Vampires: Classic Tales

by Mike Ashley (Introduction)

Drawing on a 200-year-old tradition, this original collection features a deft combination of vintage vampire tales with more contemporary stories. Anthologist Mike Ashley introduces a dozen fantasies that weave together dark, psychological elements with well-recognized vampire themes. His notes trace the development of vampire fiction, illustrating the genre's life beyond the well-known conventions established by Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Selections range from Lord Byron's contribution to the legendary storytelling session that produced Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to Nancy Holder's "Blood Gothic," a modern perspective on the corrupting influence of the romantic vampire image. Additional contributors include Alexandre Dumas, Karl von Wachsmann, Tanith Lee, Elizabeth Lynn Linton, Julian Osgood Field, R. Murray Gilchrist, Dick Donovan, Brian Stableford, Sidney Bertram, and Ernst Raupach.

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 19, 2011

About the author

Michael Raymond Donald Ashley is the author and editor of over sixty books that in total have sold over a million copies worldwide. He lives in Chatham, Kent.

Reviews

[A. L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of many old-school vampire short stories, some really old ones from the 1800's, and some from such people as a writer from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer tv series.  It was an interesting menagerie of stories, and the book also included short biographies of the authors.

Three things I liked about this book: The bios of the authors were nearly as interesting as some of the stories!  I never would have heard of some of these authors before.  There was a good variety of vampire styles and retellings of old tales as well as original ideas.

Three things I did not like about this book: It included a few incomplete stories, which was a bit frustrating.  They left in a few typos in the original manuscripts, which I suppose was to maintain authenticity, but it was a bit annoying to read.  The book was not long enough!

This was a good book, and I would read it again and recommend it, but be warned: these are not all sparkly, prissy vampires. Not all of the stories are suitable for all readers. It had some quiet, almost gentle stories, but others very intense and legitimately bone-chilling. Excellent for a blood-sucking, murderous creature of the night!

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as a vampire fiction fan. The editor did a great job of putting together the stories he did and the way they illustrated the different sides of the tradition. Enjoyable stories. Good reading.