Customer Reviews

Kindred

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

After reading "Golden Eyes" by John Gideon I had to try to get his other books. "Golden Eyes" blew me away but "Kindred" rocked my world. Gideon's portrayal of Vietnam has me believing that he must have served time in the war. When the story shifts to Oregon his graphic description is dead on. Gideon has a way of pulling the reader in and making them believe that they are really there, a part of the story. The plot never slows. The author tells a unique story for each character. Then masterfully combines them together to weave one amazing tale. Before you realize it, you've already read a hundred pages and your hungry for more. It's basis is the standard good guy v. bad guy theme, but twists and turns into a completely original masterpiece. After reading "Golden Eyes" and "Kindred" I can't wait to get my hands on his first book "Greely's Cove." "Kindred" will not disappoint. Well-crafted, original, scary, and a refreshing view on a new breed of vampire. Welcome to terror.

I was a little annoyed on receiving this book. Nothing to do with the book itself, but the fact I had already read it under the name of "Red Ball".Why publishers insist on releasing books under different titles in different regions is beyond me. Anyway, this is a cracking good read, a slightly different take on the vampire story and full of Gideon's usual confronting graphic descriptions. I've read all of his books I can find, (only four unfortunately, five if you count Red Ball & Kindred as two seperate books)and they have all been very good. However he seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth just over 10 years ago, and as much as I google him, I can find no info beyond the books I have. If anyone knows what became of him, or if he is still writing under another name, please let me know, it's driving me mad!

I've read a lot of horror, vamp lit, ghost stories etc. I guess for me this was not very frightening and the "monsters" were so improbable and almost ridiculous it just took most of the horror out of it. NOW on the other hand- the writing was pretty good, a few characteristics of the story were unique and entertaining. It actually kept me up late reading and was hard to put down. Regardless of the ridiculous premise-I just HAD to keep reading to see what would happen next, hence the 2 stars.

This is one of the best written books I've had the pleasure to read. John Gideon presents a classic good vs evil, via human intent and circumstance, storyline with everything a reader likes to see. It has vivid images and insights into human nature that will stay with you long after you've read it. It does have the heart-stopping horror you look for in a book of this type, as well as having some deep sexual overtones neither of which is gratuitous or overused. Now if I can only get my hands on his earlier books !