When people first started inserting monsters into classic novels I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. I mean, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, really? I read that one and was mildly entertained, but I was left just wanting to re-read the original. Yes, I do think it was a clever idea at first, but now it’s getting ridiculous.
The latest installment, The Meowmorphosis, takes Franz Kafka’ famous novel and turns its protagonist into a kitten instead of a bug. I think we’ve officially gone too far. You know that moment when the trend becomes exhausting? That fleeting bit of rage that skips across your subconscious, “If I see one more preppy jerk in an ironic trucker hat I’m literally going to lose it and punch him in the face.” Yeah, I think I’m there with these books.
It wouldn’t bother me if I thought they were introducing people to classics or that lovers of the classics were the ones reading them, but I don’t think that’s the case. I’m sure it is for some people, but I think that a lot of the readers will never pick up the real Sense and Sensibility and realize there are no sea monsters in the story and that makes me sad. I also wonder what the authors would have thought of this bastardization of their books. I don't think their evil or anything, I just think it's time we moved on.
Am I being ridiculous or is anyone else sick of seeing ghoulish variations of their favorite books’ covers and knowing that some people will never get past that version?
16 comments:
I think once was an amusing jeu d'esprit, anything more is not funny any more.
I totally agree, I am tired of all these variations of classics. That's how it goes, though, once one person becomes successful from doing it, everybody has to try it.
I think it's novel the first few times, but it's getting kind of ridiculous. It doesn't really bother me, but it's a bit lame.
I haven't read any of them yet, but I want to read at least one. The Meowmorphosis cover is kind of cool looking, but the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies one grosses me out.
I hate these mash-ups too but I love the cover for Meowmorphosis-I just love cats!
I have to say I think this is a dreadful trend!
It does seem like everyone jumps on the band wagon when something like this is successful. I'm not a fan though. The Meowmorphosis freaks me out!
It probably isn't fair of me to even say anything because I've not read any of them (although I do have Pride and Prejudice and Zombies on my shelves). But I do find it highly annoying. I'm just not interested.
I agrees tha t one or two was amusing but mow it seems to have gotten out of control.
The zombies and sea monsters never really bothered me. Will I read them? Probably not, but I am not totally against them. Now seeing the Meowmorphosis, however, I feel the way you do. I find it almost disrespectful. It's so absurd and is obviously poking fun. In such a meaningful book as I think The Metamorphosis is, it just doesn't seem right. :/
I hated this trend from the outset. My sister loves Pride and Prejudice and Zombies but she has no intention of ever reading the original.
She said pretty much exactly how I feel, too!
She/Jeanne - Meowmorphosis is what did me in and the reason I decided to post something about it. The others were annoying, but this was just too much.
Jessica - That's exactly what I was worried about. Grr.
Sandy - That was the only reason I read P&P&Z, I wanted to know what all the fuss was about. It was exactly what I thought it would be and I had no interest in trying any of the others.
I love Anna Karenina and would hate to think that someone's first experience with the book would be with robots. It's so kitschy, and while I thought P&P&Z was fun, it just left me thinking I should be reading the original. So yea, Android Karenina was the point where I thought to myself "When is this going to stop?"
Jonathan - I love Anna Karenina too and that one didn't even seem like it would be funny.
Agreed: too ridiculous at this point.
Post a Comment