The Vampyre

Before we start, I'm not that of a critical reader, and therefore, this is one of my first times seriously trying to review a book, despite me having been reviewed some books in the past. This book is one in a beloved collection I own, titled The Phantom of the Opera and other Gothic Tales. This is my second time rereading it and before, I've only added the entire book as read. But, I recently had a thought that it was an 800-PAGE BOOK of a collection, so I was like why not add each individual book? By doing that, I would also have a chance to reread fascinating gothic stories and catch up on my reading goal. So, here I am. Although I've finished this specific book on May 29th, you can tell that I've procrastinated and now it's June 7th. Let's not talk about that anymore. Let's finally get started with the review.

A little note that I found fascinating: According to Wikiopedia, “The Vampyre” is a short work of prose fiction written in 1819 by John William Polidori taken from the story Lord Byron told as part of a contest among Polidori, Mary Shelley, Lord Byron, and Percy Shelley. The same contest produced the novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.” That's actually very intriguing, I didn't know that. Two good books from a contest, huh? On that note, I probably should continue reading Frankenstein...

Goodreads: This classic vampire story has inspired generations of authors, from Bram Stoker to Charlaine Harris.A young English gentleman of means, Aubrey is immediately intrigued by Lord Ruthven, the mysterious newcomer among society's elite. His unknown origin and curious behavior tantalizes Aubrey's imagination. But the young man soon discovers a sinister character hidden behind his new friend's glamorous facade. When the two are set upon by bandits while traveling together in Europe, Ruthven is fatally injured. Before drawing his last breath, he makes the odd request that Aubrey keep his death and crimes secret for a year and a day. But when Ruthven resurfaces in London—making overtures toward Aubrey's sister—Aubrey realizes this immortal fiend is a vampyre. John William Polidori's The Vampyre is both a classic tale of gothic horror and the progenitor of the modern romantic vampire myth that has been fodder for artists ranging from Anne Rice to Alan Ball to Francis Ford Coppola. Originally published in 1819, many decades before Bram Stoker's Dracula, and misattributed to Polidori's friend Lord Byron, The Vampyre has kept readers up at night for nearly two hundred years.

