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Interview with a Jewish Vampire
The last thing zaftig middle-aged journalist, Rhoda Ginsburg, expects when she signs up for JDate is to fall for a vampire. But when she meets drop-dead gorgeous Sheldon, a Hasidic vampire, she falls hard. She rationalizes that he may not be alive, but at least he’s Jewish. Desperate to save the life of her terminally ill mother, Rhoda comes up with the crackpot idea of getting Sheldon to turn her and her little old Jewish lady friends into vampires. Who knew that they would “go rogue” and start preying on the young?
302 pages, Paperback
First published December 13, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 11, 2012
I kept thinking that reading self-published was perhaps akin to frequenting local businesses instead of big box stores. Turns out, there's a reason that some drek just can't get published by traditional publishing houses. Unfortunately, this particular title is my second self-published read in a row...
I try to be nice when the author is a member of goodreads, but I'm afraid that's not going to happen this time. The very best thing I can say about this boook is that my local library will get a quarter or fifty cents for it when I donate it to their book sale.
I think most readers have said, at one time or another, "I could write something better than that." Alas, the reality is that most of us can't. But this book is probably a result of the author saying that. She was wrong too.
Let's see:
characters: entirely one-dimensional and irritatingly uneven
plot: weak with more holes than a gold course
pacing: goes from mach-1 to tortoise in under a page
transitions: clunk
concept: the very kernel of the concept was promising, which is why I tried the book in the first place. To say I was disappointed may be the understatement of the decade.
grammar & punctuation: sloppy
proof reading: ditto
writing: There is literally no world building here, no planning beyond the most basic stage of the concept. One proof of this is the number of times the narrative contradicts itself, sometimes within just a few pages.
If there's a sequel, I'll run screaming in the opposite direction.
I try to be nice when the author is a member of goodreads, but I'm afraid that's not going to happen this time. The very best thing I can say about this boook is that my local library will get a quarter or fifty cents for it when I donate it to their book sale.
I think most readers have said, at one time or another, "I could write something better than that." Alas, the reality is that most of us can't. But this book is probably a result of the author saying that. She was wrong too.
Let's see:
characters: entirely one-dimensional and irritatingly uneven
plot: weak with more holes than a gold course
pacing: goes from mach-1 to tortoise in under a page
transitions: clunk
concept: the very kernel of the concept was promising, which is why I tried the book in the first place. To say I was disappointed may be the understatement of the decade.
grammar & punctuation: sloppy
proof reading: ditto
writing: There is literally no world building here, no planning beyond the most basic stage of the concept. One proof of this is the number of times the narrative contradicts itself, sometimes within just a few pages.
If there's a sequel, I'll run screaming in the opposite direction.
June 22, 2012
Oy vey, have you got the wrong vampire. - The Fearless Vampire Killers, 1967 film
Rhoda Ginsburg is a Jewish middle-aged freelance journalist. through JDate, she meets Sheldon who tells her that not only is he a Hasidic Jew but also a vampire. Rhoda laughs it off at first but soon realizes the truth. she falls in love with him and her affair with the undead turns out to be more than she bargained for.
author Erica Manfred's novel about Jewish vampires is definitely unique and a surprise.
the fun begins when Rhoda informs her close friend Charlene and her mother Fanny about Sheldon. it becomes even funnier and crazier when Rhoda devises a plan to save her ocotgenarian Mom and her "goil" friends from dying of disease or old age by asking Sheldon to turn them. Wiccan witches, a golem and the tranny police are also some of the memorable characters the reader gets to meet.
i loved the book but i noted that there were some contradictory information and details regarding the use of glamour, mobile phone numbers and smoking cigars/cigarettes. i also found it a little unrealistic that Rhoda could fly back and forth to Florida or order expensive stuff online when she hardly worked at all. she must have had some savings to fall back on to be able to afford her trips and shopping but it was not mentioned in the story. if it was, i must have missed it.
still, this book was a pleasure to read. from start to finish, it is sexy, irreverent and one of the funniest books i have ever laid my hands on.
Disclosure of Material Connection: i received a copy of Interview with a Jewish Vampire from the author. i did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was i obligated to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Rhoda Ginsburg is a Jewish middle-aged freelance journalist. through JDate, she meets Sheldon who tells her that not only is he a Hasidic Jew but also a vampire. Rhoda laughs it off at first but soon realizes the truth. she falls in love with him and her affair with the undead turns out to be more than she bargained for.
author Erica Manfred's novel about Jewish vampires is definitely unique and a surprise.
the fun begins when Rhoda informs her close friend Charlene and her mother Fanny about Sheldon. it becomes even funnier and crazier when Rhoda devises a plan to save her ocotgenarian Mom and her "goil" friends from dying of disease or old age by asking Sheldon to turn them. Wiccan witches, a golem and the tranny police are also some of the memorable characters the reader gets to meet.
i loved the book but i noted that there were some contradictory information and details regarding the use of glamour, mobile phone numbers and smoking cigars/cigarettes. i also found it a little unrealistic that Rhoda could fly back and forth to Florida or order expensive stuff online when she hardly worked at all. she must have had some savings to fall back on to be able to afford her trips and shopping but it was not mentioned in the story. if it was, i must have missed it.
still, this book was a pleasure to read. from start to finish, it is sexy, irreverent and one of the funniest books i have ever laid my hands on.
