How to Kill a Vampire: Fangs in Folklore, Film and Fiction by Liisa LadouceurMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
So I was browsing Netgalley a few days ago and stumbled upon this one in the non-fiction stuff. I'm not a huge reader of informative stuff, as you may know I like to submerge myself in fantasy, but this one caught my eye.
Summary:Citing examples from folklore, as well as horror films, TV shows, and works of fiction, this book details all known ways to prevent vampirism, including how to protect oneself against attacks and how to destroy vampires. While offering explanations on the origins and uses of most commonly known tactics in fending off vampirism, the book also delves much deeper by collecting historical accounts of unusual burial rites and shocking superstitions from European history, from the “real” Serbian vampire Arnold Paole to the unique Bulgarian Djadadjii, a professional vampire “bottler.” It traces the evolution of how to kill the fictional vampire—from Bram Stoker’s Dracula and the Hammer horror films beginning in the 1950s to Anne Rice’s Lestat and the dreamy vamps of Twilight, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries—and also celebrates the most important slayers, including Van Helsing, Buffy, and Blade. In exploring how and why these monsters have been created and the increasingly complex ways in which they are destroyed, the book not only serves as a handy guide to the history and modern role of the vampire, it reveals much about the changing nature of human fears
My Take:
I loved this one. So much so I couldn't put it down. (In fact I was up till one am.) Filled with tons of Vampire lore but not at all stodgy. This was truly a fun look at the way the Vampire has been shaped throughout history including the current changes we have seen in the past 10 years. Plus theres a bunch about Buffy and how can you not love that!
Even more amazing was that I feel like I learned a large amount of historical facts, but in a totally enjoyable way. After interviewing someone who lives the Vampire Lifestyle I learned so basic history. And I have read another novel which deals with a similar topic but the writing in How to Kill a Vampire was so smooth it felt both totally smooth and just as addictive as any fantasy novel.
If you enjoy Vampire fiction then add this novel to your TBR list, you can even tell all your smart friends your reading a history book :)
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