Description
Book SynopsisExamining young adult vampire fiction and how it fits in both the contemporary and classic vampire canon, the book''s analysis begins with a primer on vampire scholarship, including a brief deconstruction of ten seminal vampire representations-five literary, five cinematic-and their impact on young adult vampire novels; the evolution of vampires from scary Gothic enemies into postmodern sexualized heroes is traced throughout the book; and the influence of Anne Rice''s Vampire Chronicles. Subsequent chapters examine current young adult vampires novels from such popular horror authors as Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, Christopher Pike, R. L. Stine, Darren Shan, and L. J. Smith, and are divided into three categories based on narrative structure: the process of turning into a vampire, humans and vampires trying to find their way in life, and romantic relationships with a vampire partner. Analysis also addresses vampire conventions (the traditions that exist in each vampire universe), vampires and
Trade ReviewA "closet vampire fan" traces the evolution of vampire stories, Anne Rice's influence, and the vampire as metaphor in ten classic texts from Polidori's "The Vampyre" (1819) to Coppola's 1992 film, Bram Stoker's Dracula. Pointing out the relevance of these archetypes to sexuality, rebellion, and other adolescent issues, Overstreet (elementary education, U. of Maine, Farmington), summarizes and analyzes a sample of the genre specifically for this audience (e.g., Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series). She includes annotated relevant scholarly studies and a comparison chart of elements of the classic versions. * Reference and Research Book News, May 2007 *
...interesting reading.... * VOYA, October 2007 *
Overstreet evaluates 20 novels, giving plot summaries of each and comparing them to classical ideals of vampires. * School Library Journal, April 2007 *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 1. Vampires 101 Chapter 2 2. Undead and Unmasked: The Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth, about Vampires Chapter 3 3. Meet, Fight, or Possibly Even Love a Vampire: The Human-Vampire Connection Chapter 4 4. Welcome to the Buffyverse: Vampires, High School, and the Hellmouth Chapter 5 5. All the Titles that Bite: Vampire Novels and Scholarship Part 6 Appendix: The Ten Classic Vampire Narratives Part 7 Bibliography Part 8 Index Part 9 About the Author
