The Proliferation of Vampire Novels...
By aseretdd
@aseretdd (13730)
Philippines
June 11, 2009 6:46pm CST
Went to the bookstore yesterday... and noticed like two shelves of books with a vampire theme... Not just those of Anne Rice... but new and not so new authors... "The Vampire Diaries", "Vampire Academy", "Twilight Saga", a series of books about the waitress Sookie... etc... etc...
Each has their very own version of what a vampire should be... so different for the traditional ones that we grew up with... like... vampires can now walk in broad daylight... and somewhat like impossible to kill... i don't know it i will like or hate those versions... i read the Twilight Saga... and i don't really like the thought of a sparkling Vampire... i like the traditional kind... except for the sleeping in coffins during the day...
What can you say about these authors breaking away from the conventional vampire myth?... have you read any of these current vampire novels?... What can you say about them?...
3 people like this
16 responses
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
13 Jun 09
I have only read a few, but I had to admit that I like vampire stories very much and if they break away from tradition, that is OK with me. I do prefer vampire stories with happy endings, though, if that is possible...well, I guess all stories end happily for SOMEBODY!
1 person likes this
@Boofybutt (316)
• United States
12 Jun 09
My favorite Vampire Books so far are by an author names Mary Janice Davidson. She's hilarious, I'm always laughing when I read her books, and I get them done in just a few hours to a day. I liked the Twilight Saga except for the last book. I never could get into Anne Rice either though. Lynsay Sands is also a very good author for vampire books, plus she's funny too.
1 person likes this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
12 Jun 09
I think the books of Anne Rice are too scary... but she is working on something different right now... and i am waiting for all three books of the same series to come out before i read them... hope i can get a hold of Mary Janice Davidson's book... need something funny to read right now...
Thanks for the response...
@Boofybutt (316)
• United States
12 Jun 09
Mary Janice Davidson also does some Mermaid books that are good too.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (37933)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
Yeah I also see the trend there seems to be a sudden interest in Vampire stories in books as well as in movies too. I wonder until when this trend would go through. I noticed that they are evolving from the traditional way we think of them as vampires. It is interesting to read about them especially when a new angle in the way we know about them is twisted so that their story would be understood.
1 person likes this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
8 Jul 09
Well, i am currently staying away from the vampire genre for now... because no matter how good the current books are... i still like the traditional kind of vampire... because they have this certain charm and mystecism in them...
Thanks for the response...
@oyenkai (4394)
• Philippines
15 Jun 09
You already know that I'm not a fan of Twilght so I wouldn't rant about that anymore. As for trying to introduce alternatives to conventional vampire myths, I believe it's the modern writers' way of making the vampire fit into our modern lives.
I don't like it very much. Vampires are formidable because they stick to ancient traditions. They prefer class rather than convenience - for what is "convenience" for someone who has eternity to live?
I am currently reading The Historian. A meatier vampire novel compared to Twilight and it actually tries to uncover the actual history of Count Dracula. It's a real page turner if you're *seriously* into novels.
Thanks for the response on my discussion :)
1 person likes this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
16 Jun 09
I think i will pass on the Vampire genre for now... i am looking for Holly Black's "A Modern Faerie Tale" series... but i think the books are not yet available in Philippines... so i am thinking of just getting a copy through Amazon.com...
thanks for the response...
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
16 Jun 09
I think they are just a little over 300 pages... and the stories are indeed very interesting... i read they synopsis... and now, i don't want to read anything else because i really really want to get a hold of the books... i've been to like 4 national book stores... and the new bookstore at SM Annex... but they are just not yet available...
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
15 Jun 09
Perhaps vampires are evolving?
It was recommended to me to read the twilight series....I think they are just trying to make the myth over to appeal to younger readers.
I liked Anne Rice's tales....the contrast between evil and good within each of her vampires appealed to me very much. Sorta like trying to make peace with the evil and the good within each of us. :)
1 person likes this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
17 Jun 09
I read about the the Anne Rice novel whick chronicles the early life of Jesus... but that will be in three parts... so i will wait for all books to come out before i read them... and i must agree that her vampire novels are more of the philosophical kind... so they are quite interesting...
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
16 Jun 09
Yes, Anne Rice's version of vampires are not for the young and weak at heart... i haven't even tried reading one because i am afraid i might have nightmares at night... so the new breed of vampires are somewhat really designed for young adults... which is also nice...
Thanks for the response... welcome to mylot and i hope you enjoy every minute of your stay here...
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
16 Jun 09
Thank you for the welcome! I'm having a blast here.
1 person likes this
@karen1969 (1779)
•
20 May 10
I did read Twilight and enjoyed it, but I still love the traditional ideas of a vampire and all the mythology surrounding it. I read Bram Stoker's Dracula and enjoyed that. I love the Dracula films too especially Bela Lugosi's portrayal and the wonderful Nosferatu.
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
3 Jun 10
I went to the bookstore the other day and saw that even Christopher Pike is into vimpire novels... well... we can't blame... there are a lot of demand for such novels... i have yet to read Bram Stoker's Dracula... for sure that is a scary one...
Thanks for the response...
@Healthkeep (996)
• Israel
16 Jun 09
Given the "nature" of vampires, the myth is everything one comes up with. If it fits the tale - then by all means, let the writers play around with the characteristics of vampires.
Anne Rice is definitely a source of inspiration in the field. I've read several of her novels, and they are amazing! Stretching way back to the ancient Egyptian era and even beyond that.
