Customer Reviews

Different Blood: The Vampire As Alien

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Margaret L. Carter is one of the acknowledged authorities on the vampire in literature. This book is a critical academic study of the literary treatment of vampires as an alien life form--as natural rather than supernatural beings. Throughout the 20th century, the vampire in literature has increasingly changed from the classic vampire exemplified by Count Dracula-the embodiment of evil and of Otherness-to the vampire as a natural and separate alien or human species. Carter explains that "The vampire as literal alien serves as a vehicle for exploration-and the containment-of metaphorical alienness." (p. 167) In other words, the vampire as alien allows an author a non-threatening way of looking at the human animal and its behavior.

Perhaps this changing viewpoint illustrates the development of ourselves as a culture, because while to be different in the 19th century was to be separate and evil, in the 20th century being different is treated with empathy and, often, admiration. Much of the fiction mentioned in this book deals with attempts at communication across boundaries between species, a constant preoccupation of modern humans.

The first chapter explores the vampire fiction of the 19th and early 20th centuries as a framework for later works, while the 2nd chapter looks at the pulp fiction of the mid-20th century. The remainder of the book studies the post-1970 explosion of vampire fiction. Carter discusses not only Bram Stoker's Dracula, H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds (in which the aliens came seeking blood), and C. L. Moore's Shambleau (a psychic vampire), but also less familiar works, such as those of William Tenn, Colin Wilson, Suzy McKee Charnas, and Tanith Lee.

This is a well-written and interesting book for a person interested in the development of the vampire genre. As far as I know, this is the first book-length treatment of the vampire as alien in literature, and, as such, it fills a gap in the critical literature. Having established her academic credentials with her dissertation "Spectre or delusion?: the supernatural in Gothic fiction. (Ph.D., UC-Irvine, 1987)" and her critical works, "Dracula: the vampire and the critics. (1988)" and "The vampire in literature: a critical bibliography. (1989)," Carter is also the author of several works of vampire fiction published through Amber Quill Press. The author includes a selective bibliography ("only fiction actually discussed in the text"). The author produces a comprehensive annual bibliographical update of vampire fiction every January-contact MLCVamp@aol.com for information.

In spite of the popularity of vampire novels in science fiction today, there has been little analysis of this very specialized subgenre. Until I read this work, I never realized how systematic its development and growth has been over the last century. This is an excellent exploration of the topic for the reader who has an interest in the story behind the story, and is perfect for the reader who is new to literary analysis. -- Jean, Fallen Angel Reviews (courtesy of Fallen Angel Reviews)

Vampire fiction is much more than Bram Stoker's Dracula and Anne Rice's Chronicles. Stoker focused on the supernatural evil of the vampire as personified by Count Dracula. Rice's undead were linked to a king and queen of ancient Egypt. Many modern writers also give the vampire supernatural status, but there are other authors who depict the vampire as another species, an alien, and this is the focus of Margaret Carter's fascinating study. A great many authors and works are discussed. The following is a brief look at what can be found in Carter's work.

In Jacqueline Lichtenberg's novel Those of My Blood the luren have lived on Earth for many generations but are extraterrestrial in origen. These vampires divide into two camps: Residents who respect humanity as a sentient race; and Tourists who consider humans as prey.

There is a fascinating discourse on the equally fascintating novel The Vampire Tapestry by Suzy McKee Charnas. Tapestry is a classic, much read and discussed by aficionados of vampire literature. Dr Weyland, the primary character, passes for human, but he is not and never was. He is a pure predetor. and he is one of a kind.

Well known fantasy writer Tanith Lee wrote Sabella. The title character must come to terms with her alien vampiric self after years of believing herself to be human.

Elaine Bergstrom has written a series about the Austras, a family of vampires who have resided on our planet for such a long time they consider Earth their home.

I've listed only a few examples of a wide ranging, well researched discussion of the vampire as alien. The book, though academic in approach, will appeal to anyone interested in a readable analysis of literature.