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Dawn of the Dreadfuls

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

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Dawn of the Dreadfuls

By: Jane Austen, Steve Hockensmith
Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren
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About this listen

With more than one million copies in print, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was the surprise publishing phenomenon of 2009. A best seller on three continents, PPZ has been translated into 21 languages and optioned to become a major motion picture.

In this terrifying and hilarious prequel, we witness the genesis of the zombie plague in early 19th-century England. We watch Elizabeth Bennet evolve from a naive young teenager into a savage slayer of the undead. We laugh as she begins her first clumsy training with nunchucks and katana swords and cry when her first blush with romance goes tragically awry.

Written by acclaimed novelist (and Edgar Award nominee) Steve Hockensmith, Dawn of the Dreadfuls invites Austen fans to step back into Regency England, Land of the Undead!

©2010 Steve Hockensmith (P)2010 Audible, Inc. Fantasy Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Horror Literature & Fiction Post-Apocalyptic Regency Regency Romance Romance Romantic Comedy Science Fiction Scary Zombie Witty Funny Comedy

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Critic reviews

  • Audie Award Nominee - Best Fiction Audiobook, 2011

"Hockensmith does not abandon Austen’s original characters. Mrs. Bennett is the most true to the original, and even silly Kitty and Lydia are the same, only they fight instead of fuss over men. Elizabeth, from whose point of view significant elements of the story are told, is the most fully developed, and while she departs a little from the original, it’s not so far as to make Austen fans cringe (given that they’re OK with zombies, of course). This is a must-read for the growing legion of alternate-Austen fans (including, naturally, everyone who has read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies)." (Booklist)
"Narrator Katherine Kellgren sells the unlikely combination of Jane Austen’s Elizabeth Bennet and zombie invasions with wholehearted glee. As the Bennet sisters train with a fighting master for their do-or-die zombie battle, the story moves from scenes of proper conversation to scenes of proper attack stance. Kellgren expresses the British fighting spirit with abandon. She’s smart, funny, and unrestrainedly dramatic, everything that a book chronicling Regency maidens meting out murderous zombie vengeance needs. Kellgren’s voices are thoughtfully chosen, especially Mrs. Bennet’s shrieks over propriety. Listeners can’t help but be drawn into the riotous action even as they realize the story is ludicrous. For sheer audacity of spirit, Kellgren deserves acclaim." ( AudioFile)
“Mixing taught horror-movie action with neo-Austen meditation on identity, society, and romance, this happy sacrilege is sure to please fans of Grahame-Smith's original mash-up.” ( Publisher’s Weekly)
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Loved this book, brilliant. So prim and proper but so full of blood and guts as well.

Dawn of the Dreadfuls

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I had just watched Pride and Prejudice and Zombies on dvd, so thought to catch up on the beginnings with this book. It was a fun, easy listening,simple enough story that kept me entertained whilst doing other things. Loved the cover art to the audio book as well. Will now go on to listen to the other two in the series.

Dawn of the Dreadfuls

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I did enjoy this book. It was fun, light and amusing.
The narration was very good. Mrs Bennett hilarious.

Unusual. Very witty, totally entertaining & enjoyably mad.

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brilliant, funny cute sad. laugh out loud and wince at the same time. beautifully English with a cult twist. loved it

zombies

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Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I came to Dawn of the Dreadfuls after having exhausted the literary re-writes: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, and Jane Slayer. These were all books I had read before in their original format, had enjoyed, and now enjoying again in their new incarnations. Unfortunately, Dawn of the Dreadfuls did not live up to my high expectations, but on consideration, I don't think that it ever could have. The books mentioned above started of as literary masterpieces and was so able to withstand this type of mutilation. Dawn of the Dreadfuls was only a story in the style of Pride and Prejudice and did not stand much of a chance. However I would say that in this situation style is everything and as long as you don't expect too much, you won't be too disappointed.

Would you be willing to try another book from Jane Austen and Steve Hockensmith ? Why or why not?

I have also purchased the companion book: Dreadfully Ever After. If I do not not give myself such high expectations as I did for Dawn of the Dreadfuls, I think I will enjoy it more.

Have you listened to any of Katherine Kellgren’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Katherine Kellgren's performance was fantastic. She really takes on the characters with great enthusiasm and gives the story a real boost when it perhaps may be lacking. This is true for her performances in the other books I have mentioned as well.

Could you see Dawn of the Dreadfuls being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

I really cannot see Dawn of the Dreadfuls being made into a movie nor a TV series. I believe a story in this genre has been made into a movie: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter. I don't think it was very good, but that's another review entirely.

Any additional comments?

This new genre has opened up a new vista for me and I freely admit that I am hooked on the juxtaposition of mild manners required by society at that time and the blood and gore that has so desensitised the modern era. This is a genre that you will either love or hate. I love it and look forward to more books, preferably based on literary classics.

You'll either love it or hate it!

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Loved reading the books and this is a great way to relive the story if you don't have time to sit and read the book.

Brilliant. Excellent Listen

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This was a very entertaining book right from the start and read brilliantly too. The humour was witty and the characters all felt unique. Their role was important in driving the story and when it finished it left you wondering if there would be more to follow.

Very entertaining

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A brilliant story but, in my opinion, spoit by the narration. I am sure that Katherine is a great lady, but her voice does not do the story justice. There are a lot of male characters and try as she may KK does not quite make it. A little too shouty for me. Pity because I would dearly like to listen to more stories. Sorry KK.

My ears ache!

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Great back story to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Made my runs a lot less arduous.

Very enjoyable listen. Great back story to P

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I selected this book as a friend has read it and said it was good, plus it was a diversion from my normal genre. The book is good and narrated well. I even found myself occasionally laughing out loud. In essence it is just silly-fun, light listening. It won't rock your world so might be good for a holiday listen when it can wash over you.

Unmentionables on the rampage

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