|
Written by Sian Rafferty
|
|
Friday, 27 November 2009 09:47 |
 |
Is there nothing sacred in this world? Everyday we face assaults from the world of the modern. Teen-pop sensations make ka-trillions of dollars warbling about the time their two-week boyfriend dumped them with a post-it note. Trousers have almost become extinct in some circles. Don’t even get me started on the fixation with the world of the Undead. Yet throughout it all, one thing has never changed: the world of Jane Austen, and her sense of proper decorum, etiquette and manners. Yet even this has come under attack in the modern age; in a new trend I have termed ‘Perverting Propriety'.
It all started when ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ burst onto the scene. It was a daring and original concept. Almost taboo in a way. Yet it worked, and like all good things in the modern age, spawned a sequel ‘SENSE AND SENSIBILITY AND SEA MONSTERS'. Here, we have the Dashwood sisters wrestling with true love along with a few giant squids. Set against the backdrop of an alternate world; where the Alteration turned the world’s sea creatures against the humans, Austen’s subtle romance story plays out like the original, plus a few minor plot changes. |
The thing I like most about the book is although the change to a world of sea monsters can sometimes come off as a little blunt and crass for an Austen novel, the essence of her delicate social commentary is never disturbed greatly by the marauding octopi and fang beasts of the sea. Characters like Colonel Brandon are only made more awkward and endearing by the fact that he has a hideous squid face. And Willoughby the scheming treasure hunter, is every bit the dashing action-hero. Yet sometimes it’s all too much and you just want to retreat back into the original book. Unlike ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies', ‘Sea Monsters’ boasts a greater contribution of new material; a ratio of forty percent Winters to sixty percent Austen. But at times, it sometimes seems like the author Ben H. Winters has just added in random references to cat-fish soup at the end of Austen’s sentences, which is really not that creative or original.
However! Props must go to the author for choosing to include sea monsters, rather than other (and certainly more popular) otherworldly monsters. In fact, Editor Jason Rekulak remarked on this choice saying; "I didn’t what to go with the one-millionth vampire novel that is going to be published this year". Choosing sea monsters certainly does add for a touch of old adventure spirit; with sea witches and underwater cities, and an atmosphere similar to the sophisticated Victorian world of the 'League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' comics of Alan Moore.
It shouldn’t work. And I envision millions of mature women around the world pulling out their hair at the audacity of the younger generation seeking to pervert the untouchable Austen. Loosen up ladies. It’s all just a bit of fun.
|
