Modern Vampires buying guide

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Contents

1 Books
2 TV and Movies
3 Other Products
4 Related Guides
5 External Links

Modern Vampires

It seems a lot of people want to blame Anne Rice for the recent rise in popularity of vampire lore, but come on now: I dare you to find a time when such creatures were not a popular topic of conversation. Since ancient times, there have been folkloric stories of demons with decidedly vampy characteristics. In many cultures, it seems that visits from the undead were a common fear, and a number of practices were put into effect to avoid this very thing: burying the dead upside-down, placing religious artifacts in coffins to prevent the body from being raised, scattering seeds at the grave site so the notoriously obsessive-compulsive creatures would be occupied by counting instead of fixating on their desire to feast.

Strangely, it was not until the 19th century that the first literary vampires appeared: in Lord Byron's The Giaour in 1813, Polidori's Vampyre in 1819, and of course, in Bram Stoker's 1897 masterpiece, Dracula. Likewise, with the creation of moving pictures, the Undead have proved one of the most popular subjects: from silent greats such as F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu in 1922 and Carl Theodor Dreyer's Vampyr in 1932, to Bela Lugosi's classic interpretation of Dracula in 1931, and all the way up to modern favorites like The Lost Boys (1987) or Van Helsing (2004). Clearly, a fascination with bloodsuckers is nothing new; however, the sheer volume of related TV series, books, and movies seen thus far in the 2000s is impressive. Below you will find some of the most popular series and merchandise so you can be in the low with all that this supernatural trend truly has to offer.

Books

If the 21st century has proven anything, it's that reading is more popular than ever. Young readers haven't been able to get enough of the following stories.

The Vampire Diaries
L.J. Smith
These stories about a high school girl caught in a love triangle with two vampire brothers are now being adapted into a TV series.

The Southern Vampire Mysteries
Charlaine Harris
Also known as the Sookie Stackhouse Novels, Harris's novels have also been turned into a show--find out more below.

Bloodline
Kate Cary
This unofficial sequel to Stoker's classic follows the son of Jonathan Harker and Mina Murray during World War I.

Twilight
Stephenie Meyer
The saga of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan continues in New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. This is the big one, kids.

Vampire Academy
Richelle Mead
Deep friendships, forbidden love, sex, lies, betrayal, and homework: it's all just a regular day at St. Vladimir's Academy.

TV and Movies

Whether they're on the big screen or the small, contemporary vampires make a stunning visual impact.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel
Joss Whedon DVD
Adapted from the campy 1992 movie, Buffy juggles school, slaying, and normal teen angst--much of which involves Angel.

Underworld
Len Wiseman DVD
This dark film features Kate Beckinsale, and explores the age-old (?) animosity between vampires and werewolves.

True Blood
Alan Ball DVD
As mentioned previously, True Blood is based on the Sookie Stackhouse chronicles, and has been a runaway hit on HBO.

Let the Right One In
Tomas Alfredson DVD
Based on the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist, this 2009 film tells the story of a boy who falls in love with his vampire neighbor.

Twilight Saga: New Moon
Chris Weitz DVD
This highly anticipated follow-up to 2008's Twilight features Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson as the young lovers.