Lesley couldn’t believe her luck when she saw this book, a classic novel in England’s literary heritage, only now they’ve made it martial arts! Now you can read Jane Austen’s classic social comedy of manners and actually enjoy it.

Paperback: 319 pages; Publisher: Quirk Books (2009); Language: English; RRP: 8.99

Since all of the serious biographies, guides and entreaties to martial arts it is about time a book was published that was completely and utterly ridiculous. This is what you get with ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ as you get a hilarious combination of Jane Austen’s classic novel of manners, ultraviolent zombie mayhem and one of the best female martial artists to grace a Regency novel. And this is the interesting point for those about to scoff in a condescending and ‘oh grow up’ manner; it is very well written.

This novel is ‘Pride and Prejudice’ but Graham-Smith has added more to the background story; early nineteenth century Britain has been over-run by the living dead, or as they are known in polite Regency circles, “unmentionables.” Elizabeth Bennett is still our feisty heroine who spars with the arrogant Darcy, but this time they are also highly trained martial artists who slay zombies for Britain. They also literally spar, when Darcy first proposes marriage to the incredulous Elizabeth, “One of her kicks found its mark, and Darcy was sent into the mantelpiece with such force as to shatter its edge.” The Lady Catherine is still her enemy, only this time she is a demon zombie slayer as well as being a snooty member of the aristocracy and regularly sets her ninjas to kill our Elizabeth. She beats them all of course.

Of course, Martial Edgers, you want to know about the martial arts. Well, as Elizabeth is only a woman of modest means, her intense martial arts training takes place in China with Master Lui where she learnt her high-kicking skills and prowess with a katana sword. Unlike the aristocracy who all trained in Japan such as Darcy and Lady Catherine. This is where it gets interesting as although this may appear to be a send up of Jane Austen’s novel, it is actually an homage as it stays true to the actual plot and still makes the same satirical social observations that the original makes. With some very funny double entendres as well, there is regular reference to Darcy’s musket balls, the language also cleverly replicates that of the original with some sharp comedy moments.

This novel makes a refreshing change. It does something that a lot of books solely about martial arts do not manage, they make them fun. You’ve got zombie slaying, ninjas, and a rollicking rom-com with two handsome people who want to slay the hell out of each other. What’s not to like?

Author Profile: Lesley Jackson

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Lesley Jackson, black belt and Taekwondo teacher is deputy Editor of Martial Edge.

Also by Lesley Jackson:

• Gary Hall Taekwondo Performance Director for the British Olympic Team
• Liu Bin’s Zhuang Gong Bagua Zhang
• Natalie Cassidy’s Real Britain Hannah and her Boxing