New types of vampires might arise, as the whole field is very active and many new books come out on print - this is, I think, a literary evolution.
1 person likes this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
17 Jun 09
Well, there is no patent on the vampire character... so any writer is free to play around and create his/her own set... i must agree that a lot of them drew inspiration from the novels of Anne Rice... literary evolution actively working... i wonder what kind of vampire i can create?...
Thanks for the response...
@dreamr802 (985)
• United States
12 Jun 09
I love vampire books. I did love the twilight series as well. I like the traditional vampires but also these new vampires are cool. The way that these authors are breaking from the traditional realm of vampires is very creative. Plus they have to adapt to the people that are intended to read the books. The twlight series is more like a love story so they aren't going to make it with your traditional vampire, it's going to be a romantic version of the vampire.
1 person likes this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
12 Jun 09
Well, the human mind is indeed very creative... and i agree that Twilight is more of a love story than a vampire story... so readers concentrated more on the relationship part rather than how weird the vampire characterization is...
Thanks for the response...
@swirlz (3136)
• Philippines
13 Jun 09
I'm currently watching an anime named "Vampire Knight". It's about the night class of a school. They're all vampires. The prefects, adopted children of the chairman which is a pacifist, are the ones who keep the secret and tries to keep the peace between the Day class and the Night class.
It was okay. I'm kinda enjoying. Twilight saga I've read and loved. As if I didn't had enough. Really. My sister and I still talk about it all the time. Especially now that the second movie's coming up. hehe.
It's kinda confusing with all the vampire versions. But I've never really believed in vampires, so to me it's just fiction and anyone can shape them to how they believe them, or want us to believe them. All for the imagination and love of literature. heheh.
1 person likes this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
13 Jun 09
The best thing about these different versions is that the vampires tend to be less scary... unlike the conventional ones... so they are quite bearable to read... with Twilight... it is more of a love story than a vampire story... and i like it too... can't wait for New Moon to be shown...
Thanks for the response...
@reckon21 (3479)
• Philippines
28 Jun 09
Vampire movies,vampire poems,vampire cartoons and
all books about vampires are very interesting. I'm always
been a fan of vampires they thrill me to no end. The first
book I read about vampires is that of author Anne Rice which is
Interview with the vampire, the one that really makes me want
to read more about vampire. I can say that they are very interesting
and mysterious beings. I do know that they are just part of fiction.
Have a nice day!
1 person likes this
@JOIEMARVIC (2335)
• Philippines
17 Jun 09
Since the Twilight Saga's worldwide success, many fictional writers have been adopting a similar genre. For me it's a good thing. Author's and writters have been coming up with new plots and stories. Not the usual scary blood sucker myths we all grew up being scared with. I have also seen a lot of books about werewolves. Modern day werewolves that are DJ's at night. It's nice to read new stuffs like this.
1 person likes this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
18 Jun 09
I really like stories about Vampires... i was even a die hard Buffy the Vampire series fan... but i have my limitations... since i don't read or watch those that are too scary... so the new genre about vampires are quite okay... or like tolerable...
Thanks for the response...
@wisdomt (99)
• United States
12 Jun 09
I see your point but if all the books were the same who would buy them? I love vampire books and movies. I have the first season of True blood on DVD and Twilight too. The books are good as well. I have the saga of Twilight and have read them. I like the way the authors break the boundaries and add new things.
1 person likes this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
12 Jun 09
There are authors who are very creative in breaking the boundaries... but sad to say that some are just ridiculous... i watched some episodes of True Blood and i instantly liked it... the series of books are currently on my wish list...
Thanks for the response... welcome to mylot and i hope you enjoy every minute of your stay here...
@lcdelmendo18 (990)
• Philippines
12 Jun 09
Haha... well, i have not read any vampire book. but i have watched the movie of the Twilight--and i liked it. I think there is nothing wrong if other authors break away from the conventional beliefs about vampires.
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
12 Jun 09
Yes, that is right... since the vampire theme is not patented by anyone... writers can create their own type... set... or brand... we the readers can only voice our opinions and read or not read the novels...
Thanks for the response... welcome to mylot and i hope you enjoy every minute of your stay here...
@baldypriest (338)
• United States
1 Jul 09
I blame Anne Rice for the vampire novel revolution. XD But I love The Vampire Chronicles. I think everyone has their own individual ideas of what it means to be a vampire. Since the legend of the vampire stems from ancient times and has had resonance in many cultures, there is no one traditional vampire - only a stereotype set forth by Bram Stoker's Dracula. I do think some of the current vampire novels lack that certain je ne sais quois we see in older vampire literature, which may or may not just be a result of the author's style of writing.
1 person likes this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
4 Jul 09
Well, i must agree that the current vampires are somewhat like lame... they are not as elegant and proud at those created by Anne Rice and Bram Stoker... i just wonder... if vampires are real... who would they recognize as the writer who came close to bringing them to life...
Thanks for the response...
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
12 Jun 09
well..i like the ones that are a bit more..medically possible,so to speak.
i can buy sensitivity to light and smell..and maybe something that makes the body regenerate faster to seem longer living..
but bursting into flames at the sun,shapeshifting..fear of icons..
i'd have to see that to believe it.
that's like werewolves.i would think if it were possible to change like that,you'd be stuck after the first time.you kept going back and forth,your body would be seriously messed up cellularwise after awhile.
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
12 Jun 09
I agree that vampires are very interesting... but the different types can be a little confusing... it is like having vampires of different species... if they would deviate form the traditinal ones... they should just be given a different name...
Thanks for the response...
