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It has been a hundred years since Bram Stoker published Dracula, one of the most frightening and compelling supernatural stories ever written. Indeed, his vision of an undead vampire who lives on human blood continues to haunt the darkest recesses of our collective consciousness. In the century since the appearance of Stoker's novel, the vampire legend has been kept alive and, more importantly, has been adapted to the attitudes and mores of a rapidly changing modern world by the appearance of numerous radio plays, films, books, and articles. |
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Historically, Dracula and other vampires had been perceived as evil, sinister figures who preyed upon innocent victims in the dark of night. Over the past several decades, however, the popular perception of vampires gradually has expanded. Much of this change has been facilitated by the publication of hundreds of books which portray vampires in a variety of non-traditional roles, including aliens from outer space, private detectives, and time travelers. In many novels, vampires are sympathetic, romantic, erotic, funny, or confused individuals who must cope with the frustrations and demands of late twentieth-century societies. For more traditional readers, there still are plenty of Dracula-like vampires who are enigmatic and terrifying. |
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Vampire Readings is an extremely useful bibliography for readers interested in recently published books about "old" and "new" vampires. The 779 entries in Vampire Readings are divided into five categories. The chapter on novels, which is by far the largest part of the bibliography with 280 entries, provides a useful guide to the many roles played by vampires, all of which are important components of western popular culture. The chapters entitled ''Anthologies and Novellas" and "Young Adult'' further divide the literature. The "Additional Readings" chapter enables the reader to consult more literature. |
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Vampire Readings thus is a welcome addition to the literature of the undead. Moreover, the author, who has had a long interest in vampires, has provided the reader with an exceptional guide to a subject that at- |
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