Monday, October 5, 2009

Review: Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Ben H. Winters/Jane Austen


Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters expands the original text of the beloved Jane Austen novel with all-new scenes of giant lobsters, rampaging octopi, two-headed sea serpents, and other biological monstrosities. As our story opens, the Dashwood sisters are evicted from their childhood home and sent to live on a mysterious island full of savage creatures and dark secrets. While sensible Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, her romantic sister Marianne is courted by both the handsome Willoughby and the hideous man-monster Colonel Brandon. Can the Dashwood sisters triumph over meddlesome matriarchs and unscrupulous rogues to find true love? Or will they fall prey to the tentacles that are forever snapping at their heels? This masterful portrait of Regency England blends Jane Austen’s biting social commentary with ultraviolent depictions of sea monsters biting. It’s survival of the fittest—and only the swiftest swimmers will find true love!

Although not a sequel to its widely popular predecessor, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, the reworked version of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility continues the tradition of putting these beloved characters into ridiculous and possibly deadly situations. A cross between the original novel and a much more violent version of Pirates of the Carribean, the novel builds up on Zombies and delivers laughs and the occasional stomachache. If you think bloody sea monster attacks are funny. Personally, I had a good time.

I expect most Jane Austen fans will pick up this book with reservations, but they should have a good time as well. In my humble opinion, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters should be less offending than the recent paranormal version of Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, which suffered both stylistically, as well as content-wise. Pick up this latest spoof, and remember to read it on dry land!

RATING: 4/5


Thank you to Melissa Monachello from Quirk Books for approaching me with a review copy.

11 comments:

Amanda said...

I am so happy to have won a copy of this in a contest.

Laura's Reviews said...

Good review! I loved P&P&Z, but had some reservations about this book. I plan to read it sometime in the next month or two, and I'll read it with a mind open to fun!

Sheila (bookjourney) said...

I have had reservations on this book .... and well really all of the new spin offs. I guess I am still making my way through the originals... however... I sense I will have to try one of these reads... just you know.... for scientific purposes only...LOL

Sheila (bookjourney) said...

Oh - and welcome back :)

Melissa (My World...in words and pages) said...

I have heard such wonderful things about both of these books. I think I would enjoy this one better and have been reminded to read this one by a few people. I think I will eventually pick it up.

I am glad to see you enjoyed it.

I also wanted to let you know I have an award for you. http://melissa-melsworld.blogspot.com/

Lori Johnston said...

Thanks for the review, Nikola. I have this on my TBR list. :)

Ryan said...

I didn't like this one as much as P&P&Z. There was something missing for me in this one but I can't figure it out.

Marie Cloutier said...

I guess as long as I keep in mind that it's a spoof... ;-)

Deb Anderson said...

I'm a huge Jane Austen fan, but I'm also a lover of satire, so this would be right up my reading alley. :)

Alyssa Kirk said...

This series looks awesome. I'm a Austen fan but have no reservations reading this. Thanks for the great review!

Allie ~ Hist-Fic Chick said...

I've been waiting to read a review for this. Thanks!! :)