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Amanda Grange | The Vampire Myth
October 28, 2009
Hi, it’s good to be here on the Fresh Fiction blog, thanks
for inviting me along to chat about vampires, it’s a great time of year to be
doing it! There are many kinds of vampires, and in Mr. Darcy, Vampyre I add to
the myths whilst retaining some of the traditional aspects. The vampires of folk legends are usually described as ugly and bloated. They
wear shrouds and return to their home neighbourhoods where they cause trouble as
restless spirits. They are created by animals jumping over their corpse, or by
evil spirits taking over their corpse as well as by being bitten by a vampire.
Typically, they wore shrouds and were usually described as bloated with a ruddy
complexion. So they were very different to the kinds of vampires portrayed in
modern fiction, which have been altered and adapted continuously over the last
two centuries. The idea of a vampire being a wealthy, charismatic, mysterious but troubled
entity started with Byron’s "Fragment of a Novel," where the vampire is "a man
of considerable fortune and ancient family . . . It was evident that he was a
prey to some cureless disquiet; but whether it arose from ambition, love,
remorse, grief, from one or all of these, or merely from a morbid temperament
akin to disease, I could not discover." Byron’s friends and physician, John Polidori, continued the theme in his
revolutionary story, The Vampyre (1819), which was based on the Byron
fragment. He introduced the seductive charms of the vampire, who was
irresistible to women and loved to corrupt them. Polidori supposedly based these
characteristics on Byron, although his story is in parts reminiscent of the
Gothic novel, The Monk, which had been a scandalous success some twenty
years earlier. The idea of the vampire as a charismatic, pale, seductive, cultured, conflicted
gentleman persisted, but later writers all added their own layers to the vampire
myth. Varney the Vampire was a character in the "penny dreadfuls" of the
Victorian era, and from his exploits we have fangs, puncture marks on the neck
and a sensitivity to daylight. In Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, I
wanted to use some of the familiar features of vampire fiction as well as adding
some new ideas of my own. My vampyres are charismatic and cultured. They fit
easily into Regency society and move freely amongst other people. But I extended
the traditional vampire power of charming or hypnotizing their victims and I
allowed my evil vampyres to go further, distorting reality so that they could
feed off the fear and confusion this creates. This follows one strain of vampire
lore, which says that vampires can feed off their victims psychically as well as
drinking their blood. When Elizabeth is targeted by one such vampyre, he invades her dreams: He turned to face her and she felt the power slipping out of her, as though
her will was leaking out through holes in her side and flowing into him.
He beckoned and she moved forward, like a puppet with no control. She felt a
brief stirring of her will as the last dregs of it resisted, and for a moment
she remained motionless, fighting his pull. But then he beckoned again and her
legs began to move of their own accord. ‘No,’ she said, and then, ruthlessly,’ No.’ And suddenly the streets were full of people again, running past her wildly,
shouting, ‘Incendio! Incendio!’ There was panic in the air and a red glow on the horizon, growing brighter and
brighter by the minute, and looking up she saw that the Palazzo Ducale was
burning. The wickedly triumphant flames were leaping high into the sky where
they crackled and burned across the nightmare black. She ran forward to help but
before she could reach the palazzo, everything changed again and she stood
still, bewildered and uncertain, not knowing which way to go. Without the fire
she could see nothing save a dark silhouette of buildings. And then the hairs rose on the back of her neck. She felt her flesh crawl with
horror as she knew with all her senses that there was someone – something –
behind her. It was waiting in the shadows, biding its time, taunting her,
playing with her like a cat with a mouse. It was a frightening thing, a glorious
thing, a wonderful thing, a terrifying thing. And old
.
© Amanda Grange, Sourcebooks Landmark, 2009 I hope you’ll enjoy reading my new take on the vampire myth in
Mr. Darcy, Vampyre,
which
gives a paranormal twist to a
Pride and Prejudice
sequel. Mr. Darcy, Vampyre In
stores NOW! Amanda Grange,
bestselling author of Mr.
