Customer Reviews

Vampires and Vampirism (Dover Occult)

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_Vampires and Vampirism_ is a reprint of _The Vampire: His Kith and Kin_, republished by Dover publications, by the Roman Catholic priest Montague Summers. Montague Summers was an enigmatic figure, whose ordination to the priesthood may have been irregular (according to certain rumors) though his faith in Roman Catholicism was certainly not. Summers unequivocally rejects modernism and the rationalist interpretation of the supernatural, opting instead for the medieval and traditional viewpoint. Summers may have been involved in certain occult circles, where he attained knowledge of much that he presents in his books, and certainly reveals his mastery of folklore and tradition. This book explains the legend of the vampire, whose reality Summers affirms, and reveals Summers great learning quoting often from original works in Latin, Greek, archaic English, German, and French. The book is expertly footnoted, containing many references to original sources.

Summers begins by discussing the origins of the vampire. Summers explains the development of ghost stories, many of which are important precursors to the vampire legend. The ghost may be understood as a departed soul suffering in Purgatory awaiting liberation. The vampire on the other hand is neither ghost nor demon (a fallen angel) because a demon has no body. However, the nature of the vampire is purely demonic. Summers outlines the development of various vampire legends within certain primitive tribes, as well as distinguishing between the vampire and the werewolf. In addition, Summers explains cases involving both the phenomenon of premature burial and the actual resuscitation of the dead, referencing cases from the lives of various saints. While Summers notes the reality of premature burial, particularly in earlier times, he also stands firmly by his belief that the vampire is a real entity. Summers next turns his attention to the generation of the vampire. Here, he notes the role of excommunication, particularly within the Greek Orthodox church. It was believed that those who died in the state of excommunication would not rest and could become a vampire. Summers also provides in detail rites for absolving those in excommunication once already dead. It is believed that by absolving the dead, they may attain the proper rest they desire and thus not return in the form of a vampire to haunt the living. Summers next turns his attention to the traits and practices of the vampire. Here Summers discusses the issue of suicide. Those who have committed suicide are believed to have committed a mortal sin and may return to haunt the living in the form of a vampire. Summers explains how the vampire was often understood as the offspring of a witch and the devil. In addition, Summers explains how the vampire exists through three means: the Vampire, the Devil, and the permission of Almighty God. Summers quotes extensively from the _Malleus Maleficarum_ of Kramer and Sprenger. Summers also notes the reality of the incubus and succubus. Summers explains the importance of blood for the vampire, who actively seeks to revitalize itself by sucking the blood of the living. Summers notes how a vampire may be killed by beheading or by driving a stake into the heart. Summers also notes the vile nature of the vampire's breath, which may be deadly itself. Following this, Summers turns his attention to ancient vampire legends in Assyria, the East, and various other ancient countries. Summers spells out the various ancient legends concerning beings which may be like the vampire. Of particular interest are some of the Chinese legends as well as the legend of the penanggalan, a female vampire which consists of a head with intestines hanging down and that sucks the blood of its victims. Summers also notes the ancient Mexican deities and their similarities to the vampire legend. Finally, Summers turns his attention to the vampire in literature. Here, Summers notes the influence of such Romantic poets as Lord Byron, but also explains the role of the vampire in various plays. Summers notes stories written by Alexandre Dumas and Charles Nodier. In particular, the novels _Varney the Vampire, or the Feast of Blood_ by Thomas Preskett Prest and _Dracula, a Tale_ by Bram Stoker have played important roles in the vampire literature.

This book provides an excellent study of the vampire legend from the perspective of a medievalist and a Roman Catholic. Summers unequivocally rejects the rationalist and modernist perspectives on these ancient legends and motifs, instead opting for the medieval viewpoint. This can similarly be seen in Summers studies of witchcraft, where he distinctly argues for the reality of Satan and the practice of Satanism as against the Catholic church.

Romanticism is nice at times, but if you want to get to the horror and fear of Vampires this is it. There are documented accounts of vampire hauntings, plagues and slayings. This compilation was written by a believer, which is readily discernable by his style and detail. All other modern works I have come across have used this work and M. Summer's The Vampire in Europe as sources. Highly recommended.

A good overall book. But it has some long passages in greek, latin and some other languages that if you don't read them you won't understand them. You will have to get them translated.

I don't mind when an author uses an occasional quotation in a language besides english as long as a translation is provided. Don't buy this book unless you are fluent in french, latin and greek- I'm not exagerating when I say Summer's book is 1/3rd quotations from one of those languages with no interpretation provided. The rest is written in a dense convoluted prose that has you digging for interesting or relevant information like a needle in a haystack. A big dissapointment.

This book is just amazing, I have learned so much about Vampire lore and all the different believes from all over the World. Just a wonderful and interesting book.

This book does not remotely live up to the effusive praise of other reviewers here (and I've read and liked Summers on The Gothic). Save your money and get it from a library. Why the warning? Summers gets far too carried away with his own research, and goes off on seemingly endless digressions that have only tangential reference to the main topic. In his discussion of vampire literature, do we really need to know the original casts of vampire plays performed in New York or London? And do we need page after page after page on excommunication? I found myself deeply annoyed as vampires faded from sight time and again and Summers expanded with scholarly garrulity on whatever bee was currently in his bonnet as he wrote. If you removed the digressions, this would be a long pamphlet, and a dull one at that.