Disclosure of Material Connection: i received a copy of Interview with a Jewish Vampire from the author. i did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was i obligated to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
November 11, 2012
This is the story of a romance between a Rhoda, lady journalist, and Sheldon, a Chasidic rabbi who was turned by Vlad Dracula himself. (The old Dragon was quite the anti-Semite and thought it amusing to convert devout Jews into creatures that had to subsist on blood, which is forbidden to observant Jews.)
This reads like a semi-autobiographical wish-fulfilment story. The viewpoint character, Rhoda, has remarkably little trouble in her adventures with a vampire lover. When she proposes that Sheldon turn her mother into a vampire to "cure" her heart disease, he agrees readily enough. So does her mother. A few of her friends are ready and willing to be converted as well, and a group of vampires living in the same retirement community are perfectly willing to help.
For those vampires who have trouble staying off of human blood and confining themselves to animal blood, there are "Bloodaholic Anonymous" groups and rehab clinics nearby. There are even vampire equivalents of Alanon for people who have close connections to vampires. There are, in fact, so many organized groups it's a wonder vampires have managed to stay hidden.
Anton Chekov wrote that if you have a gun hanging on the mantel in the first act, you need to fire it by the end of the third. I count at least three guns hanging on the mantel: the Vampire Authority, never seen or heard from, merely referred to, the "bad vampires", who we never see, and vampire hunters. I was expecting the other shoe to drop and about 70% of the way in one does. But it's a baby shoe, not even bronzed to make it heavier.
It's an interesting idea as far as it goes, but I found it lacking in substance.
This reads like a semi-autobiographical wish-fulfilment story. The viewpoint character, Rhoda, has remarkably little trouble in her adventures with a vampire lover. When she proposes that Sheldon turn her mother into a vampire to "cure" her heart disease, he agrees readily enough. So does her mother. A few of her friends are ready and willing to be converted as well, and a group of vampires living in the same retirement community are perfectly willing to help.
For those vampires who have trouble staying off of human blood and confining themselves to animal blood, there are "Bloodaholic Anonymous" groups and rehab clinics nearby. There are even vampire equivalents of Alanon for people who have close connections to vampires. There are, in fact, so many organized groups it's a wonder vampires have managed to stay hidden.
Anton Chekov wrote that if you have a gun hanging on the mantel in the first act, you need to fire it by the end of the third. I count at least three guns hanging on the mantel: the Vampire Authority, never seen or heard from, merely referred to, the "bad vampires", who we never see, and vampire hunters. I was expecting the other shoe to drop and about 70% of the way in one does. But it's a baby shoe, not even bronzed to make it heavier.
It's an interesting idea as far as it goes, but I found it lacking in substance.
June 1, 2012
Rhoda is 41 years old, overweight, Jewish and looking for a Jewish man to settle down with after her marriage broke up and she’s had a series of poor relationships since then. Just her luck that the first man who seems interested isn’t a man at all – he’s a vampire. But at least he’s Jewish. And he’s into her – zaftig and all.
Dating a vampire isn’t easy, especially not a vampire in an orthodox community when you’re anything but. Rhoda has to work through her own personal insecurities as well, as someone who has been through the wringer a few times already, it’s hard to be so invested in someone who is so very different; Rhoda flails between worry about their relationship to desperately trying to make it work even while Sheldon has to deal with his own family and friends.
And then there’s Rhoda’s mother with the heart condition. She has to go through yet another horrendous surgery or she won’t live much longer – and at 81, that surgery doesn’t look too safe. Unable to stand the thought of life alone, Rhoda makes the leap into seeing her mother – and her friends “the goils” become a vampire and join the Golden Grandmas – a network of elderly vampire women.
But while undeath brings her mother a new lease of life and energy, allowing her to throw herself into activities she hasn’t enjoyed in decades, it also brings with it a disturbing blood lust, a hunger that drives her to the darker side of life and death. And one that leaves bodies in its wake – and the possible attention of the vampire authorities
There is a wonderful sense of Jewish culture – Rhoda and her family and contacts are all very real people who live their culture and carry it with them at all times. It’s in their language, their food, their family bonds, their history and their understanding. It’s funny without being mocked, heavy without being stereotyped. It’s used for in community jokes but never outside mockery. It’s funny, it’s witty and the characters are extremely real and natural. The characters make this book.
We also have some fascinating conflicts – Sheldon being torn between his fellow Hasids and fellow vampires, whether Rhoda, a non-kosher, non-practicing Jew would fit in with such a traditional, orthodox family and, of course Goldie, Sheldon’s golem who is determined to see him settle down with a nice, orthodox, Jewish vampire. I’m also really disappointed with how Goldie was handled, especially since she’s clearly a stand in for Sheldon’s mother. I would rather have had reconciliation rather than the future wife having to kill her future mother-in-law for the wedding to even happen.
Read More
Dating a vampire isn’t easy, especially not a vampire in an orthodox community when you’re anything but. Rhoda has to work through her own personal insecurities as well, as someone who has been through the wringer a few times already, it’s hard to be so invested in someone who is so very different; Rhoda flails between worry about their relationship to desperately trying to make it work even while Sheldon has to deal with his own family and friends.
And then there’s Rhoda’s mother with the heart condition. She has to go through yet another horrendous surgery or she won’t live much longer – and at 81, that surgery doesn’t look too safe. Unable to stand the thought of life alone, Rhoda makes the leap into seeing her mother – and her friends “the goils” become a vampire and join the Golden Grandmas – a network of elderly vampire women.
