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Varney the Vampire
Varney the Vampire
or, The Feast of Blood
Set during the reign of King George II, this gruesome tale concerns the persecution of the Bannerworth family by Sir Francis Varney, a vampire who has developed the habit of creeping into the Bannerworth home and sucking the blood of their daughter, Flora. Varney is presented sympathetically, a victim of circumstances as he tries to save himself, and his victims, from such dreadful acts.
Book Excerpt
er Providence gave genius to, were half disclosed. She moaned slightly in her sleep, and once or twice the lips moved as if in prayer--at least one might judge so, for the name of Him who suffered for all came once faintly from them.
She has endured much fatigue, and the storm does not awaken her; but it can disturb the slumbers it does not possess the power to destroy entirely. The turmoil of the elements wakes the senses, although it cannot entirely break the repose they have lapsed into.
Oh, what a world of witchery was in that mouth, slightly parted, and exhibiting within the pearly teeth that glistened even in the faint light that came from that bay window. How sweetly the long silken eyelashes lay upon the cheek. Now she moves, and one shoulder is entirely visible--whiter, fairer than the spotless clothing of the bed on which she lies, is the smooth skin of that fair creature, just budding into womanhood, and in that transition state which presents to us all the charms of the girl--almost
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a hell of a book. the language and grammar take getting used to, but its very eloquent and interesting. im currently on chapter 20-something
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I totally agree with nowyat this is a great book. One has to get used to the language of the time it was written in and somewhat put yourself in the mindset of that time. The slight effort is more than worth it. One of the reasons books are in decline these days is that people have no imagination. The have to see their vampires, werewolves etc. in 40 foot tall, 100ft wide screen color dripping with saliva and blood or they're not "real". Given the right attitude Varney is far more real than anything Van Helsing had to face in the movies.
08/08/2010
I couldnt even complete it , Sorry to say , I DIDNT LIKE IT A BIT , too slow , and vampires in it are weird after seeing all the movies of these days
10/27/2007
This was one of the best books I've ever read, as far as entertainment goes. Originally published as a serial, it contains a few continuity flaws, but the characters are all vividly described and the action, spanning England, the continent of Europe, and a whole lot of cemeteries, is amazing. Varney himself seems to transform as time passes. In the beginning, he's a very sympathetic anti-hero and the first half of the book is quite humerous, despite a good deal of grave-robbing and murder. In the second half, Varney seems to have a sort of nervous breakdown after numerous forced re-vitalizations and he becomes suicidal and homicidal. Bodies pile up. The vampires of the bookare are much like men, and can be killed, but when the corpse is placed under a full moon they revive. It's rather horrific actually. At least once Varney 'starves' to death, only to revive and be placed in the same position of desiring the blood of a beautiful virgin. Poor guy. Great book. :)
04/16/2007