Hockensmith continua le avventure della coppia letteraria più amata di sempre, facendoci gustare le atmosfere e le emozioni dei romanzi della grande scrittrice inglese. Fino all’ultimo morso.

Genres: Horror, Zombies, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor, Paranormal

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2011

About the author

Steve Hockensmith is the author of the New York Times bestseller Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls and several other novels, including the Edgar Award finalist Holmes on the Range. He lives in Alameda, California.

Reviews

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars ⭐️

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

While I didn't much care for the first two books in this trilogy and while I have to add the disclaimer that I was worried that this author was not aware of the HEA rule in JAFF, I did get a most satisfactory conclusion in this paranormal variation to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

We are told in the book description that while the marriage of our dear couple is still in its infancy Darcy is bitten by a Dreadful and reminding us that Elizabeth knows she is to behead him and then burn the body. Now you know, you have to know, that our story is not going THERE. Remembering her dearest friend’s lingering death in Hunsford, Elizabeth knows that Lady Catherine might, just might, have something to stave off death or…hopefully, even by now, something to save and cure Elizabeth’s dear husband. So Lady Catherine is sent for. BUT we also learn here that Lady C. is even more bent on expunging Elizabeth from not only their circles in society but from Darcy’s life, and love. She holds all the cards and Elizabeth has no choice but to accept ALL Lady C.’s terms.

Darcy is taken to Rosings, while Elizabeth and others of the Bennet family are sent on a scurrilous mission to London. I really was taken aback at what the requirements put on the Bennets outlined! And Lady Catherine has ninja warriors of her own which she sends to keep track of and guide the Bennets' mission. Nezu, the man in the box, Bunny, Angus McFarquhar, Mary and Kitty Bennet (with very good supporting roles) plus a little of Mr. Bennet thrown in to give us an intriguing story in this paranormal tale.

Meanwhile: back at Rosings we are mystified as to just what Anne de Bourgh is all about. This is not the pale, quiet and retiring Anne sitting in the corner upon a settee that we know of in canon. And Lady Catherine – the mighty warrior, Lady Catherine, continues to demand and manipulate and blackmail to have her way. I have to admit that up until about 80% of this story I was worried that this author was not clued in on the necessity of a Happily Ever After, for JAFF variations. I will sometimes read the endings of stories but in having this on my kindle that is not as easily done – but I was tempted to take the trouble and go there.

There are parts of this story that meander about, details given as to how London is divided into sections named for their directional locations (south east center, etc.) and sections about the presence of the Undead and their forays into the town, and a little about the insanity of the ruling monarchs of that era. Bethlem/Bedlam plays a part interestingly.

As I said initially I read the three books in this series due to the impending release of the movie based on P&P and Zombies. I do hope and pray that this third book in part of the story.

[Les · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a P&P sequel. Set 4 years after her marriage Elizabeth Bennet Darcy is still childless and of two minds on the situation. Other than that she is happily married and comfortable in her role as the mistress of Pemberley. Their rift with Lady Catherine is still unresolved; but when Darcy falls ill Lizzy realizes that ONLY Lady Catherine can help cure him.

To save her husband she will do what ever it takes. Aided by her stalwart father and two strong sisters, Mary & Kitty, she will travel to London to search for a cure her her husband. Along the way both Kitty and Mary will rise above their typical P&P treatments to be resilient, forthright females.

Secrets will be revealed, unmentionables will be slaughtered and evil doers undone.

I really liked this book. It was very readable, unlike the original which tried too hard at times this is both a P&P sequel and a P&P&Zombies story.It has tension and humor. I simply adored it.

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will read anything related to Pride and Prejudice.
You name it. I will have probably read it or it's on my TBR. But there can be that rare occasion that I never knew that book ever existed, well.. then I would add it to be my TBR.

Long story short: I love P&P guys.

So, Dreadfully Ever After picks up right where Pride and Prejudice and Zombies left off. Darcy and Elizabeth are still married; However, Darcy has also still been bitten from a Zombie. So of course Elizabeth's life sucks major balls right now because she has to ask my least favorite person for help: Lady freaking Catherine.