But while undeath brings her mother a new lease of life and energy, allowing her to throw herself into activities she hasn’t enjoyed in decades, it also brings with it a disturbing blood lust, a hunger that drives her to the darker side of life and death. And one that leaves bodies in its wake – and the possible attention of the vampire authorities
There is a wonderful sense of Jewish culture – Rhoda and her family and contacts are all very real people who live their culture and carry it with them at all times. It’s in their language, their food, their family bonds, their history and their understanding. It’s funny without being mocked, heavy without being stereotyped. It’s used for in community jokes but never outside mockery. It’s funny, it’s witty and the characters are extremely real and natural. The characters make this book.
We also have some fascinating conflicts – Sheldon being torn between his fellow Hasids and fellow vampires, whether Rhoda, a non-kosher, non-practicing Jew would fit in with such a traditional, orthodox family and, of course Goldie, Sheldon’s golem who is determined to see him settle down with a nice, orthodox, Jewish vampire. I’m also really disappointed with how Goldie was handled, especially since she’s clearly a stand in for Sheldon’s mother. I would rather have had reconciliation rather than the future wife having to kill her future mother-in-law for the wedding to even happen.
Read More
September 5, 2013
Putting together the vampire meme with Jewish humor was a real kick. If you know Jewish culture, there are a lot of laughs to be had, and if you don't, it's worth it for the laughs when you tell your friends you're reading "Interview with a Jewish Vampire."
The protagonist, zaftig 41-year-old Jewess Rhoda, is a sex-starved journalist who finally finds her perfect match: Sheldon, a vampire who loves her extra weight but won't suck her blood because he belongs to BA--that's right, Bloodaholics Anonymous! Yes, they have meetings, and yes, there's no crosstalk allowed, and yes, they recommend sucking the blood of vermin and other small animals so that they won't feast on humans. Really now!
There are so many contemporary twists to this one. Sheldon and Rhoda meet through JDate (!) and have fabulous sex (athletic vampire sex, no less!), but then he doesn't call! Rhoda begins reading a self-help book called, appropriately enough, So You Want to Marry a Vampire: The Rules for Capturing the Heart of a Creature of the Night. Turns out there's an awful lot of vampire sex in this book, if you're squeamish. But get this: The other woman is a golem! J. Edgar Hoover was a vampire hunter! Rhoda gets to fly on Sheldon's back! And wWhen Rhoda's Jewish mother gets into the act, things get polyester really quick. And get this: An advantage of being a senior citizen vampire is that you can drive at night!
I don't want to give away the plot, as much fun as that might be, but suffice it to say that there's a relationship to work out, some bad guys to suck on, and a few bite marks to distribute as vengeance may demand. And the best part of it may be that the zaftig woman gets the man while her looker best friend gets ignored. Sweet. This book is really funny and had me laughing out loud. If you're looking for a light romp that far surpasses the juvenile "Twilight," try this story about a vampire from a 19th-century shtetl who enters the 21st century flying.
The protagonist, zaftig 41-year-old Jewess Rhoda, is a sex-starved journalist who finally finds her perfect match: Sheldon, a vampire who loves her extra weight but won't suck her blood because he belongs to BA--that's right, Bloodaholics Anonymous! Yes, they have meetings, and yes, there's no crosstalk allowed, and yes, they recommend sucking the blood of vermin and other small animals so that they won't feast on humans. Really now!
There are so many contemporary twists to this one. Sheldon and Rhoda meet through JDate (!) and have fabulous sex (athletic vampire sex, no less!), but then he doesn't call! Rhoda begins reading a self-help book called, appropriately enough, So You Want to Marry a Vampire: The Rules for Capturing the Heart of a Creature of the Night. Turns out there's an awful lot of vampire sex in this book, if you're squeamish. But get this: The other woman is a golem! J. Edgar Hoover was a vampire hunter! Rhoda gets to fly on Sheldon's back! And wWhen Rhoda's Jewish mother gets into the act, things get polyester really quick. And get this: An advantage of being a senior citizen vampire is that you can drive at night!
I don't want to give away the plot, as much fun as that might be, but suffice it to say that there's a relationship to work out, some bad guys to suck on, and a few bite marks to distribute as vengeance may demand. And the best part of it may be that the zaftig woman gets the man while her looker best friend gets ignored. Sweet. This book is really funny and had me laughing out loud. If you're looking for a light romp that far surpasses the juvenile "Twilight," try this story about a vampire from a 19th-century shtetl who enters the 21st century flying.
May 13, 2013
This comes later than all the other vampire books, but with good reason....it captures and satirizes the genre in a gentle and humorous way. It also captures the heart of Jewish humor.....there is so much about Jewish guilt, Jewish mothers, Jewish religious beliefs and other things we often see in movies by Woody Allen, with Barbara Streisand and other noted actors/actresses/writers/directors who feature the Florida/New York Jewish culture in a humorous way. Sheldon is a vampire who was once turned by Dracula into one because Dracula thought it would be funny to turn a kosher rabbi into a blood sucker. Rhoda is a 41-year old HUMAN who falls for him. She also has a mother who is very sick...and is (not really a spoiler as it is predictable but don't read if you don't want to know) turned into a vampire. The adventures of Sheldon and Rhoda and the antics of her mother make the bulk of the story with some hot sex scenes to keep the romantic story line steamy. The characters are not exactly well-developed, but it is not the point of the story...it IS a satire and fun look at vampire obsession. BA for Bloodaholics Anonymous, rehab for vampires who are addicted to human blood take the best of AA and don't mock that aspect, but they do poke fun at just about everything else. It is a spoof and should be read within that understanding but it also does HOMAGE to Anne Rice and True Blood...it is clear the author likes the genre as she pokes fun at the obsession. I recommend it for a light, fun read. I also got it as a Kindle deal for just a few dollars, so if you have a Kindle be on the lookout for it to be featured again.
