Clarification, yo
Oh the joys of clarification.
So as I quickly discovered, Lord of the Rings is not a trilogy. It is commonly published in the form of three books, but the actual story was written in six segments, “Book One, Book Two, Book Three,” and so on. They were intended to be published as one long novel.
I am absolutely loving this so far. I’m already partway into book two, and although there may not be much “action” in the beginning, the way Tolkien writes never leaves me bored.
I can always tell when something bad is going to happen- some people may call that predictability, but it really isn’t. Sometimes it’s in the form of foreshadowing, but most of it is just reader’s intuition, I suppose.
I’ll give a brief synopsis of the story next time for those unfamiliar with the plot line.
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Book 2.1: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Fellowship of the Ring - J.R.R. Tolkien
Ah, the famous Lord of the Rings trilogy. Later in the list I’ll get to read The Hobbit and The Silmarillion, but I suppose I need to start with the basics.
I tried reading this once in middle school and failed. I believe it was mostly due to my immaturity as a reader - I hadn’t yet gotten to books that weren’t interesting right off the bat… or for the first few chapters.
For a while I thought it was the fact that I tried reading the version that had all three books slapped together into one hardback copy, and been intimidated by its size. However, as an avid Stephen King reader, I was already used to thick books.
No matter what the cause was, I’m reading them now. And now that there’s no turning back, here I go!
When Mr.Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton.
— J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
Book 1: DONE, YO
I intended to have this finished on Tuesday, but even the best laid plans go awry. And by that I mean I had crazy social drama crop up and didn’t really get around to schoolwork, let alone reading for leisure. But it’s done now!
A few of my friends were amongst the ranks of those who believe Pride and Prejudice and Zombies a travesty, but I’ve come to believe that this is a narrow-minded opinion. PP&Z was everything the original was plus the enjoyment obtained from zombies.
Is there a moral to this? No. Will I wring one out of it anyway? Yes.
I think what this really represents is nothing is perfect, nothing is untouchable or unchangeable. Even that which is considered sacrilege, like Pride and Prejudice to hardcore Jane Austen fangirls, can be recreated. It may not be better or worse - just different.
And in this case, I thoroughly enjoyed the different.
And the Sisters Bennet - servants of His Majesty, protectors of Hertfordshire, beholders of the secrets of Shaolin, and brides of death - were now, three of them, brides of man, their swords quieted by that only force more powerful than any warrior.
— Jane Austen & Seth Grahame-Smith, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Cue the Overzealous Mother
Since I haven’t much to say this time around, I figured I’d give a brief summary of Pride and Prejudice for those of you who aren’t familiar with the story.
Elizabeth is one of five daughters to Mr. and Mrs. Bennet in 19th century England. The story focuses mainly on Elizabeth, the second-eldest, level-headed daughter, and Jane, the eldest, kind-hearted daughter. Charles Bingley “moves into town” and his friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy, comes with him. Both are eligible, rich young men. All of the Bennet sisters are unmarried. Cue the overzealous mother. While proud Mr. Darcy is instantly disliked for his haughty manners, sweet Mr. Bingley takes a liking to the equally sweet Jane, and the story unfolds from there.
In Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, the story is exactly the same. Except that all of the main characters are accomplished zombie slayers. Also, the occasional bloody, zombie-action scene crops up unexpectedly.
I’m hoping to finish PP&Z tomorrow so that I can get started on The Fellowship of the Ring. I just bought Fellowship, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, and I’m starting to get excited.
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The Decemberists
“Down By The Water”
I have this on repeat while I read, which probably explains why it’s stuck in my head.
0 notes / 0 plays
Are portly, chestnut manes religious?
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies = Pride and Prejudice + Zombies
It’s quite simple, really. Copy and paste a classic story and insert zombies. Brilliant.
I find myself focusing mainly on the differences between the two novels. For example, a new and abundant description of Mr. Darcy’s hair.
“One cannot wonder that so very fine a young man, with family fortune, and a chestnut mane-which one cannot help but imagine running one’s fingers through-should think so highly of himself.”
“[Darcy’s] feet were bare, his chest uncovered, and his chestnut mane looked all the more radiant in the light of the full moon.”
Those are the two examples I could find off the top of my head, but apparently Grahame-Smith has a thing for the phrase “chestnut mane,” because it keeps cropping up-and every time it does, I bust up laughing.
In addition to Darcy’s flowing locks, Mr. Collins, the Bennet sisters’ obsequious cousin, has become fat in PP&Z. Every opportunity Grahame-Smith gets, Mr. Collins becomes more “rotund, round-bellied, portly,” etc.
The biggest thing I’ve noticed is the addition of religion. The “dreadfuls,” a.k.a. zombies, and attributed to the Devil. The characters often thank God, and He is often mentioned. However, the further I get into the book, the more I’m sure that Grahame-Smith shares my cynicism towards religion.
” ‘You see, Mr. Collins… God has no mercy. And neither must we.’ “
Elizabeth, at least, is convinced that God has sent this plague upon them. I have no idea how her beliefs will end up, for it’s been too long since I read this and my mind is now clouded with the original.
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Book 1: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Time for clarification! The book list is actually 115 books plus the complete works of William Shakespeare. Of this 115 I’ve read 26 and six Shakespeare plays. PP&Z is one of pieces I’ve read previously.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Jane Austen & Seth Grahame-Smith
Before my literature class this year, I’d never read Pride and Prejudice - feel free to gasp in horror and shake your head in shame. Now that I’ve read the original, I think it’ll be a completely different experience to read the lovely Zombie version.
The copy I own is actually a “30% more zombie” version, but I don’t think the version I read will make a difference in the long run.
So today’s the day I begin! I’m both excited and a little hesitant because of what’s up next. The second book/series on the list after PP&Z is J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy, but I’ll talk more about my thoughts when I’m introducing them.
I think I’m going to post the first line and and last line of every book. I have a thing for first & last lines of novels. Go figure.