UGH! That freaking Lady! I just dislike her so freaking much because she despises Elizabeth for some odd reason and is going to be her vindictive self and plot to separate her and Darcy. Which of course she does split them up just because she has the "ability" to help Darcy. So of course she gives Elizabeth and her family a list of demands that she obviously agrees to. BECAUSE WHO WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO SAVE THE LOVE OF THEIR LIFE?!?!

Either way, this book gave me tons of mini heart attacks because I thought I wasn't going to get my god damn happy ending.

Overall, I enjoyed this book but it doesn't really compare to the first book in this series. Although nothing compares to the OG of Pride and Prejudice.

[Rich Stoehr · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third (and hopefully final) book in the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies series commits an unfortunate sin - it takes itself just a little too seriously.

If Dawn of the Dreadfuls felt like someone explaining a joke that didn't need explaining (which it did), then Dreadfully Ever After feels like someone who doesn't know when to drop the punchline and let it lie.

I give this latest installment in the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies phenomenon credit for this, at least: I didn't expect what happened at the outset. In the first pages of Dreadfully Ever After, Fitzwilliam Darcy, now happily married to Elizabeth Bennett, is bitten by an unmentionable (a zombie) and afflicted with the strange malady. Only Elizabeth's old nemesis, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, holds the secret to Darcy's possible recovery - though it will come at a price.

What follows is an extension of what we've come to expect from the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies universe - old English manners blended with the undead hordes, sweet innocent romance interrupted by sudden bursts of bloody violence, elegant language interspersed with martial arts action. London is presented in a surprising context, a thread left undone is picked up again and drawn out, and old conflicts are at last resolved. Like Dawn of the Dreadfuls, Dreadfully Ever After does its best to at least tell a good story, and mostly succeeds.

But much of it feels like things we've seen and heard before, and they were done better then. Ninjas, zombies, martial arts, blood, English manners, gore, rolling heads, swords, yadda yadda yadda. This time around the joke feels old and the story feels stretched thin.

Where the original Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was sharp and light-hearted, Dreadfully Ever After feels dull and uninspired. It takes a parody to lengths where it's just not that fun anymore.

Here's hoping it ends here, and the dead can rest. I fear an additional volume in this too-long and too-serious story could only be...dreadful.

[Kate Evangelista · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I read this year!

[Manisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual review: 3.75

I saw this, I picked it up and I read it.

Then I laughed and laughed and laughed.

This is not great literature.

Taken from the perfect world of Jane Austen, we see what happens to Elizabeth and Darcy after they are married. They continue to fight zombies only for the unthinkable to happen.

I was actually surprised by the content of this novel. While the first book in this duology was practically word for word from the original, I found quite a refreshing and creative storyline in this second book. The pace was fast, the action was exciting, and the romance was surprisingly touching. The romantic element between Elizabeth and Darcy was down to earth and believable.

As a fun read, not to be taken seriously, I really enjoyed this.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those that have not read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies as well as Dawn of the Dreadfuls please note that this review contains some minor spoilers.

The final novel in the Pride and Prejudice and Zombie trilogy is published today. Dreadfully Ever After by Steve Hockensmith picks up the story four years later. Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy are now happily married and living at Mr Darcy’s country estate, Pemberly. Elizabeth has hung up her flintlock and katana, as it is improper for a married woman to be involved in dealing with ‘the stricken‘. Everything should be perfect, she has the man of her dreams and leads the life she has always wanted but instead she feels unease with her life. She is unsure if she wants to start a family and misses her warrior lifestyle.

During a long country walk Darcy is attacked and bitten by a zombie and the death of Elizabeth’s husband seems all but inevitable until Darcy’s aunt, the formidable Lady Catherine De Bourgh arrives. She has heard rumours of a possible cure but before Elizabeth can investigate further Lady Catherine demands Darcy is placed in her care. It falls to The Bennet clan to try and locate the key to Darcy’s salvation. Meanwhile Darcy is to be looked after by his aunt and cousin, Anne, both of whom appear to have their own reasons for wishing to help out.

The book then splits so we have alternating chapters following the Bennet’s adventures in London and Darcy trying to stave off his conversion to a flesh eating zombie.

