Monster Mash

Thursday, April 14, 2011


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:

Falaise said...

I think once was an amusing jeu d'esprit, anything more is not funny any more.

Anne said...

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.

Kristi said...

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.

The Insouciant Sophisticate said...

I hate these mash-ups too but I love the cover for Meowmorphosis-I just love cats!

LindyLouMac said...

I have to say I think this is a dreadful trend!

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

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!

Sandy Nawrot said...

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.

Jenners said...

I agrees tha t one or two was amusing but mow it seems to have gotten out of control.

She said...

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. :/

Jessica said...

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.

Jeanne said...

She said pretty much exactly how I feel, too!

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

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.

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

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.

Jonathan said...

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?"

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

Jonathan - I love Anna Karenina too and that one didn't even seem like it would be funny.

Will Errickson said...

Agreed: too ridiculous at this point.