some ill-formed thoughts re: vampire books

[anotheranon]

Disclaimer: I like vampire novels. Historic ones, comic ones, erotic ones, crap ones - I'll usually give anything with two fangs in it a look, no matter how awful - they are my "junk food" reading. Having said this:

Evidently some conservative is trying to frame a YA vampire romance series as promoting traditional gender roles. I've not read the novels in question, but the synopsis, while sounding kinda predictable angsty teenage romance (think I will give this one a miss, despite disclaimer), it doesn't sound exactly traditional - love triangle with vampire/werewolf/human?

I think that Amanda @ Pandagon hits closer to the mark when she suggests that vampires are a tidy stand-in for repressed sexual longing, but even that doesn't get to why I enjoy the genre so much. I started reading Anne Rice at 14 and while sexy blonde vampires are exciting for the obvious reasons I always wanted to be Lestat more than be bitten by him.

This is largely because I was a stressed out teenager with little autonomy being taught to be afraid of the world, so there was real appeal in being the thing that others fear. Even as a competent adult who has long outgrown Rice, it's the power and freedom that's alluring. One of the things I enjoyed about Bloodsucking Fiends (besides the turkey bowling) was the vampire Jody's realization that she can walk around alone at night without fear.

Comments

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

I was on a panel at a con on Vampires in Literature. There was me with my folklore bent, a folklore professor, and a couple of writers.

Since the get-go vampires have stood for things you can't do in daylight. Specifically because vamps look and can pass for human but are not bound by human restrictions - social, political, sexual, etc. Plus the ultimate restriction - death.

An interesting fact that I was not aware of - the first explosive popularity of vampire literature (Victorian) is virtually concurrent with the first experiments in and eventual success in blood transfusions!

Re: blood transfusions

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Interesting observation!

I do wonder if one of the ways people deal with new (and, I'm guessing, scary scientific progresses/discoveries) is to write fiction about them. I'm thinking of Jurassic Park and DNA cloning, or Outbreak and scary emerging diseases. Maybe some kind of coping mechanism?

Re: blood transfusions

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

Yeah - when my fellow panelist mentioned that, I was wondering similar things as well. Combine that with the general feelings about science and religion and you have a pretty fertile bath for any author's imagination.

my ill-formed $0.02

[dustdaughter.livejournal.com]

Huh. Now I'm doubly curious about why vampires frighten me so. (I could not sleep for two weeks after seeing Interview with the Vampire in the theatre.) Because my life story could be called Repressed Sexual Longing!

The only vampire story I've read is The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez

OTOH, two of my favorite show of all time, ever are BtVS and Angel. *shrugs* Go figure.

Re: my ill-formed $0.02

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Maybe the fear is part of the fun? Sometimes that jolt of fear by something that can't really get you is a nice adrenalin rush.

Re: The Gilda Stories

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

The review for this looks awfully interesting. I like the kind of generation aspect - one vampire decides it's time to go, chooses a successor to be companions to those she leaves behind.

Might also want to check out Octavia Butler's "Fledgling", as it has a sort of "extended family" relationship between a vampire and their household. Not scary at all and as ever, well written.

Re: The Gilda Stories

[dustdaughter.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I've read Fledgling, too! I love Octavia Butler (r.i.p.). So I've only read two vampire novels.

I read The Gilda Stories in college, so all I remember now was that the book was about lesbian vampires. They kinda had me hooked with the premise! ;)

Re: The Gilda Stories

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

It's easy to forget that "Fledgling" is about vampires - she comes at it through such a side door. I've not read much by Butler (Fledgling and Kindred) but both have been so riveting I couldn't put them down!

"The Gilda Stories" has been around a long time and it's a damn pity I'd not heard of it 'til now. Thanks for the rec!

[ladyaelfwynn.livejournal.com]

I, too, have a thing for sexy, blonde vamps! ;-p

Vampires have always been my favorite of the monsters because what they offered was so seductive. Werewolves, Frankenstein, the Mummy, and the alien of the week would all just pretty much kill you. They'd eat you, vaporize your planet, or rend you limb from limb and that's it, you're dead.

Vampires can consume you but there's also the chance they they will turn you as well, making you like them, too. The males are usually always portrayed as sexually provacative (and for me, especially handsome, as they are often tall, slender, and dark haired (which are the physical attributes I prefer)).

The manner in vampires' consumption is often presented differently as well. Other monsters read, tear, and gobble; they take little time over their meals. Vampires are often presented as enjoying drinking their victims and savouring the blood and the tastes different emotions in the victims added to blood.

Victims have also regularly shown to enjoy been consumed by vampires as well. Honestly, I'd rather have Frank Langella's Dracula (1979) or Spike nibbling on my neck than have Remus Lupin on a bad full moon rip me to shreads.

Vampires have a special appeal to women because they offer power that we don't usually have. Increased strength, acceptable outlets for sexual energy (female vamps are supposed to ooze sex appeal), and becoming the hunter rather than the hunted.

Then there's that whole immortal/anti-aging thing. In a world where the older you get as a woman, the more invisible you become, keeping the appearance of youth and beauty is highly prized.

Also, in more modern lit, (as opposed to 18th and 19th cent. lit) vampires are also often used as code for "other", which can include those who don't code as "straight" and other people who identify as something other than straight white males.

Really, the whole vampire thing doesn't surprise me at all. I'm kind of surprised it's taken as long as it has.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Vampires have a special appeal to women because they offer power that we don't usually have. Increased strength, acceptable outlets for sexual energy (female vamps are supposed to ooze sex appeal), and becoming the hunter rather than the hunted.