In my review of Dawn of the Dreadfuls, the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies prequel novel, I thought the text was missing some of the verbal flourishes you would expect when reading a book based on Austen. In the case of Dreadfully Ever After I am pleased to report I have no such quibbles. As a direct sequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies this is exactly the novel I was hoping for. This final book ties up all the loose ends of the trilogy very nicely.

It was great to get further insight into the characters of Mary and Kitty Bennet. Kitty in particular goes on quite a journey as she has never really been free of her sister Lydia’s shadow. As Lydia is not in this novel, having already found happiness in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, it is Kitty’s turn to shine. Other characters that have appeared before are brought back from both of the two prior novels, and in some cases given their own shot at redemption.

Once again there is some fantastic zombie dispatching methods. We finally learn what drives the zombies to behave as they do and there is a rather inventive aside that details an attack seen from the dreadful’s perspective.

I would be happy to recommend Dreadfully Ever After. The author seems much more comfortable writing about an alternate regency England this time out and splitting the action between the countryside and London allows for some great contrasts. The reader gets a real sense of how the ongoing problems with the undead have affected the nation’s capital.

Hopefully you have enjoyed my short foray into the world of mash-up novels over the last few posts, I certainly have. Proof positive, if it were needed, the adding of zombies to a novel can indeed only ever be a good thing.

[Georgiana 1792 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Il mash-up come mezzo per fare satira

Sono stata favorevolmente sorpresa da questo romanzo, che più che un mash-up si dovrebbe considerare un sequel (diciamo entrambe le cose).
Hockensmith riprende i temi di Jane Austen e quelli di Grahame-Smith (e i suoi, se consideriamo il prequel di Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, The Dawn of the Dreadfuls, L’alba degli Abominevoli — su cui non ci possiamo pronunciare, non avendolo letto) e realizza un seguito gradevole e coerente a entrambi i generi mixati nel mash-up.
Da bravo autore di sequel, Hockensmith sa che i protagonisti di Pride and Prejudice devono farsi un po’ da parte: Darcy quasi scompare a Rosings, trattenuto (quasi un ostaggio) da zia Catherine DeBourgh, mentre Elizabeth cerca di porre rimedio al morso dello zombie che l’ha praticamente messo KO. È Anne al centro dell’attenzione quando ci spostiamo in Kent. Misteriosa, tenebrosa, quasi affascinante, la cugina di Mr Darcy sembra aver trovato il suo modo per affermarsi nonostante il peso di cotanta madre.

Elizabeth, invece, si reca a Londra, restando sì protagonista, ma venendo affiancata dalle due sorelle nubili, Mary e Kitty. E qui entra in gioco l’abilità di ‘contaminatore’ di Hockensmith.
Esagerando marcatamente le virtù e i difetti delle sorelle Bennet, le rende due personaggi assolutamente irresistibili: comiche ma forti, ridicole al punto giusto da non essere semplicemente due macchiette, ma due donne che reggono la struttura della trama.
Mary è splendida da studiosa e virtuosa delle arti marziali: viene raffigurata sempre con la katana nella mano destra e Rivendicazione dei diritti della donna di Mary Wollstonecraft nella sinistra. È consapevole del suo valore di essere umano nel contrastare la piaga dilagante nell’Inghilterra (gli Innominabili Zombies) e non concorda con chi ritiene che le donne, in particolare le donne sposate, non possano partecipare attivamente alla sua distruzione (Elizabeth ha dovuto appendere la katana al chiodo, ormai, mentre Lady Catherine si gloria del suo stato vedovile, che le consente di essere ancora un’attiva combattente).
Kitty rappresenta la ragazza comune, la scioccherella a cui piace curare l’aspetto, andare ai balli, ma che in realtà rivela molto più buonsenso degli uomini che la corteggiano. Viene rappresentata da Hockensmith come una ragazza un po’ chiassosa che si entusiasma facilmente (pronunciando la sua esclamazione preferita “La!” ad ogni piè sospinto), ma non per questo “Una delle tre ragazze più stupide d’Inghilterra”, come la definisce suo padre in Orgoglio e Pregiudizio. Non bisogna scambiare l'allegria e il desiderio di piacere per stupidità!