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June 12, 2020Interview with a Vampire was one heck of a good read so I really wanted Interview with a Jewish Vampire to be a nod to a great book, rather than a travesty against one. Rhoda Ginsberg isn’t your typical vampire novel heroine – but luckily Sheldon isn’t your typical vampire! Of course, as the title tells us, he’s Jewish. He’s also on the wagon, attending meetings to try and curb his addiction to human blood and counting every ‘sober’ day.
It really is a remarkably entertaining book, that just goes from one strange and ludicrous event to another. Dating a vampire? Weird. Dating a Jewish vampire? Even weirder! Trying to get your Jewish vampire boyfriend to turn your mother into a vampire? Well, what can I say to that… It should be frustratingly ridiculous and have you hurling the book into some handily placed receptacle but actually it’s so darn funny that you’re too busy enjoying it.
Sometimes, life is full of the serious and the sensible and a rare treat like this – full of smiles and silliness and laughter – is the perfect anecdote. It’s wicked, it’s funny, it’s naughty, it’s fabulous – and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
This review was originally posted on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave. I received a copy of the book in exchange for my fair and honest review.
It really is a remarkably entertaining book, that just goes from one strange and ludicrous event to another. Dating a vampire? Weird. Dating a Jewish vampire? Even weirder! Trying to get your Jewish vampire boyfriend to turn your mother into a vampire? Well, what can I say to that… It should be frustratingly ridiculous and have you hurling the book into some handily placed receptacle but actually it’s so darn funny that you’re too busy enjoying it.
Sometimes, life is full of the serious and the sensible and a rare treat like this – full of smiles and silliness and laughter – is the perfect anecdote. It’s wicked, it’s funny, it’s naughty, it’s fabulous – and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
This review was originally posted on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave. I received a copy of the book in exchange for my fair and honest review.
May 16, 2013
This was much better than I had hoped. The plot actually moved along and the writing was actually good. Much of it was funny, in an ethnocentric kind of way. If you do not know any Yiddish and are not familiar with Jewish-American Culture, you are not gong to like this book, because the "inside" jokes are not explained.
To be fair, a more accurate rating would be based on the reader. ie :
Female Jewish Reader : ****
Female non-Jewish but familiar with Jewish Culture : ***
Male Jewish Reader: ***
Male non-Jewish Blue State : **
Female Overweight Single Jew who likes Fantasy fiction : *****
Non-Jew, Red State but you like Vampires and you fantasize about becoming one some day : **
Non-Jew, you are not obsessed with vampires and you are not sure what "Yiddish" is : *
You live in Little Rock, listen to Country Music, watch Fox news, and think you once saw a Jewish person : what are you doing on GoodReads, anyway?
To be fair, a more accurate rating would be based on the reader. ie :
Female Jewish Reader : ****
Female non-Jewish but familiar with Jewish Culture : ***
Male Jewish Reader: ***
Male non-Jewish Blue State : **
Female Overweight Single Jew who likes Fantasy fiction : *****
Non-Jew, Red State but you like Vampires and you fantasize about becoming one some day : **
Non-Jew, you are not obsessed with vampires and you are not sure what "Yiddish" is : *
You live in Little Rock, listen to Country Music, watch Fox news, and think you once saw a Jewish person : what are you doing on GoodReads, anyway?
August 30, 2013
Insane start to finish with all the typical Jewish humor and schtick! How could I resist a Talmud scholar who is over 150 years old hiding in Crown Heights, Brooklyn?? This is perhaps the most insane thing I have read all year! I had it on my wish list for a long time, but the Los Angeles Public Library could not see fit to get it in, so I bought it and am I glad I did! I laughed and laughed. Everyone needs to laugh until they cry.
What's more, the heroine is wonderful!!! I totally loved her. Someone who loves life is the perfect mate for a nice Jewish Vampire!
All I can say is that if you enjoy Vampire fiction and you want to laugh, read this!
What's more, the heroine is wonderful!!! I totally loved her. Someone who loves life is the perfect mate for a nice Jewish Vampire!
All I can say is that if you enjoy Vampire fiction and you want to laugh, read this!
July 8, 2012
Interesting concept. Somewhat witty. Great to see Jewish vampire books on the market. I think the author tried to include too many things in the book which took it over the top. Jewish vampires, old people vampires, golems, famous Jewish people, and more. It did keep me entertained.
Want to read
August 26, 2012The synopsis cracked me up. Kindle free download 8/25/12.
Want to read
August 26, 2012This book is FREE on amazon!
January 5, 2023
Refreshingly funny
I really enjoyed this story. Who wouldn't want to date a sexy vampire or want a way to have your mom live forever. I laughed, I cried and totally cast the movie of this in my head.
