Kindred [Paperback]

John Gideon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1996

Lewis Kindred, a Vietnam veteran cursed by the loss of his legs but blessed with the unearthly immortality of a vampire, senses the presence of others like himself, but unlike the rest of his kin, Kindred refuses to surrender the last of his humanity.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1 pages
• Publisher: Jove (April 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0515117242
• ISBN-13: 978-0515117240
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #998,405 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant AND original, August 31, 2006

By 

James P. Lea "James P. Lea 'bookaholic" (Vancouver, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kindred (Paperback)

Every so often you will find a wonderful novel in the discount section of your local thrift or bookstore. Kindred is one of these novels. As a long time afficianado of vampire stories, I picked up this book anticipating another interesting but mundane gore fest. What I got was a whole lot more- this is possibly one of the ten best vampire novels I have ever read (and I have been reading them for over 35 years.) It was incredibly refreshing to discover a new perspective on the vampire tale.

The first part of the book takes place in Viet Nam and is told with incredible realism from the perspective of Lewis Kindred. The horrors he witnesses and experiences (including the loss of his legs) leave him a scarred and bitter individual. His only salvation is that his belief that he has left those horrors behind him. Unfortunately those horrors come back to find him through his only friend, Josh Nickerson.

From here the story escalates as both Lewis and Josh must confront their own internal demons and desires and realize what has true value in their lives. With most of the book taking place in Portland, Oregon I can tell you that as a former resident, John Gideons descriptions of the underside of this city are very accurate and well detailed. If you are looking for an original twist on the timeless vampire tale with solid characterizations, a powerful conflict of good vs. evil and the strife people have to go through to resist temptation and remain human -grab a copy of KINDRED. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lost some steam in the end...but I'd still recommend it., August 7, 2002

By 

G. Van Der Bent "Gerb" (Katwijk, The Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kindred (Paperback)

The frontcover markets this as a vampire novel. And although there are some similarities with the 'bloodsucker' subgenre I'd still make this out as being something that stands completely on its own.

I also own John Gideon's other books CREELY'S COVE and GOLDEN EYES (the last is about a more traditional vampire). I haven't read them though and KINDRED is the one that (as yet) appealed to me the most.
It's about this luitenant (LT in GI-lore) named Kindred who stumbles upon this utterly vile and evil creature in the jungles of Vietnam and - back in America - spends the rest of his (cripled) life trying to undo the curse that's beheld on him.

The first part of the book clearly is the best. I thought it was brilliant that the vampiric creature (sorry I have to call it that) was an American interigator of POWS (Prisoners Of War).
He really is the most nasty bad guy to have come along in any book I've read in a long, long time! The things he does really make a Nazi torturer pale in comparison.
The second (and biggest) part of the book was a bit disappointing. To me it came across as a more standard 'innocent soul being seduced by the forces of darkness' kind of novel. There even is a beautiful female henchman who shows up in men's bedrooms and does them all kinds of sexual favours.....that really was a bit too much for me, and totally unrealistic and farfetched.

Anyway. Like I said above. I'd still recommend KINDRED though. If only for the really strong scenes in Vietnam and the incredible badguy!
I just hope Gideon's other books DO pack that extra punch.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great story, rather intellectualized ending, August 25, 2000

By 

Duane A.Hanna (Lawrence, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kindred (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book right up to the end. The story has you wishing the worst for the bad-guy. I like how manipulative the bad-guy was. I however did not fully appreciate the characters' intellectualizing what was happening. In a few spots, and at the end, the characters tried to explain what they saw with "maybe it was telekinesis and telepathy" when they know that they are fighting a demon/vampire/ghoul The characters could have simply said "well we're fighting a demon, maybe there really are ghosts and magic". Overall this was a really great read throughout.