Gran parte della vicende si svolgono a Londra. Hockensmith ne approfitta per calcare sulla satira, facendo ironia sui costumi dell’epoca (un’epoca, fra l’altro che risente dell’invasione degli zombie, non dimentichiamolo), ma punzecchiando con un ago sottile anche i giorni nostri. La scarsa accettazione degli stranieri, che vivono nel degrado della città, possibili vittime degli innominabili o che vengono rinchiusi al manicomio di Bethlem senza un vero motivo, mentre gli aristocratici si danno al lusso sfrenato, viziando animali domestici come esseri umani o si divertono allo stesso modo degli antichi — e crudeli — romani, sono uno dei temi fondamentali del romanzo. Ecco allora che le corse di Ascot diventano una sorta di ludi venatori di antica memoria in cui i cristiani vengono interpretati dagli irlandesi e le belve feroci dagli zombie.

Seguendo poi il tema principale proprio di Orgoglio e Pregiudizio, una storia d’amore in cui vengono infrante le barriere sociali, ecco che le nostre due eroine secondarie, Kitty e Mary trovano l’amore proprio laddove non se lo sarebbero mai sognato.


Potete leggere la recensione completa QUI

[Stef · Rating 3 out of 5]

When we last left Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, they were strolling off to lead a life of happy matrimony spent being in love and slaying dreadfuls together—except for the slaying dreadful together part. Proper, married Victorian women just don’t do that sort of thing, a fact Lizzy detests. However, when Darcy is bitten by a zombie child, Lizzy forgoes propriety and is willing to do anything to save his life—which entails abiding by his cruel, cunning aunt Lady Catherine’s plan to seek out a rumored antidote in London. Joining her are her father and two sisters, Kitty and Mary, and they adopt aliases and new identities to flirt with those who hold the key to the antidote’s secret while Darcy suffers in discomfort in the company of his creepy cousin Anne, who has an equally creepy secret.

Happily surprising was the high element of romance involved, which was far more believable and exciting than half the romance novels I’ve read previously. Perhaps it was due to the fact that the women are brimming with personality. I thrived on the humor, of course, which was full of quips and absurd scenarios, but I also loved the feminist take. The women are battling the undead along the men if not saving the men from certain doom altogether. Elizabeth and her sisters Kitty and Mary are rich, fleshed-out modern-day women in a very un-modern time period, and they all excel in strength, spirit, humor and compassion, making it easy to respect them and care about their well-being in the endless fight against the dreadfuls.

The only downside to the novel was the illustrations, which not only paled in comparison to the original Pride and Prejudice and Zombies but were done by a different artist and thus lacked in continuity.

Dreadfully Ever After is an exciting, hilarious novel that shakes the curse of any sequel, proving to be just as good if not better than the original PPZ.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly, the final Pride and Prejudice and Zombies book is actually pretty good. As with the prequel, the fact that Hockensmith doesn't have to hew to the plot of Pride and Prejudice gives him a great advantage, as it means he can make a more reasonable balance of Regency romance and ridiculous zombie action. And the zombie action definitely delivers, from Darcy getting chowed down on in the opening to the recoronation of George III that leads to the entire royal family and important government heads getting their brains snacked on. There's even some nice new details in regards to the zombies provided by Darcy, whose turn towards the undead is arrested by his aunt's serum. Darcy's cousin also gets some character development in a rather fun twist from the original Pride and Prejudice. The plot of Elizabeth needing to seduce somebody to save Darcy annoyed me at first, but it ended up providing some amusing moments, and some surprising character development for Kitty, who, bereft of Lydia's influence, gets to finally grow up a bit. There are nicely satisfying fates for everyone's favorite and most hated Pride and Prejudice characters, and all in all, this wraps the series up nicely. It seems that while I completely loathed the original Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, once you move away from slapping zombies into Austen's original text and instead write a pastiche of Austen with zombies integrated in a somewhat logical manner, I actually find the exercise rather enjoyable (which is likely why I also liked the film version a fair bit). I do feel glad that this is the last book in the trilogy, since I think the concept, at least in the form expressed here, has been milked enough. And yet, I may try another Regency zombie romp if I encounter it, because the idea seems to hold some appeal for me after all.