I really enjoyed this story. Who wouldn't want to date a sexy vampire or want a way to have your mom live forever. I laughed, I cried and totally cast the movie of this in my head.
August 7, 2024
I read this on a whim looking for jewish fic.
It has some good commentary on Jewish culture, but honestly it feels snide and judgy to literally everybody, especially minorities who aren’t Jewish.
It has some good commentary on Jewish culture, but honestly it feels snide and judgy to literally everybody, especially minorities who aren’t Jewish.
February 23, 2012
I was talking to my sister on the phone and told her I was reading Interview with a Jewish Vampire.
"Oh? Is it scary?" she asked.
"Well, if you were an elderly person turned vampire and you had dentures, it might be?" I went on to explain some of the other situations that the vampires and the humans who loved them faced The sound of her laughter on the phone was the sound she makes when tears are coming to her eyes, she was laughing so hard.
I seldom actually laugh out loud when reading, but I definitely did on this one. It wasn't just funny, but also a heartfelt story about love, relationships, the fear of growing old, death and loss. The characters are well developed from somewhat shy, out-of-date, definitely hot in spirit if not in body temperature Sheldon, to neurotic and desperate Rhoda. There is also a cast of unexpected characters helping and hindering along the way -- the old ladies, witches, transvestites, drug dealers and bloodsuckers anonymous.
Of course the vampires in this book are a resourceful bunch and find solutions to all sorts of problems that are often overlooked when considering the undead --like how do Jewish vampires keep kosher? That's an important question especially when Sheldon (name changed to protect the not so innocent) is a nice Jewish boy who is also the Rabbi to a group of Hasidic Jews and has a Golem who thinks she's his Jewish mother. Rhoda, a 41 year old divorced and overweight journalist, who meets Sheldon on J Dates starts out interviewing him and they fall in love. But then there's her mother, her last relative, who is dying. Can Sheldon be of help?
I enjoyed Manfred's style. Her descriptions are visual and just enough to get the reader into the scene. She handles her characters with much warmth and of course, humor. There are sexual situations -- a lot of sexual situations, but they are not graphic, and often funny. I found Rhoda worrying about her house keeping habits while having sex on the floor because she's getting dust bunnies on her tush hilarious.
I highly recommend this book!
"Oh? Is it scary?" she asked.
"Well, if you were an elderly person turned vampire and you had dentures, it might be?" I went on to explain some of the other situations that the vampires and the humans who loved them faced The sound of her laughter on the phone was the sound she makes when tears are coming to her eyes, she was laughing so hard.
I seldom actually laugh out loud when reading, but I definitely did on this one. It wasn't just funny, but also a heartfelt story about love, relationships, the fear of growing old, death and loss. The characters are well developed from somewhat shy, out-of-date, definitely hot in spirit if not in body temperature Sheldon, to neurotic and desperate Rhoda. There is also a cast of unexpected characters helping and hindering along the way -- the old ladies, witches, transvestites, drug dealers and bloodsuckers anonymous.
Of course the vampires in this book are a resourceful bunch and find solutions to all sorts of problems that are often overlooked when considering the undead --like how do Jewish vampires keep kosher? That's an important question especially when Sheldon (name changed to protect the not so innocent) is a nice Jewish boy who is also the Rabbi to a group of Hasidic Jews and has a Golem who thinks she's his Jewish mother. Rhoda, a 41 year old divorced and overweight journalist, who meets Sheldon on J Dates starts out interviewing him and they fall in love. But then there's her mother, her last relative, who is dying. Can Sheldon be of help?
I enjoyed Manfred's style. Her descriptions are visual and just enough to get the reader into the scene. She handles her characters with much warmth and of course, humor. There are sexual situations -- a lot of sexual situations, but they are not graphic, and often funny. I found Rhoda worrying about her house keeping habits while having sex on the floor because she's getting dust bunnies on her tush hilarious.
I highly recommend this book!
February 18, 2015
I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m not a big fan of vampires. I have not read, nor do I plan on reading Twilight, I have never seen an episode of Buffy, and I’ve only seen one episode of True Blood. Well, I watched part of an episode, but it was so…ick. And well, I didn’t watch the rest of it. So I was surprised when I agreed to read Interview With a Jewish Vampire by Erica Manfred, but there was something about the blurb that lured me in. Maybe it was her snarky sense of humor, or the irony of a Jewish vampire (I mean, how are you going to ward them off? Not with a cross.).
Whatever it was, I caved, put my ick factor away for the day, and dove right in. Erica has a fabulous sense of humor which pulled me in from the beginning and I must admit, there is something charming about a man who likes his women a little chubby–even if that man is a vampire. (Oh, the bygone era of Rubuen). But the heart of a great book lies in the reader’s ability to idenitfy with the characters. And Erica has this down to an art. There is so much in this book for reader’s to connect with. Even if you’re not Jewish or over-weight, most of us have regrets in our lives, like Rhoda, our heroine who is over 40 and childless. And I would chance to say that most of us would do danged near anything to keep our loved ones with us always. And Sheldon, our Jewish rabbi vamp? Well, he’s pretty great. Even with his little quirks–like insomnia, a golem who doubles as a guilt-flinging Jewish mother, and well, the fact that he’s a vampire–he still comes out on top. And he’s more than perfect for Rhoda.
