"Half in love with easeful death. . . "

The announcement of a record auction for a post-apocalyptic vampire novel put me in mind of a theme I have thought about for some time.  With respect to this trend of vampire and zombie books and mash-ups, it seems that we are going through  a period of profound sickness, perhaps even societal depression. I need to think more on this to articulate clearly what I'm really trying to get at.

Comments

  1. I think you may be on to something there.

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  2. I wonder just how much marketing hype contributes to this.

    Who is the major audience for the zombie/vampire books?

    Do Stoker, Hamilton, Rice, Harris, Newman, Priest, and the author of the Jane Austen horrors all appeal to the same readers?

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  3. Dear TS,

    Thank you for writing! As always.

    Dear Fred,

    I'd like to believe with you; however, I know by the sheer numbers of books that are coming out that this is a phenomenon of the time. Publishers don't waste money on things that don't make money in abundance. This trend is scary to me, and profoundly scary because of its deep appeal at very young ages. The whole notion of being "converted" which rests at the heart of Stephanie Meyer's series. . . Well, that the fodder for a longer series of thoughts if I can ever bring myself to put them together. But I think the line from "Ode to a Nightingale" is appropriate.

    shalom,

    Steven

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  4. Steven,

    I'll keep watch for your extended comments on this recent trend.

    ReplyDelete

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