Welcome! Enter freely and of your own will... Hang up your cloak, help yourself to a glass of the red stuff, and join the vampire party.Our wonderful guests of honour at this party are Theresa Meyers (today), Michele Bardsley (Tuesday), Bonnie Dee (Thursday) and Michele Hauf (Friday). And, of course, me, Marie Treanor on Wednesday :).
All this week we're celebrating the undead in all their terrible, dangerous, sexy glory. From horrific vamps to romantic vamps, we love them all and want to talk about them!
So what, for you, is the vampire or vampire story that made the biggest impression on you? Perhaps it introduced you to the genre, or a new aspect of the genre, orjust blew you away by its sheer differentness. Or perhaps it's just the best vampire story you've ever read :). Whatever, I'd love to know what it is!
For me, there are two that stand out as paving the way, not just to my own reading discoveries but to today's vampire romance genre: Bram Stoker's "Dracula" and Anne Rice's "Interview with the Vampire".
"Dracula", of course, is the daddy of all vampire tales: atmospheric gothic horror with a fantastically charismatic and evil vampire whose glorious history reflects that of the infamous Wallachian prince of the fifteenth century, Vlad the Impaler. The sensuality of the story is introduced when Joanathan Harker encounters the seductive vampiresses of Dracula's "harem". Although Count Dracula himself is undoubtedly the villain of the piece, his sexual attraction is definite, if understated by today's standards. And although Mina, the heroine, is ashamed of her reactions to him once she's safely back with her husband and friends, we're left with the impressions that that those reactions were definitely positive!
"Interview with the Vampire" again broke the mold, telling the story from the vampire's point of view and introducing a new level of sensuality. The vampires' human-like affections and hatreds, their everyday existence, their struggles to learn about their kind and survive immortality, all blew me away. And opened the door for today's vampire romances.
Do you agree? Which books stand out for you? Curious minds want to know!
Marie
Hi!!!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many good vampire books out there, and I can't think of any at the moment, except for yours Marie, which I loved!!!!
One thing I don't like too much is the whiny vampire. The man who is sorry to be one, who would love to be human again. I much prefer the vampire who revels in his being and takes every advantage of it...whoohoo!!!
Valerie
in Germany
valb0302@yahoo.com
Hi Valerie!
ReplyDeleteThank you :). You may mention mine as often as you like :)
and I'm with you on whiny - whiny anything, really, not just vampires!
Marie
Hi Marie.
ReplyDeleteI always thought Christopher Lee as Dracula in the Hammer Films was rather seductive. I read 'Interview with the Vampire' several years before I saw the movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it, preferring the book to the film. It definitely gave a new slant on those shadow folk.
On TV, I watch 'True Blood' and 'Vampire Diaries' so I guess you could say I'm into vampires although demons would be my first choice. :-)
Blessings, Maz. ^j^
Hi Maz!
ReplyDeleteWith you on Christopher Lee! And of course, he had that amazing voice...
Must have a demon party one day too... :)
Marie
Oh, they are showing True Blood now on the Germany TV...in Germany of course...and it is GREAT!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter watched all the seasons so far on the internet and said it is much better in English. They have these lovely southern States accents...hehe. So, I will have to look them up.
Valerie
in Germany
I think the first vampire book i read was The Last Vampire by Christopher Pike when i was in High school. I loved it and i was hooked. Well as far as books go.....Lost Boys had me at hello a long time before that!
ReplyDeletei love the 70's movie dracula , frank laga, (not sure how to spell last name) ( plus im again myself here oy)
ReplyDeleteHave not read either of those stories or seen the movies. J.R. Ward introduce me to modern vampires with her BBD novels.
ReplyDeleteThanks for these! Valerie, I rarely get a chance to watch things like True Blood on tv - too much competition! One day, I'm going to gather the whole series and watch it start to finish!
ReplyDeletePractimom, I used to work in a high school library and the kids there were addicted to Christopher Pike! I could never have enough of his books in stock!
Blackroze, I know the one you mean - fab film!
Lindseye, JR Ward is definitely a giant of vampire literature! Thanks for bringing her up!
Marie