Volume one of the celebrated and seminal vampyre novel.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Sometimes Powerful, Sometimes Dull, Too Long as a Whole: Historically Important Vampire Novel in English,
By
This review is from: Varney the Vampyre: Volume I, The Feast of Blood (Paperback)
`Varney the Vampire, Or the Feast of Blood' was originally serializes 1845-47, about a half century before Bram Stoker created Dracula. Though less famous than the inimitable Count, `Varney' as the book has its own merit with the complicated and fascinating personality of the vampire protagonist that deserves more attention, but at the same time you will find this long book a very demanding read. It depends on the edition you have, but my three-volume edition exceeds 860 pages, which means you need the same energy as reading longer novels in Victorian era, like Dickens and Thackeray.
From the very beginning `Varney the Vampire' intends to be what it is - so-called penny dreadful which is aimed for sensational, blood-curdling scenes with crude but powerful sentences. The book opens with the vampire's nightly visitation to the chamber where one young and beautiful maiden Flora Bannerworth is sleeping. The shrieking and fainting of the lady would lead to the hunting of the vampire by her two brothers. Charles Dickens would have spent more than ten pages to describe all these things. James Malcolm Rymer, the supposed author of the serial novel, spends only one or two. Still, the sentences, clearly written hurriedly, are curiously attractive. After the initial clash between Varney and the Bannerworths, the story gets more and more digressive with the new characters and episodes thrown into the main plot. The mystery behind Varney's insistence on his buying the mansion where Flora's family live is explained, but the motives are not convincing. But you are not given enough time to think about the numerous plot holes because the story keeps going, and it goes so fast. That does not mean, however, that Rymer is an awful writer. Even those who dislike the macabre and sensational penny dreadful styles would admit that Rymer can provide pretty gripping descriptions (like the mob and their furious attack on Varney) if he wants to. Halfway in the book Rymer discards the Bannerworth story, and introduces new episodes one after another. They are mostly about familiar themes - quite theatrical and melodramatic ones such as shipwrecks, an innocent girl and her greedy mother (and unwilling marriage of the former), midnight mystery at inn, etc. The middle part is repetitious and often pretty dull, I must say. Sometimes it is said that `Varney' has been influential in the history of the whole gothic novels, especially those with vampire theme. (The book, for example, ends with well-written passages about a girl, whose shocking fate reminds of that of Lucy in `Dracula.') If you are interested in the vampires in the gothic novels, or Victorian fiction for that matter, you might find it a fairly fascinating read even though a considerable portion of the book is used to tell stories that are not directly related to vampires. Perhaps I may be wrong, but to me, the importance of the book is, if any, historical rather than artistic one. Note: In some editions Thomas Peckett Prest is credited with the book, but today the work is generally attributed to Rymer.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of the originals,
By A Customer
This review is from: Varney the Vampyre: Volume I, The Feast of Blood (Paperback)
Vampire lovers every where have to read this book, just because it was one of the first vampire books that is still recognized. It is true that Rymer isn't the world's geatest writter, and I think I kind of understand why they were called penny dreadfuls, but still read this book. It's good, considering, and it's an excellent book to refer to. Bram Stoker is thought to be influnced by Varney. Fang fanatics, expecially ones of the classic nature, should read this book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Grandfather of all vampires!,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Varney the Vampyre: Volume I, The Feast of Blood (Paperback)
Varney The Vampyre started out as a serial, where each chapter sold for a penny or more, forcing readers to wait for each new twist, every new adventure and amazing plot point. Coming out 1845 it was published into book form in 1847.
This version is the first book in a three book series. Very much in the style of the period it reminds one of The Three Musketeers in which each chapter has to give a small history of the past chapters. Also, for authors getting paid by the letter or by the chapter, this allows them to really get as wordy as they want. James Malcolm Rymer must have been a very rich man by the time he was finished. Yet, the story is not just long winded. There IS action, humor, some VERY interesting characters and even moves along at a fast pace. Frankly, it also reminds me a tad of Dark Shadows. But not as melodramatic.
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