[Della Tingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith is fantastic and can stand alone without having read the prequel or this book, the sequel. However, this is a fun read, too! Elizabeth and Darcy must face the worse possible scenario when Darcy is bitten by a dreadful!! 🧟‍♂️

“Respectable married couples weren’t supposed to look so happy. It wasn’t dignified— and it made things so much more awkward for everyone else” (284).

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading "Dawn of the Dreadfuls" I was kind of concerned about what I was getting myself into with this book.

Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised. Hockensmith cobbled together a pretty decent book in this installment. Naturally, nothing will really compare with PPZ, but at least there is enough of an interesting conflict that drives this book. The humor hit a little bit better, and, as happens in a trilogy, we finally get the payoff of a reasonable conclusion.

The characters are all pretty well realized, and this book really seems to capture the family dynamic better than "Dawn of the Dreadfuls" did. Or at least all the sisters seem to go beyond their single-dimensional traits.

So it's fun. If you loved PPZ, you'll really like this. If you thought PPZ was just okay, this probably isn't the book for you, but then again, if you just kinda like a book, you're not looking to read other books in the series, are you?

[Yaritza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pride and Prejudice is very dear to my heart and this book is my next favorite. I really enjoyed this book. Loved that there was so much action through out the book. I was heart broken after what happen to my lover boy Mr.Darcy but love and family are always there too support. I loved this book because of the action and that women fought just like men. They were trained zombie killers, utterly cool. It had a great plot and was written very well. I was happy with the action pack ending. Couldn't stand Anne she got what she deserved and her mother. Book turned out in my favor the bad guys got what they deserve and my Darcy still survived. If you are looking for a book that will keep you at the end of your seat you want to pick this book up.

[AzulClarito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy buena lectura, si buscas LA historia de amor, este libro no es para vos... Solo usa los nombres y el contexto de la época, en la que Jane Austen la escribió. Luego es una historia completamente brillante

[Quirkyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my review on my book blog: http://quirkyreader.livejournal.com/2...

[Lydia Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the first book in the series I decided to read the sequel (although I do believe I should have read the prequel first but who cares lol) I did enjoy it but found it quite long winded.

I very much enjoyed the beginning with Mr Darcy and Elizabeth fighting zombies and the affection the author showed Darcy to have for his wife as she hacked zombie heads off because of the joy it gave her. I also liked when the Darcy’s go to visit the Bingley’s. Jane and Mr Bingley have had four children, twins, a toddler and a new born, all daughters which I found a good sort of parallel to Mrs Bennet with her five daughters.

When Mr Darcy does get bitten by a zombie it’s so frustrating because your perfect, dream husband is about to die and will no longer be a lovely gentleman. Being bitten by a zombie is not good for one’s manners which is pointed out in the latter of the book.

What I also liked about this book was how it split between some chapters being about Lizzy and her sisters on the hunt for the cure for Mr Darcy and then Mr Darcy being cared for at Rosings by Lady Catherine and Anne.

What I didn’t enjoy that much was the overall character of Anne. In this she is shown as to be quite a weird character as she is always looking over Darcy in the shadows where he can’t see her, always taking him for walks around Rosings, even showing him some cave with zombies in, which Fitzwilliam did not enjoy! But she was just presented as evil and just not an overall brilliant vibe about her. When I think of Anne de Bourgh, I think of a very frail girl who is shy and always seems to be ill. This is not how I imagine her.

Others than that, I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it. I suppose I should read the prequel now lol.

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read and enjoyable. The Regency era/zombie combo just makes me laugh. Highly recommend the audio version because the narrator, Katherine Kellgren, is fantastic at bringing the characters to life. I would probably listen to any audiobook performed my her because she is fantastic.

The story trades Liz/Darcy scenes for more story development of Kitty and Mary and introduces a new group of entertaining characters to drive a different take on zombie lore and finding a cure. I thought this was a really good wrap up to the trilogy and this book definitely had a lot more freedom to explore different ideas and storylines since it wasn't tied to the plot line of 'Pride and Prejudice'.