But I think what I liked best was the simple fact that the book doesn’t take itself so seriously. Certainly not like other vamp works (okay, I admit to reading Salem’s Lot, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Interview with a Vampire, but that’s all you’re getting out of me.) Despite some of the issues Rhoda faces–her mother’s mortality topping that list– it was still a FUN read. There’s no ick factor, no spurting blood, no damned for eternity. And I loved it!
So take it from this not-digging-the-undead-craze reader, this is one vampire book you don’t want to miss!
Whatever it was, I caved, put my ick factor away for the day, and dove right in. Erica has a fabulous sense of humor which pulled me in from the beginning and I must admit, there is something charming about a man who likes his women a little chubby–even if that man is a vampire. (Oh, the bygone era of Rubuen). But the heart of a great book lies in the reader’s ability to idenitfy with the characters. And Erica has this down to an art. There is so much in this book for reader’s to connect with. Even if you’re not Jewish or over-weight, most of us have regrets in our lives, like Rhoda, our heroine who is over 40 and childless. And I would chance to say that most of us would do danged near anything to keep our loved ones with us always. And Sheldon, our Jewish rabbi vamp? Well, he’s pretty great. Even with his little quirks–like insomnia, a golem who doubles as a guilt-flinging Jewish mother, and well, the fact that he’s a vampire–he still comes out on top. And he’s more than perfect for Rhoda.
But I think what I liked best was the simple fact that the book doesn’t take itself so seriously. Certainly not like other vamp works (okay, I admit to reading Salem’s Lot, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Interview with a Vampire, but that’s all you’re getting out of me.) Despite some of the issues Rhoda faces–her mother’s mortality topping that list– it was still a FUN read. There’s no ick factor, no spurting blood, no damned for eternity. And I loved it!
So take it from this not-digging-the-undead-craze reader, this is one vampire book you don’t want to miss!
April 25, 2014
Oy vey! Where do I start with this book? This is about an obese middle-aged Jewish divorcee with an eating disorder, who meets a vampire rabbi through an on-line dating site. Yes, really.
The author unapologetically borrows from at multiple other vampire series, including Buffy, Anne Rice, the Sookie Stackhouse series, Anita Blake. She even includes the Talamasca (as having an active and open website, no less.
Her research apart from these sources is nil. The rabbi supposedly was turned by Vlad the Impaler in the late 1800s, except that Vlad lived in the mid 1400s. Ooops!
Her grasp of basic medicine is also precarious. At one point, the heroine's (Rhoda) mother's doctor breaks HIIPA confidentiality laws to inform her that her mother has a bad valve and she was going to die of a heart attack from it if untreated. This is actually enough for a doctor to lose his/her license over, but then we come to the bad medicine. The mother had previous cardiac surgeries (unspecified), and there is no way that any valvular problems would be missed, but whatever. Furthermore, if she were to die from valvular pbolems, it would be from congestive heart failure and/or pulmonary edema. A quick check with a search engine could have provided these basics, but whatever. Why take 15 precious seconds to fact-check when you can just make drek up?
Yiddish and a bit of Hebrew is thrown in liberally; most of it is in common usage, but some might puzzle the reader.
Anyway, the plot derives from the romance, and from the idea of "What if I made my 80 y/o mother a vampire? Then I'll never have to lose her!". Madcap adventures ensue.
I got this as a Kindle freebie. It was mildly entertaining, but just barely. For non-Jews, it's not really worth the time for this derivative piece of fluff.
The author unapologetically borrows from at multiple other vampire series, including Buffy, Anne Rice, the Sookie Stackhouse series, Anita Blake. She even includes the Talamasca (as having an active and open website, no less.
Her research apart from these sources is nil. The rabbi supposedly was turned by Vlad the Impaler in the late 1800s, except that Vlad lived in the mid 1400s. Ooops!
Her grasp of basic medicine is also precarious. At one point, the heroine's (Rhoda) mother's doctor breaks HIIPA confidentiality laws to inform her that her mother has a bad valve and she was going to die of a heart attack from it if untreated. This is actually enough for a doctor to lose his/her license over, but then we come to the bad medicine. The mother had previous cardiac surgeries (unspecified), and there is no way that any valvular problems would be missed, but whatever. Furthermore, if she were to die from valvular pbolems, it would be from congestive heart failure and/or pulmonary edema. A quick check with a search engine could have provided these basics, but whatever. Why take 15 precious seconds to fact-check when you can just make drek up?
Yiddish and a bit of Hebrew is thrown in liberally; most of it is in common usage, but some might puzzle the reader.
Anyway, the plot derives from the romance, and from the idea of "What if I made my 80 y/o mother a vampire? Then I'll never have to lose her!". Madcap adventures ensue.
I got this as a Kindle freebie. It was mildly entertaining, but just barely. For non-Jews, it's not really worth the time for this derivative piece of fluff.
June 3, 2012
Erica Manfred is currently on tour with Interview With a Jewish Vampire and CLP Blog Tours. When Erica approached me about running her tour, I did have some worries. Would I be able to find a good market for her with such a specific niche and – do I even like vampires? I was never one that got into the Twilight or other vampires books/TV shows, but I really wanted to give this one a chance. And I’m glad I did! The reviews that have been coming in for the book are terrific, and I’m happy to say I think it was a fun read as well.
