It takes a brave writer to pen a Southern Gothic vampire novel just three years after the publication of Anne Rice’s Interview With The Vampire.
George R. R. Martin’s Fevre Dream includes similarities such as setting, era and two bickering immortal dandies, but Fevre Dream has less romance and more sweat and grime, it is as though two writers used the same remit to inspire very different tales.
Game Of Thrones’ author Martin pens marvellous prose in any genre, descriptive but never dull and poetic without being florid. He has a knack for authentic, character crafting speech and an ability to make even the driest detail fascinating. Readers will come away with a new love and comprehensive understanding of life as a Mississippi steamboat man even if such a subject previously held no appeal. The subtle inclusion of issues of race and prejudice also provide authenticity and much food for thought.
Most admirable is Martin’s creation of a truly memorable and scene-stealing mortal character in a genre over-populated with charismatic bloodsuckers.
Captain Abner Brown is unfailingly human (warts and all!) and his singular tale provides an entirely satisfying, sequel free conclusion.
Captain Abner Brown is unfailingly human (warts and all!) and his singular tale provides an entirely satisfying, sequel free conclusion.
Vampire fans may see a link between Fevre Dream and True Blood as Martin may be the first author to suggest a synthetic blood “cure”, an idea that is constantly evolving in the genre. So, regardless of whether you prefer your vampire novels old or modern, Fevre Dream deserves the status of a classic alongside the likes of Stoker, Rice and Matheson.
Reblogged this on stacyblaise and commented:
Thanks Lily White beautiful picture
Thanks for the reblog, Stacy xx It’s a brilliant book. I went to see Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter recently, it has a similar time frame and setting. The vampires are quite similar too. Let me know what you think of the book or the movie if you are familiar with them. xx
I’ve not seen the movie or read the book….but I will now…
Great post. Off the point here but I really enjoyed the new version of Woman in Black. I watched it on Blinkbox and wished I’d gone to the cinema to see it as the settings were fabulous.
Glad you enjoyed it! I saw the film in a full cinema and the tension coming from the audience was electric. It’s not very often that you go to the cinema and actually see people jumping out of their seats and screaming the way they show on the adverts. I recently saw a film with called The Awakening, it’s set a bit later (post WWI) but it has a similar vibe. I think you’d like it. x
I can imagine the audience in the cinema, I loved the atmosphere of it. Is The Awakening at the cinema now or has it gone on dvd? Also, have you seen The Raven? If so, what do you think?
The Awakening is on DVD. I’ve not seen The Raven although I’ve seen the trailers and I would like to watch it x
Thanks, I’ll look out for The Awakening. I thought you would want to watch The Raven.