I really avoided these books for a long time as a Jane Austen fan, but at the desperate recommendation from a trusted friend, I gave them a chance and I'm glad that I did.

Aside from the Austen-esque qualities, the story itself is really well written and action packed with characters you want to follow on their adventures and see what's to come. Well done!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was ridiculous, but actually much more enjoyable than the first two in the series. If someone had just written about a family in Regency era England who had to survive zombies, I would have had a better time. The Bennett family is enjoyable, but not the main reason this book worked for me. And probably the reason Pride and Prejudice and Zombies didn't really work for me. Anyways, I'm having a great time reading ridiculous stories like this.

[Jessica Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a great ending to an amazing trilogy. loved the 1st book, loved the second book and definitely loved this book. there characters and the plot are absolutely perfectly. the deception, love, loss, death and zombies all fit perfectly together.

[Emily Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this trilogy. Silly but a lot of fun! Zombies, Austen characters and kick-ass warrior women - what’s not to like?

[ي · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and light. One thing I’ll say about this sequel is that the writing vastly improved and the book really comes into its own as an over-the-top, sarcastically ridiculous adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and I think it’s because the writer didn’t have to struggle with being under Jane Austen’s shadow anymore.

[Heidi G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gross good fun. Much better monster book than Frankenstein.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

738 - 2012

What's in your head,
In your head,
Zombie, zombie, zombie?
- The Cranberries -

This is a story of Mr. Darcy and Lizzy, again!

Sebagian fans Pride and Prejudice menganggap perlu ada lanjutan kisah cinta antara Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy dan Elizabeth Bennet, sehingga muncul ribuan fanfic dengan berbagai versi, sebagian malah sudah diterbitkan secara resmi. Tapi, apakah novel parodi Pride and Prejudice and Zombies perlu ada sekuelnya? Yah, sepertinya penerbitnya menganggap perlu (sangat mungkin karena faktor bestseller PPZ) untuk menerbitkan sekuel (dan prekuel), meskipun yang menulis ceritanya tidak lagi Seth Grahame-Smith melainkan Steve Hockensmith.

Novel Dreadfully Ever After mengambil setting empat tahun setelah Mr. Darcy dan Lizzy menikah di akhir novel PPZ, dan diawali dengan kejadian mengejutkan: Mr. Darcy, the Great Zombie Slayer, tergigit oleh satu zombie cilik karena kelengahannya!

Menurut primbon perzombian, pertolongan pertama yang harus dilakukan kalau kita kena gigit zombie adalah seperti ini:

Yap, amputasi bagian yang terinfeksi sebelum virus menyebar. Tapi karena Mr. Darcy kena gigit di leher... well... Kalau Lizzy tega memenggal leher suaminya, cerita tentu langsung berakhir di sana. Maka, tema utama novel ini adalah bagaimana cara menyembuhkan Mr. Darcy dari zombimisasi. Demi Mr. Darcy, Lizzy menelan harga diri dan meminta bantuan dari si Tante Lampir, Lady Catherine the Great, yang pernah sukses memperlambat proses zombimisasi Charlotte di PPZ. Tapi memperlambat saja tentu percuma, maka Lizzy pun berkelana ke London untuk mendapatkan vaksin zombie yang sedang dikembangkan.

Membaca novel ini, minimal kita jadi tahu:

1. Bagaimana rasanya kalau kita secara perlahan-lahan berubah dari
manusia biasa menjadi zombie. Salah satunya, kita akan selalu merasa
lapar. Selama beberapa hari pertama, Mr. Darcy bermimpi jadi serigala yang memakan manusia hidup-hidup, atau manusia yang memakan serigala hidup-hidup, atau manusia yang memakan... you get the point-lah.

2. Balap Zombie diadakan di Ascot. Supaya mereka mau balapan, seorang Irlandia diumpankan dan harus lari di depan zombie balap sampai garis finish. Tapi bisa saja ada zombie yang tidak fokus, dan lebih tertarik menyerang penonton di balik pagar lintasan.


3. Zombie adalah unmentionables. Jadi kita tidak boleh menyebutnya zombie. Untuk kesopanan, kita dapat menyebutnya Zed-word, atau Zed-dash-dash-dash-dash-dash.

