Zombies vs. Unicorns

Team Edward and team whatever the werewolf guy's name is...is so last year.Now it is time for a real debate. Zombies or unicorns? And specifically, which is better for use in storytelling?

Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (both YA authors) facilitate a literary battle royale. Before each essay they talk snark from their respective corners.

Of the 12, my favorite stories were:

Alaya Dawn Johnson's "Love Will Tear Us Apart" in which a zombie falls in love with a living boy.

Naomi Novik's "Purity Test" which hilariously plays with the role of virginity in unicorn lore. Oh, and baby unicorns. Adorable.

Carrie Ryan's "Bougainvillea" in which the zombie masses have taken over and a small group of people flee to an island to hideout. I love this one for the hardcore heroine.

Meg Cabot's "Princess Prettypants" which, yes, the name is awful, but the story is awesome. Imagine My Little Pony comes to life, only this one hoists bullies into the air by their swim trunks.

The other stories are great too. Topics include: prom during a zombie invasion, bestiality (I said it) unicorn style, celebrities who adopt zombie babies, baby killer unicorns, zombies who just want to stop being bored, etc.

So am I team zombie or team unicorn? Usually, I definitely sway towards the mystical in literature, but this anthology has shown me the true range of the zombie. So I think zombies who love and zombies who forgo eating for love and zombies who just want to have some fun beat out a unicorn's death whinny.

I started a unicorn and ended a zombie.

What are men to rocks and mountains and zombies

After Rabbit, Run left a bad taste in my mouth with its *SPOILER ALERT* baby killing and neglecting of responsibility, I needed...something.

I obviously turned to zombies.


Now, the majority of the time I dislike what the majority likes on principle. Also, remakes or offshoots of things I love I usually (always) hate. This is never more true than when dealing with the love of my life: Jane Austen.

However, I was intrigued when I heard the zombie portrayal of Pride and Prejudice cast Elizabeth as a warrior. Intrigued enough to place it on my growing library hold list.

Seth Grahame-Smith basically takes Pride and Prejudice word for word and inserts zombies. The Bennet sisters are warriors, at least one character turns into a zombie and there is a GIRL FIGHT at the end. But don't worry, Mrs. Bennet is still silly as always.

I appreciate the fact that he left all of Austen's best lines intact. If you thought Austen was funny and satirical before, wait until you hear her lines directly after some bloodshed and mayhem. There is also a quaint commentary throughout which I read as a secret banter with readers who know Austen in and out.

Everything isn't coming up corpses though. With the inclusion of zombies, Austen's delicious nuances are lost.

However, if Austen is traditional Mexican food (all nuance yummy-ness), one might say Austen and zombies is Taco Bell. I would argue, one can enjoy both without having to compare them as equals.

So, if you want an incredibly funky twist on a perennial classic, go read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies...if only to freak people out with the cover.

"We are each commanded by His Majesty to defend Hertfordshire from all enemies until such time as we are dead, rendered lame, or married."
more Seth Grahame-Smith than Jane Austen