Author Description
Upon her neck and breast was blood, and upon her throat were the marks of teeth having opened the vein: - to this the men pointed, crying, simultaneously struck with horror, "a Vampyre, a Vampyre!"' John Polidori's classic tale of the vampyre was a product of the same ghost-story competition that produced Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Set in Italy, Greece, and London, Polidori's tales is a reaction to the dominating presence of his employer Lord Byron, and transformed the figure of the vampire from the bestial ghoul of earlier mythologies into the glamorous aristocrat whose violence and sexual allure make him literally a 'lady-killer'. Polidori's tale introduced the vampire into English fiction, and launched a vampire craze that has never subsided. `The Vampyre' was first published in 1819 in the London New Monthly Magazine. The present volume selects thirteen other tales of the macabre first published in the leading London and Dublin magazines between 1819 and 1838, including Edward Bulwer's chilling account of the doppelganger, Letitia Landon's elegant reworking of the Gothic romance, William Carleton's terrifying description of an actual lynching, and James Hogg's ghoulish exploitation of the cholera epidemic of 1831-2. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
The collection centers on the emergence of the aristocratic vampire archetype and the broader fascination with the macabre in early nineteenth-century British literature. This anthology gathers John Polidori's foundational vampire narrative alongside thirteen other tales of terror originally published in London and Dublin magazines between 1819 and 1838. The stories explore themes of supernatural dread, psychological fragmentation, and social anxiety, often utilizing the framework of the Gothic tradition to examine the darker impulses of the human condition. The protagonists frequently encounter forces beyond their control, ranging from predatory aristocrats to manifestations of disease and social violence, reflecting the anxieties of the era.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Inclusion of John Polidori's seminal 1819 work, The Vampyre.
- Exploration of the doppelganger motif in Edward Bulwer's narratives.
- Reimagining of Gothic romance tropes through the lens of Letitia Landon.
- Depiction of historical and social horrors, including the 1831-2 cholera epidemic.
- Scholarly introduction providing historical context for the magazine culture of the period.
- Extensive explanatory notes clarifying archaic references and cultural allusions.
- Bibliographical resources for further academic investigation into the genre.
- Diverse selection of short fiction showcasing the evolution of the macabre in the early 19th century.
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers and critics frequently highlight this volume as a significant resource for understanding the origins of the vampire myth in English literature. Discussion often centers on the contrast between Polidori's polished, aristocratic villain and the more visceral, socially grounded horrors found in the accompanying tales. Scholars appreciate the inclusion of lesser-known magazine pieces, which provide a broader view of the period's literary preoccupations beyond the well-known Gothic novels. The collection is noted for its balance of atmospheric storytelling and historical insight, making it a frequent point of reference for those interested in the development of the macabre genre.
Page Count:
294
Publication Date:
2008-01-01
ISBN-10:
0191504416
ISBN-13:
9780191504419
Horror
Gothic
Anthology
English & College Success
English
Short Stories
Classic Literature
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