WEEK 2: Vampire Response | Interview with the Vampire Response
In today’s modern world, our perception and obsession of vampires most likely comes from steamy vampire TV shows or perhaps the iconic Twilight saga by Stephanie Meyer. We have a weird fascination with these sensitive, overdramatic, and sometimes sparkling characters. When you first here the word vampire many popular tropes come to mind. Fangs, blood, nocturnal nature, and a human fixation or love affair. While you may see these as stereotypical, they almost always appear in vampire books and films, because that is what makes a vampire, a vampire.
I think Anne Rice is responsible for the initial surge in vampire popularity. In 1976, Interview with the Vampire reinvented the traditional vampire novel. Rice took the classic Dracula-influenced vampire myth and built a brand new vampire.
I feel that this novel appeals to a younger demographic of readers due to it's emotional and retable subject matter. The main character Louis is different from other vampires. He is self-conscious, conflicted, and dressed like a teenaged Goth. During the book, Louis tells his tale to a young boy who records the entire interview on tape. The boy has a great fascination with vampires and his naive personality brings him to find out who vampires really are. His sense of wonder only makes him yearn to become one of the undead even though Louis views it as a curse put on him.
-Abigail
I agree with your summation of Anne Rice being a key player in the popularity of vampires rising in the late 1900s. Interview with a Vampire is a great novel for young adults and even younger people who don't mind some suggestive or violent imagery. I never got behind the twilight craze, but I wonder if Stephanie Meyer was inspired by any books like these? I can see how Louis would be a relatable character for people around our age or a bit younger.
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