The main character is Rhoda Ginsburg, a middle-aged journalist who signs up on JDate after her divorce and goes on a date with a vampire. It takes a bit for Rhoda to become convinced that Sheldon is indeed a vampire, but when he holds up the mirror and has no reflection, she starts to become intrigued. The two form a relationship and try to be as normal as they can – considering Sheldon sleeps in a coffin during the day, drinks blood (mainly animals, not humans) and will never age. When Rhoda learns that her mother has become terminally ill she gets the idea for Sheldon to turn her into a vampire, so then she will never die. But then Rhoda faces the question – with her boyfriend and mother both vampires, should she turn as well?
There was so much humor in this book, along with a great love story and a fab cast of supporting characters. Manfred really did a terrific job at throwing all the typical stereotypes about vampires out the window and making her own unique story, which I think is pretty impressive. Even if you have decided that the vampire craze is not your thing, I would still recommend you read this story. I hope there is more to come!
The main character is Rhoda Ginsburg, a middle-aged journalist who signs up on JDate after her divorce and goes on a date with a vampire. It takes a bit for Rhoda to become convinced that Sheldon is indeed a vampire, but when he holds up the mirror and has no reflection, she starts to become intrigued. The two form a relationship and try to be as normal as they can – considering Sheldon sleeps in a coffin during the day, drinks blood (mainly animals, not humans) and will never age. When Rhoda learns that her mother has become terminally ill she gets the idea for Sheldon to turn her into a vampire, so then she will never die. But then Rhoda faces the question – with her boyfriend and mother both vampires, should she turn as well?
There was so much humor in this book, along with a great love story and a fab cast of supporting characters. Manfred really did a terrific job at throwing all the typical stereotypes about vampires out the window and making her own unique story, which I think is pretty impressive. Even if you have decided that the vampire craze is not your thing, I would still recommend you read this story. I hope there is more to come!
November 13, 2012
From Lilac Wolf and Stuff
This story moves fast and it's cute and funny. There are moments when storyline is inconsistent, but in general you forgive just to sit back and enjoy the silly. Come on, a Jewish vampire???
Sheldon was turned by the infamous Vlad, himself. He talks about how Vlad was anti-Semitic and thought it a great joke to turn a Rabi into a vampire. Joke was on him when Vlad was staked, and Sheldon lived peacefully among the villagers. Now, after having lost his amassed fortune in a ponzi-scheme, he works nights as a diamond cutter and lives with a group of jewish vampires.
My favorite part, Rhoda is a plus size woman just like me. And truthfully plus, not bad-joke plus. And having someone desire you, is such a confidence boost, even if the guy is a vampire. She also sees a way to save her ailing mother, when she just can't bear the thought of losing her only family.
This story moves fast and it's cute and funny. There are moments when storyline is inconsistent, but in general you forgive just to sit back and enjoy the silly. Come on, a Jewish vampire???
Sheldon was turned by the infamous Vlad, himself. He talks about how Vlad was anti-Semitic and thought it a great joke to turn a Rabi into a vampire. Joke was on him when Vlad was staked, and Sheldon lived peacefully among the villagers. Now, after having lost his amassed fortune in a ponzi-scheme, he works nights as a diamond cutter and lives with a group of jewish vampires.
My favorite part, Rhoda is a plus size woman just like me. And truthfully plus, not bad-joke plus. And having someone desire you, is such a confidence boost, even if the guy is a vampire. She also sees a way to save her ailing mother, when she just can't bear the thought of losing her only family.
August 1, 2013
The last thing zaftig middle-aged journalist, Rhoda Ginsburg, expects when she signs up for JDate is to fall for a vampire. But when she meets drop-dead gorgeous Sheldon, a Hasidic vampire, she falls hard. She rationalizes that he may not be alive, but at least he’s Jewish. Desperate to save the life of her terminally ill mother, Rhoda comes up with the crackpot idea of getting Sheldon to turn her and her little old Jewish lady friends into vampires. Who knew that they would “go rogue” and start preying on the young?
This book was hilarious, and not just because I'm Jewish. The characters were very relatable to anyone that's been in and out of bad relationships and finds themselves thinking that they will never find Mr/Ms Right. I laughed my way through the book, while at the same time sympathizing with not only the main characters but also the background ones.
I think anyone in need of a good laugh should pick this book up.
This book was hilarious, and not just because I'm Jewish. The characters were very relatable to anyone that's been in and out of bad relationships and finds themselves thinking that they will never find Mr/Ms Right. I laughed my way through the book, while at the same time sympathizing with not only the main characters but also the background ones.
I think anyone in need of a good laugh should pick this book up.
May 21, 2012
Really... just by the title I could tell this was going to be a funny book. And funny it was! Yes, many books nowadays involve vampires... but a Jewish vampire from NYC whose love interest is an overweight, divorced, sex-craved 41 year old that wanted him to turn her elderly mother into a vampire too? Seriously, where did Erica come up with this idea? :)
Erica did a great job of developing the characters sufficiently while bringing in humor whenever possible. The story was quick, light, and extremely humorous.
I do have to say there were a lot of Jewish words used that I had to look up while reading. It did slow down the reading time a bit, but it didn't take away from the enjoyment of the story at all.
I would definitely recommend Interview with a Jewish Vampire to anyone looking for a silly twist on vampire books, with a little bit of romance thrown in too.
Erica did a great job of developing the characters sufficiently while bringing in humor whenever possible. The story was quick, light, and extremely humorous.