4. Raja Inggris juga bisa terinfeksi zombie. itu sebabnya pengembangan vaksin zombie dilakukan.

For your consideration:

[AlenGarou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diversamente dal primo romanzo, che seguiva passo per passo il libro originale, “Finchè morte non vi unisca” è del tutto a sé. La storia, i personaggi e le dinamiche narrate sono stati creati di sana pianta, a esclusione dei protagonisti. Nemmeno lo stile e la caratterizzazione dei personaggi sono molto precisi o simili, ma devo dire che non è affatto dispiaciuto come libro.
Certo, è meglio prenderlo a sé che come vero e proprio rifacimento di Orgoglio e Pregiudizio, eppure nel suo piccolo riesce a creare una storia dalle basi solide.
In questa versione, Mr Darcy viene morso e infettato. In modo pressoché stupido a mio avviso.
Per salvarlo, Elizabeth è disposta a collaborare con Lady Catherine e a mettere a rischio la propria reputazione per cercare di mettere le mani su una possibile cura che si trova a Londra. Con lei ci saranno suo padre, Kitty e Mary e una stregua di servitori della donna che, ovviamente, vuole solo rovinarla e fare in modo che Darcy e Anne si sposino.
Infatti, con l’inganno farà credere a Darcy che la moglie l’ha ripudiato e Anne sarà la sua unica compagnia per mesi… immaginate che allegria.
Insieme a nuovi personaggi e amori, i nostri protagonisti riusciranno a trionfare in una Londra ormai quasi distrutta, scoprendo che la cura non è altro che il sangue degli stranieri, immuni al morbo.
Che dire, una sorta di Resident Evil vintage.
Si collega bene al precedente romanzo, ma è ciò che porta alla luce che mi ha incuriosito di più.
Infatti, devo dire che, più che apprezzare come al solito Elizabeth e Darcy, ho preferito le vicende di Kitty e Mary, in particolare della secondogenita.
Kitty si dimostra molto più di una ragazzina sciocca e frivola. Anzi, è una grande guerriera che aspetta solo l’occasione giusta per farsi valere e far capire agli altri che sotto il suo atteggiamento spensierato c’è molto altro. E poi con Nezu fa scintille. Li ho adorati.
Per quanto siano agli antipodi, si completano a vicenda e non ho potuto fare a meno di apprezzare come pian piano questa coppia viene alla luce. Insomma, praticamente questo libro mi ha entusiasmato solo per loro.
Per quanto riguarda la seria e pragmatica Mary, si affezionerà sempre più all’Uomo nella Scatola, un reduce senza arti che ha addestrato i suoi due cani per essere le sue parti mancanti. E si scoprirà poi essere il vecchio maestro che le ha “abbandonate” durante il loro addestramento. In realtà, ha già pagato questo tradimento, tornando indietro per salvare la famiglia e ora lavora per Lady Catherine.
Elizabeth invece, è sottotono. Sarà che è preoccupata per il marito e non è brava a filtrare con gli uomini, ma non sono riuscita ad apprezzarla come nelle precedenti opere.
Verso la fine del libro, inoltre, la trama si velocizza fin troppo. Ok che la conclusione è stata esaustiva e apprezzabile (ho goduto nel leggere la fine di Lady Catherine), ma avrei preferito degli sviluppi più complessi, vista la storia. Anche le scene nel laboratorio sono state liquidate abbastanza in fretta, forse troppo.
Ad ogni modo, non è da buttare come libro. Anche solo per passare un pomeriggio in compagnia degli zombie.

[Doskoi_panda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After in which the warrior women of the Bennett line combat intrigues, scandals, dreadfuls, ninja and high society by utilizing their varied martial arts skills and the manners and etiquette of a gentleman's daughters.

