This is quite possibly the funniest book trailer of all time.
Granted, it’s for a funny book – Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters.
Now, I realize this book — and others of the “genre,” which blends the supernatural (and sometimes campy horror) with classic works of literature — is a bit controversial. Purists argue that it’s a travesty. In fact, some of my fellow staff members here at Novel Novice are not fans. Personally, I think it’s brilliant. What a way to bring classic lit to a modern audience!
And okay, I admit — I’m actually not a fan of most of these books in their original forms. I know, blasphemy for someone with a degree in English, who runs a website about reading & education. But that’s me. I just find most plain old normal human romance pretty boring, especially in lit from the Austen-era. But you throw in creatures & such, and I’m there!.
But whether you’re a fan of this concept or not, I think you’ll find it hard to deny that this book trailer is still hilarious:
Want to know more? Here is the official synopsis:
From the publisher of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies comes a new tale of romance, heartbreak, and tentacled mayhem.
Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters expands the original text of the beloved Jane Austen novel with all-new scenes of giant lobsters, rampaging octopi, two-headed sea serpents, and other biological monstrosities. As our story opens, the Dashwood sisters are evicted from their childhood home and sent to live on a mysterious island full of savage creatures and dark secrets. While sensible Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, her romantic sister Marianne is courted by both the handsome Willoughby and the hideous man-monster Colonel Brandon. Can the Dashwood sisters triumph over meddlesome matriarchs and unscrupulous rogues to find true love? Or will they fall prey to the tentacles that are forever snapping at their heels? This masterful portrait of Regency England blends Jane Austenās biting social commentary with ultraviolent depictions of sea monsters biting. Itās survival of the fittestāand only the swiftest swimmers will find true love!
For more goodies, check out this trailer for another mix of classic lit & the supernatural – Mr. Darcy, Vampyre:
See more titles in this mash-up genre here!
For the comments: Are you for or against these sort of literary mash-ups? There are lots of opinions out there — share yours below!
Novel Novice 
OK, while I can get behind anything that has John Willoughby on the receiving end of a painful, bloody punishment, I think this stuff must make Jane Austen roll over in her grave!
I mean, let’s look at the Romeo and Juliet movie with Leo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. Modern, easy to understand, did not destroy the original story in the process.
I am a purist. And no one else can play Marianne Dashwood but Kate Winslet. Hmpfh.
I, too, am a purist, but if they brought back Matthew McFadyen (Keira Knightly version) to play Darcy … I could get on board with Darcy as a vampire!
You know, I had only Colin Firth in my head when I started watching that movie and couldn’t get on board with the McFadyen guy as Darcy. But I was quickly, quickly sold. He was ideal. Swoon.
I am far more shameful than you. I am not only an English major, but am also a librarian, and I wrote a mash-up. My LITTLE WOMEN AND WEREWOLVES will be coming out May 4th. In my defense, I wrote it upon the suggestion of my agent, and only after reading about Alcott and discovering she didn’t want to write “pap for young girls.” She didn’t like LITTLE WOMEN at all, but it sold better than the dark, Gothic tales she wanted to write. I think she’d get a kick out of this book, especially since her father was always lecturing the family against the evils of eating meat , a food that she loved.
That’s fantastic! I will have to check out ‘Little Women & Werewolves’ …