Nail. Head! For me at least. It's never needing to fear for my personal safety and unapologetic being in the world that would make me wanna turn!

That, and I'd finally be able to finish my stack of books, and would never need worry about missing exciting developments in the future because I'd be too old/dead to appreciate them :P

[sealwhiskers.livejournal.com]

The Sarah Selzer article Pandagon is referring to is curiously enough very similar to Sax's criticism which she (Pandagon) bashes. The only difference in conclusion between Selzer and Sax is that Sax seems to be saying that because teenage girls adore the books, teenage girls also adore gender stereotypes.

Otherwise the conclusion is identical, I kid you not.

I don't see Meyer's books as primarily vampire books, ironically enough, as I've covered elsewhere. It has to be said that the vampire/mortal girl/werewolf threesome has been done before, and not very long ago, but in a more adult setting, by Laurel K. Hamilton - another author who writes seemingly "fantasy" literature, but who in reality writes light erotica mixed with blood and gore.

Meyer stole the concept pretty blatantly, not that Laurel K. wrote it better.

Anyway...I'm very hesitant that you'd like these books, even if you're a vampire lover..or perhaps because of that. But if someone likes romance stories or "ever-after" concepts, then it's a go.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

I've not had a chance to read the Selzer article yet, but will have to - you sound like you're much better versed in this 'controversy' as you've actually read the books.

Happily-ever-after doesn't really appeal to me - never thought I'd say it about a vampire book but it sounds entirely too saccharine sweet for my tastes!

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

pop over to Cleolinda's LJ and the Twilight tag for a hilarious recap of the books, the insane fanbase and the sheer awfulness of the writing

Sookie Stackhouse

[timcharmorbien.livejournal.com]

My favorite vampire series from Charlaine Harris! HBO will be making a series based on these books this Fall. Check them out, I think you'll enjoy them as much as we do. Dead until Dark, Living Dead in Dallas, Club Dead, Dead to the World, Deed as a Doornail, and Definitely Dead.

Re: Sookie Stackhouse

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

I've read a couple and enjoyed them thoroughly - I like that they're mysteries as well, so it's not a standard boy meets girl - boy bites girl thing.

I have seen a sneak preview of the HBO show. Looks very promising, but Bill is made more alluring than he comes off in the books, IMHO.

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

Vampire novel recommendation for you (it's going on the next catdesk, but you get it early!): Vampyres of Hollywood, by Adrienne Barbeau and Michael Scott. HIGHLY recommended by B-at-work, who was halfway through a copy borrowed from D-at-work when he flagged me down and told me I must read it (B has excellent geeky taste in reading and sense of humour enough to wear the job title "Adult Book Buyer" with a straight face) ... says it's hilarious and overflowing with very fine snark.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the recommendation - looks like it could be a fun twist, besides, it looks like there's mystery and that adds another dimension.

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

I was going to say, if you like the idea of vampires + mystery, you should read (if you haven't) Barbara Hambly's "Those Who Hunt the Night" ... as it's been recommended below and I see you haven't read it, I'll second the recommendation and add one for the excellent sequel, "Traveling with the Dead".

Another fine'n'fun vampire book is Fred Saberhagen's "The Dracula Tape" ... the Count tells his side of the Bram Stoker story (Mr. Saberhagen has some very interesting notions about the sex lives of vampires ...)

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Hambly = noted. And I have read "The Dracula Tape" and may even still have a battered paperback around here somewhere - needless to say, I liked the sympathetic take on Stoker's "monster"...

[seamstrix.livejournal.com]

My all time fav vampire book (and I'm not that into the genre as repressed sexuality is just too too boring)is 'Those Who Hunt The Night' by Barbara Hambly who is also one of my all time favorite writers.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

I've heard the name Hambly. What made her book different from the others if you're not normally keen on the genre?

[seamstrix.livejournal.com]

tried reading 'Interview' back when it first came out and even as a teenager I couldn't stand the waves of whiney angst from Louis. I never cared enough to try any of the other books. I did enjoy the movie alot more than I expected.

I generally enjoy Barbara hambly's writing- she's one of my fav authors (and a darn fine costumer too, but that's beside the point) I have read her sci-fi, her fantasy, and her historical thrillers and they are all really good. 'Those Who Hunt The Night' is set in Edwardian England and is very well researched. The main vampire character is a Spaniard, Simon Ysidro, who came to England in the retinue of Philip when he married Mary I and got turned by an English vampire. She gets into the psychology of how a vampire survives and why many don't. The main plot is that there is someone killing the vampries of London and the problem is that the vampires can't tell who it is. If it were a human, they would be able to detect them so it has to be a vampire.....except the killings are happening during daylight hours when a vampire can't be out. Ysidro hires/blackmails James Asher (Oxford linguistics professor and former spy) to investigate. I believe I got caught up in this book because it's an interesting plot, the history is very well done, and the vampire characters are everything a vampire should be- alien, terrifying, eccentric, and, finally, pitiful.

Interestingly, her vampires do fear. They are immortal but not invulnerable. They are hugely powerful both psychically and physically but with enough weaknesses that they stay very aware of their vulnerability.

Read the book!!!

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

"Interview" was one of the first vampire novels I read in addition to "Dracula". What appealed was that the vampire was a sympathetic character, which rang true for me in a way.

My sister also read them all and rightly points out that you have to read them in order or you hate Louis right off the bat because Lestat is so much more fun!

I've found the Hambly book at my library; it will go on the ever-growing list....