Darcy's Diary, gives us something completely new-a
delightfully thrilling, paranormal
Pride and Prejudice
sequel,
full of danger, darkness and deep romantic love... Amanda Grange's style
and wit bring readers back to
Jane Austen's timeless
storytelling, but always from a very unique and unusual perspective, and now Grange is back with an
exciting and completely new take on Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Mr. Darcy, Vampyre
starts where Pride and
Prejudice ends and introduces a dark family curse so perfectly that the
result is a delightfully thrilling, spine-chilling, breathtaking read. A dark,
poignant and visionary continuation of Austen's beloved story, this tale is full
of danger, darkness and immortal love. About the Author
Amanda Grange is a
bestselling author specializing in creative interpretations of classic novels
and historic events, including Jane Austen's novels and
the Titanic shipwreck. Her Jane Austen sequel Mr. Darcy’s
Diary is a bestseller in the US and the UK. She lives in England. For more
information on Amanda and her books, please visit http://amandagrange.com/. For more
information on Mr. Darcy,
Vampyre, please visit Amanda’s blog and the Sourcebooks Spotlight
Page. Interested in
reading an excerpt? Follow us on
Twitter the week
of Halloween!
Comments
48 comments posted.
Re: Amanda Grange | The Vampire Myth
Your book sounds new and refreshing! I would love to read this!
(Katie Smith 9:32am October 27, 2009)
Ahh vampires, they used to be scary, now not so much. Your book sounds very interesting I look forward to a good read.
(Elizabeth Parzino 9:32pm October 27, 2009)
I love Pride and Prejudice, and a different twist to it would be very interesting. I look forward to reading it.
(Armenia Fox 12:30pm October 28, 2009)
I love books about vampires and this one sounds great.
Thanks!
(Tracey Dent 4:39am October 28, 2009)
Thank you for the chance to win!
(Joanne Reynolds 6:31am October 28, 2009)
I can't wait to read this book. I loved Pride and Prejudice and this looks like such a great dark twist to it. There is something about vampires which both scare you to death and yet fascinate and hypnotize you at the same time!
(Lauralee Benjamin 7:21am October 28, 2009)
Hi Amanda,
I can't wait to read about Mr. Darcy. This is definitely on my TRL.
Carol Luciano
(Carol Luciano 7:52am October 28, 2009)
One of the best things about this site is getting to find out about great books! I will definitely be looking for yours now!
(Kara Conrad 8:18am October 28, 2009)
I love that you use the idea that vampyres can feed off people psychically because that was always one of the creepier aspects of the lore and it tends to be forgotten. I also think that "Mr. Darcy, Vampyre" sounds incredibly creative and intriguing. Can't wait to read it.
(Michelle St. James 8:43am October 28, 2009)
I have been wanting to read this book, please enter me!
(Stacy Walker 9:38am October 28, 2009)
I absolutely would LOVE to read this book....
(Debra Davis 9:54am October 28, 2009)
Enjoyed the excerpt! Sounds intriguing.
(Cherie Japp 11:15am October 28, 2009)
I looove vampire books, thanks for the chance to win!
(Pj Keitzman 12:29pm October 28, 2009)
Wow, you wrote just enough to titillate the mind. Looks like a good read.
(Theresa Buckholtz 12:35pm October 28, 2009)
Oh, this sounds really good! I can't wait to read it! Vampires are so cool!
(Rebecca Niehaus 1:24pm October 28, 2009)
This sounds like my type of book. I'm looking forward to reading it.
(Pam Scott 1:36pm October 28, 2009)
What a new twist on Mr Darcy! Sounds like fun!
(Kelli Jo Calvert 1:41pm October 28, 2009)
Vampires and Halloween! What fun!
Thanks!
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 1:59pm October 28, 2009)
Another book to add to my TBR list! Thanks.
(DeeAnn Szymanski 2:40pm October 28, 2009)
I love Vampire books, and think yours look awesome!!
(Freda Mans-Labianca 3:02pm October 28, 2009)
Your book sounds really good.
(Patsy Hagen 3:11pm October 28, 2009)
You really have to watch out for those strong silent types!
