Liquid Dreams of Vampires [Paperback]

Martin V. Riccardo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 8, 1997

Why are we so enthralled by the vampire? This book descends into the murky shadows of the subconscious to present dreams, nightmares and fantasies that reveal the true power of the vampire's image. From the enticement of the vampire's kiss to the allure of immortality, vampires are the dark rebels, the outsiders and the opponents of established order. Tracing the vampire's journey from ancient lore to modern media, the book reveals the true stories of those who believe they have encountered vampires in real life. It researches the mythic connections between sex and death, and their links to sleep and dreams. This study is drawn from the result of a five-year survey into people's dreams and fantasies about vampires.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The vampire is a mutable creature that has gone from the embodiment of evil in folklore to the epitome of the last romantic and erotic taboos of the 20th century. Riccardo explores the role of the modern vampire by gathering personal accounts of dreams, nightmares, and fantasies involving these shadowy blood drinkers. The letters he receives range from tame daydreams to erotic storylines and gory confessions. From these memoirs, the image of the fiend is slowly transformed to a surrogate religious figure and a reflection of the repressed darkness within us.

About the Author

Martin V. Riccardo (Chicago area) is a behavioral hypnotist and the director of Vampire Studies, an information center for vampire fans, which he founded in 1977. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today in relation to his vampire research. Mr. Riccardo has written two other books on vampires and many magazine articles. He has heard from thousands of vampire fans over the years and features some of their letters in this book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 247 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; 1st edition (March 8, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567185711
• ISBN-13: 978-1567185713
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,018,096 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Liquid Dreams - Very Interesting and Entertaining, March 9, 2001

By 

David Evans (Park Ridge, Ill.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liquid Dreams of Vampires (Paperback)

With his landmark book, Liquid Dreams of Vampires, Martin Riccardo has once again established himself as America's foremost authority on Vampires and the occult. His previously well researched publications have been invaluable sources of knowledge for not only the causal student interested in the allures of the fanged-fiend, but also for the academic scholar as well. The dreams portrayed in Liquid reflect a wide variety of emotions and experiences, and the author reflects a common-sense approach to deciphering their meanings. While most people may not have had the nightmarish sensation of a Vampire at their neck, the book does reflect a sense of the unknown everyone can relate to. Seeking the Vampire, like truth itself, goes on . . .

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a 5 stars book!, August 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Liquid Dreams of Vampires (Paperback)

I had several dreams on vampires that's why the title appeal to be immediatly. By reading it I saw that I was right, I loved it! I was becoming tired of books who just speak of the vamps in history or the "famous" ones... this book speak of what are behind those myths the mysteries and the passions evoque by such creatures. I read it several times and I can't get enough.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accurate and Interesting Accounts of Vampires, May 23, 2005

By 

Sarah Price "Mrs. Fit" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liquid Dreams of Vampires (Paperback)

Mr. Riccardo relates the fantasies, daydreams, nocturnal dreams, real-life experiences and realities of current living vampires and their victims (victim is a harsh word in most cases). I had been checking out vampire sites for sometime when someone recommended this book. I thought I was in the minority regarding my "vampire" dreams, but I see that there are many others who have had very similar experiences, including the physical manifestation of bite marks (perhaps psychosomatic, perhaps not). I believe that anyone who is interested in vampirism or is a vampire should get the book and read it with an open mind. Many sanguinarian (blood-drinkers) today do not believe that vampirism is transmitted from vampire-to-vampire, but that one is born with vampirism. Perhaps both are true.