I am going to start this by stating that I enjoyed Pride and Prejudice (Austen). I also enjoyed Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
If anything, this latest installment may have been even more fun, probably because it didn't have the original novel to which to adhere. Or stand up to, for that matter, though it does remain in keeping with the "comedy of manners" feel of the original. The story opens a few years after the close of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, with Jane and Bingley settled comfortably with their offspring at Netherfield, Lizzie and Darcy still happily married (though childless), and Kitty and Mary are still at home (through the contrivances of their mother, who, having married off three of her daughters discovered that she wants to keep the remaining two at home to wait on her. She uses her personality to discourage would-be beaus, much to Kitty's vexation.) Elizabeth and Darcy are returning to Pemberly after having visited Jane and her newborn, when disaster strikes - Darcy is bitten, and Elizabeth begins her search for a cure by contacting and following the instructions of her formidable enemy, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

I liked that this installment focused on some of the lesser characters - Kitty, Mary and even Anne are much more fully fleshed out and given greater consequence in the plot, something I think that Austen would approve of, even if she may not have quite approved of their more unladylike activities (fighting, seduction, misdirection and bouts of brazen hussy-ness, to name a few.) Darcy is unexpectedly humanized, Anne de Bourgh displays unusual vitality and even the ninja are brought forward into the light. Well, as much as they can be at any rate.

The descriptions of the spread of disease (cholera) in London, the battles with the unmentionables, and the insights into the point of view of the zombies are all excellent touches, and should satisfy even the bloodthirsty mobs of ancient Rome. The humour is excellent; Austen's wit and satire tweaked into black comedy, as even parasols become weapons against the undead.

4 stars (of 5)
Crossposted to Amazon.com, BookMooch, Librarything and GoodReads.

[Tammy Dahle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thoughts:
This book promises romance, heartbreak, martial arts, cannibalism, and armies of shambling corpses. It deliveries! I have loved these books published by Quirk Classics. The first one that hooked me was Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, next I read the prequel Dawn of the Dreadfuls. Now comes the exciting conclusion to the trilogy Dreadfully Ever After. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read and review Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steven Hockensmith. It's the perfect recipe of genre mash up. Take a classic story(by Jane Austen) add a cup of gore, 3 tablespoons of humor, sprinkle in ninjas and an evil aunt(by genius Steven Hockensmith) and bake to 350 degrees for a yummy yet satisfying treat. The result is a perfect, magical blend of awesome story telling.
What I loved about this story:
I found myself easily caught up in the complicated relationship between the newly married Elizabeth Bennett who dearly misses the satisfaction of a good zombie kill. Alas, it is forbidden for a married woman to participate in such unladylike activities. When her husband is bitten by a dreadful she takes matters into her own hands and save him even if it includes doing unladylike things. Hilarious!
Would I recommend this book to friends:
Yes! And I would also strongly urge them to read other Quirk classics like Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, Android Karenina and The Meowmorphosis.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Look y'all. This has a ton of racism, and while I know that 1800s England was hella racist, that doesn't mean it needs to be in a fantasy novel. As an Asian American fan of Jane Austen, the racism ruined the rest of the book (which anyway was just meh).

Lizzie is bored because married women aren't supposed to fight anymore. When Mr. Darcy gets bitten by a zombie, Lady Catherine offers to help her get a cure for her husband... But she must go undercover as a widow in London and seduce the gentleman who has the cure. Meanwhile, Anne De Bourgh has a chance to try to seduce Mr. Darcy. And Kitty and Mary are also there with Mr. Bennet and a Japanese servant? The characters are annoying, and while they match their characterizations in Dawn of the Dreadfuls, they're out of character for P&P (and, I think, P&P&Z). I get what Hockensmith was trying to do here, but we don't need the casual racism nor ableism.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book definitely has its own feel as compared to the Grahame-Smith book, and in some ways, it could almost be a stand-alone book. Overall, I enjoyed this addition to the P&P&Z world. Some of the satire (making fun of the rules and standards of the time) was (imho) the author trying too hard, but once I decided to just go with it, I ended up having a lot of fun. The ending was quite satisfying, perhaps a tad preachy, but I really did enjoy it. Could I say which zombie book was better? I think the authors’ purposes were different with each book and personally, I think they succeeded.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good and funny final book to the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies series. There is still plenty of "La!"s, plenty of silly babbling, and plenty of very proper sounding early 19th century-style descriptions of very improper things, such as zombies.

I'd recommend reading the books in the order they were written (the original Jane Austin book, the original mash-up, the prequel, and then the sequel -- this book). I think all are a lot of fun.

La!