(Karin Tillotson 3:17pm October 28, 2009)
I've been wanting this book forever! It sounds great and I like how you take the original story and make it your own.
(Jody Faltys 3:25pm October 28, 2009)
You book sounds as if it would be very interesyinh.
(Patsy Hagen 3:49pm October 28, 2009)
Sounds interesting
(Anne Jones 3:54pm October 28, 2009)
I love the original, bring it on. I can't wait to read this. Fingers crossed.
(Mary Preston 4:40pm October 28, 2009)
This sounds amazing. I would love to read this
(Carolyn Harris 5:30pm October 28, 2009)
Oooh what a wonderful sounding read! I would love to know more... :D
(Colleen Conklin 5:47pm October 28, 2009)
Another twist on Austen. She's one of my faves & I'd be interested to read your twist.
(Ivy Truitt 7:11pm October 28, 2009)
The hairs stood up on my arms
while reading the excerpt. Can't
wait to read the whole book!
(Lisa Richards 7:14pm October 28, 2009)
Love the cover of your book.
Especially love the necklace.
What a beauty.
Vampires are the in thing now.
Sounds really interesting.
Good Luck
(Mary Branham 7:22pm October 28, 2009)
love vampires!
(Diane Sadler 7:44pm October 28, 2009)
I didn't know that I would want to read a vampyre book as one I read lately wasn't my cup of tea. Yours sounds more like I think of the old barnabus collins in dark shadows that I watched back in the day. Although I have to say, I caught a rerun in the last couple of years at one point and had to laugh at how campy the show was, and the music for the drama scenes. My childhood girlfriend and I were laughing about it. She still loves the vampyres, and I think I would like to give them another chance and read your book!
dancealert at aol dot com
(Brenda Rupp 8:11pm October 28, 2009)
I found the history of the vampire fascinating. It shows how the myth started and changed over time. Your new book has all the romance and excitement that I love. Congratulations!
(Rosemary Krejsa 9:32pm October 28, 2009)
I loved learning about all the early vampire books. My daughters are not readers, but are all wrapped up in the Twilight series - I would love to be able to give them a different vampire book to sink their teeth into (haha)
(Kristi Herbrand 10:04pm October 28, 2009)
The more I hear about this book, the more intrigued I am!
(Ashley v 10:25pm October 28, 2009)
Nouvelle approach to two beloved
stories! Sounds intriguing!
(Sue Ahn 10:47pm October 28, 2009)
An interesting variation on a story. I like
the traits you give your evil vampires.
Well, like isn't exactly correct. The traits
you give the story more body and variety.
Interesting blog.
(Patricia Barraclough 12:44pm October 29, 2009)
I have been so excited for this since the first time I saw that cover. Very intrigued!!!
(Misty Braden 11:05am October 29, 2009)
I love vampire stories! They have a sexy scarey appeal I think and it fits for Halloween. I so want to read this!
(Jeanette Huston 11:48am October 29, 2009)
Thank you for the writing stories that spark the imagination
(Doni Miller 1:02pm October 29, 2009)
I enjoyed the excerpt. It was a little creepy, in a good way!
(Wanda Sissle 3:15pm October 29, 2009)
How imaginative. This looks like it would be a great read. Love vampyre books.
(Vikki Parman 3:25pm October 29, 2009)
I have your book, just dying to start it! It will be a great Halloween read! Good Luck!
(Lisa Glidewell 3:37pm October 29, 2009)
Wow - putting vampyrs in Regency England - since I love both of the subjects it would make a fascinating story.
(Rachel Morse 3:55pm October 29, 2009)
Some kind of vampyre, please enter me! dancealert at aol dot com
(Brenda Rupp 9:11pm October 29, 2009)
I like the idea of vampires and Regency together....Looks like a fun read!!! Count me in, please!!
(Mitzi Hinkey 12:03pm October 30, 2009)
Amanda,
I am a big Pride and Prejudice fan, and need I say, a paranormal romance fan. What better than to get my two loves in one :)! Looking forward to reading this.
(Pamela Sinclair 7:47pm October 30, 2009)
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