Since this was first published in 1819, almost 80 years before Dracula by Bram Stoker was written, this is one of the first ‘vampire' story in English literature.
The first time I read this, I was a bit confused at first. Since I was not a huge reader of classics (yet), I didn't have much familiarity with the English in the 1800s and I found the words difficult. The sentences were a bit long too. Fast forward to now, I think I have much more of a comprehension as to what's happening in this book. Briefly speaking, I really enjoyed this tale. It was up to the point and not boring at all, yet having this kind of suspense to it.
At the start of this tale, it was mentioned that people had a fascination to the character of Lord Ruthven. (At this point, I haven't suspected anything yet. Why did I say that? It's literally the start.) And well, Lord Ruthven seems not to give a shit to anybody even the ladies... :) So people were like “Wow, really got to invite this dude to parties, let's see who he takes a liking to” perhaps. So, now another main character was introduced, a young man in the name of Aubrey. He is an orphan, and is currently being cared for by guardians. He has a sister and he is also very rich. Aubrey's guardians seem like they don't really care for his safety, thinking their main responsibility is to take care of his fortune. Aubrey comes to London to y'know, have some fun, maybe spend his money. The book also describes him of having this “high romantic feeling of honour and candour” and “handsome, frank and rich.” So, in London, he finally meets Lord Ruthven, the fascinating guy earlier. Well not really ‘meet' him yet, but still observes him from afar. Oh and apparently, Aubrey's family has this kind of tradition going on for generations about a “tour” which has been “thought necessary to enable the young to take some rapid steps in the career of vice.” (Now, I'm not writing the full sentences from the book, because they are oh, so very long, I wish they were shorter.)Now, let's skip the boring details, and reach to the point where Aubrey finds out that Lord Ruthven is going to travel too, and he is very surprised to have a proposal by Lord Ruthven to join him. :|Wonder what would happen next, hmm? Lord Ruthven and Aubrey travels and reaches Rome. Aubrey leaves Lord Ruthven with the company of an Italian countess (suspicious) and Aubrey goes on to search of the memorials of another deserted and maybe ancient city. Aubrey also receives a letter in where his guardians insist upon deserting Lord Ruthven and that he is a very dangerous and suductive(?) guy. Aubrey decides to abide by this and find a reason to abandon Lord Ruthven. Aubrey also finds out that Lord Ruthven may be planning to “work upon the inexperience” of the daughter of the Italian countess that was mentioned earlier. Having been discovered this and not wanting an innocent girl to be ruined, Aubrey goes to Lord Ruthven's apartment to ask him what the hell did he want to do with the lady? Upon this question, Lord Ruthven merely answers his intentions are “such as supposed all would have upon such an occasion” and laughs upon the thought of marrying her. (I know this is still not the action, blood, bite scenes yet, but in my opinion, it's quite important to the plot.)Aubrey says to Lord Ruthven that he doesn't want to travel with him anymore (very good choice) and Lord Ruthven accepts. Now, Aubrey goes on to Athens, Greece for more work on ancient monuments where lo and behold, he falls in l o v e. Okay, so I have marked this quote from this part, and I think it's very beautiful. “Under the same roof as himself, existed a being, so beautiful and delicate, that she might have formed the model of a painter, wishing to portray on canvas the promised hope of the faithful in Mahomet's paradise, save that her eyes spoke too much mind for any one to think she could belong to those who had no souls.”There are some couple more which I liked, but this one took the spot with its beautiful lyricism. Note: I think that this book doesn't have much of beautiful writing except for describing Aubrey's love for the Greek damsel, Ianthe (this part) but the writing was quite descriptive but difficult to read.This Greek damsel was the first one who tells Aubrey of The Vampyre and he doesn't really believe her first, thinking it is all just horrible fantasies. But, his horror increases when a pretty accurate description of Lord Ruthven is told. Next morning, he sets off to do more work in the ruins when Ianthe comes and begs of him to return by nightfall because she is afraid the Vampyre(s) will get him. He at last agrees. But he is so occupied with his research that twilight comes and he does not notice it. Then he's like oh shit, and tries to make up his time by frantically galloping (with his horse how can humans gallop) but it is too late. And classic horror tale or what, it starts storming. Now DRAMA STARTS WOOOSo now the storm is starting, what else to accompany the thunder and lightning with the terrifying shrieks of a woman in a hut nearby? Aubrey opens the door and gets tackled by an enemy, who plaxwa his hands on Aubrey's throat. (hmm) And of course, he finds a corpse, which is Ianthe (cries). Aubrey becomes really really sick, like violent fever and delusions. He keeps muttering and screaming at Lord Ruthven, believing him to be the killer of his love. And, coincidentally, this event matched with the time Lord Ruthven comes to Athens and surprisingly, he helps Aubrey heal. Which is a scene I was quite confused in, like does the vampire want Aubrey not to suspect him or?When Aubrey becomes better, he just doesn't seem like his usual self anymore, he becomes to love solitude and silence. No longer angry at Lord Ruthven for the tender care he was given, he proposes to travel to Greece to places neither haven't seen yet. The lord agrees.Among these travels, they came across robbers who of course, tries to rob them. Lord Ruthven is injured, Aubrey with promises of great treasure convinces the robbers to put the lord to a nearby shelter. This is the weird part.Lord Ruthven, who doesn't have much chance of surviving now slowly dying requests Aubrey a promise. A dying promise. He makes Aubrey swear not to convey anyone his existence in the world for a hundred days. And, Aubrey (though he could do better not to have sworn but this is his supposed friend who nursed him dying) swore. An opinion as to why this was needed. Maybe the vampyre doesn't want anyone to know he has died, yet reappear again.So fast forward from all the details (though I recommend you read the whole book because there are many fascinating details as to the proof of Lord Ruthven being a vampyre) And, Aubrey becomes very sick once again, to the point of not having any response to anything whatsoever but only to his beloved sister. (yes, he got home) Memories of the oath haunts him, and he knows not why. Long story short, Lord Ruthven is alive, back from the grave, and now preying upon Miss Aubrey. (Aubrey's sister). Okay, come on n, if you're going to make someone keep a promise and he keeps it, you repay him by dating his sister and potentially killing her? Not cool, Ruthven. Later, Aubrey finds out his sister is going to be married but he is told that it was to an Earl of Marsden. Not knowing it is indeed our man the vampire, Aubrey gives his congratulations and wishes and whatnot. AND, he finds out from a locket his sister wears that it is Lord Ruthven and starts getting very agitated, begging his sister not to marry this terrible monster. His guardians thinks this is only because of the terrible illness that has befallen him and just doesn't care what he's saying by leaving him in his room. Lord Ruthven and Miss Aubrey gets married and they go off to London. Today is the day when the oath will end, and thus counting the time and when reaching midnight, he tells everyone of the vampyre, he dies. But, if you want to know what happened, this is the last two sentences of the story:“The guardians hastened to protect Miss Aubrey; but when they arrived, it was too late. Lord Ruthven had disappeared, and Aubrey's sister had glutted the thirst of a Vampyre!”

Lastly, I really enjoyed this book. Although the writing style was a bit harsh on me, I got through and the premise was very good. Also, Lord Ruthven is SUCH a vampire name.

Thank you for reading my rambles of a review of The Vampyre because honestly, I suck at organisation, and this was literally my notes strung together to make sentences. Once again, the above summarisation lacks details, and is very confusing probably.
Book day! - Umrah