I do have to say there were a lot of Jewish words used that I had to look up while reading. It did slow down the reading time a bit, but it didn't take away from the enjoyment of the story at all.
I would definitely recommend Interview with a Jewish Vampire to anyone looking for a silly twist on vampire books, with a little bit of romance thrown in too.
September 6, 2012
This was an interesting read. I thought it might be good as I enjoyed Ann Rice's Interview With A Vampire. This was not like that at all, this is Rhoda's story on falling in love with a vampire, and what happens to her life afterwards. A little raunchy when sex mentioned, the story does not go that route much but when it does it almost doesn't seem a necessary part of the story. I guess you can't have a vampire story without sex, it seems to be in all the vampire books I've read. So I should just accept it, I do. This was funny in parts and other times kept you turning the page. Really I enjoyed the book, the author broke into new ground with the thought of Jewish vampires, glad someone thought of something different to do with a vampire story. Bravo for that, it was definitely a new story, unlike any other.
May 11, 2013
When I read that this book was going to be a cross between Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire and Mel Brooks, I thought it would be very funny and interesting at the same time.
Since this was suppose to be an interview with a vampire, I feel disappointed that I didn't learn a lot about our main vampire, Sheldon. I learned even less about his vampire brother. Other than mentioning the brother, he don't actually 'meet' him at all in the story.
The main female lead, Rhoda, had a 'Woe is me' thing going on and whined about everything that happened in the whole book.
I did not find this book overly amusing. As a matter of fact, I didn't find it amusing at all. There were a lot of Jewish terminology used in the book. Mostly it was used in a derogatory name-calling way. Maybe I just wasn't open minded enough to let it slide.
Since this was suppose to be an interview with a vampire, I feel disappointed that I didn't learn a lot about our main vampire, Sheldon. I learned even less about his vampire brother. Other than mentioning the brother, he don't actually 'meet' him at all in the story.
The main female lead, Rhoda, had a 'Woe is me' thing going on and whined about everything that happened in the whole book.
I did not find this book overly amusing. As a matter of fact, I didn't find it amusing at all. There were a lot of Jewish terminology used in the book. Mostly it was used in a derogatory name-calling way. Maybe I just wasn't open minded enough to let it slide.
May 29, 2013
The title was comical, so I half expected the book to be as well. Chapter after chapter I read, waiting for the punch line..Jewish Rabbi vampires, chunky atheists with self image issues, transvestites and the Miami club scene. The last page has been read, and I'm exhausted. Although I'm not sure if it's from the writing, which is so much without detail that I'm pretty sure the transvestites in the story were rolling over in their pages,(haha, see what i did there? :p) or the fact that it took me a whole 7 days of picking it up and putting it down. Who needs a gym, when you have a boring book, yet are OCD about never finishing one once you start it.
October 1, 2012
Well, I'm a convert. I have not read nor seen Twilight or Interview with a Vampire nor Trueblood BUT this parody/extension of the vampire genre is so funny and so cute that I may go back and read some of the original vampire stuff just based on the allusions to it in this book. I only read it because my friend, Alice Holloway, pointed it out to me. It's cute, funny, silly and makes sense at the same time. Would your Jewish mother approve if you were 41 years old, single and had a Jewish rabbi vampire for a boyfriend?
September 3, 2012
Please don't read this book, unless you have to. It's just so bad.
That the protagonist meets the vampire rabbi who would become her fiance on JDate within the first few pages should've been enough for me to put it away, but I hoped it would get better as the story progressed.
I think Manfred's sense of humor might appeal to people who hold stereotypes of Jews, and maybe even to some Jews, but certainly not to this Jew.
That the protagonist meets the vampire rabbi who would become her fiance on JDate within the first few pages should've been enough for me to put it away, but I hoped it would get better as the story progressed.
I think Manfred's sense of humor might appeal to people who hold stereotypes of Jews, and maybe even to some Jews, but certainly not to this Jew.
December 10, 2013
I was glad I won this book in a Goodreads' giveaway because now I'm a fan of it. I love the way the story was quick and to the point, although I would have loved to see certain development on some of the scenes- like the part about Goldie being deactivated, I would have loved to see more of Sheldon's emotions and Sheldon's brother speaking to Rhonda. Overall,I really enjoyed the story-it was cute, funny, and entertaining to read. Plus, I plan to get as many of my friends to read the story.:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 28, 2015A good fun read
I enjoyed this, more than I expected to.
Light, fun and moves at a good pace. It's not great literature and in the genre of humorous vampire fiction I prefer Matt Haig's The Radleys for its originality ( though this is original, albeit given away by the title) as well as the quality of the writing. I would be happy to read a follow-up to this, should one ever be written.
I enjoyed this, more than I expected to.
Light, fun and moves at a good pace. It's not great literature and in the genre of humorous vampire fiction I prefer Matt Haig's The Radleys for its originality ( though this is original, albeit given away by the title) as well as the quality of the writing. I would be happy to read a follow-up to this, should one ever be written.
May 26, 2013
It was cute. Not at all what I was expecting, which would have been some sort of parody of Anne Rice's book, instead, this is just a fun little casual romance novel with little, in the end, to do with vampires other than that they're the majority of the characters in the book. But the vampirism, while constantly referred to, plays little role in the central story.
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October 30, 2014Funny and intriguing read
I love Interview with a Vampire movie, so I thought this might be a good book to read. I can't tell how much I enjoyed the book and I wasn't able to put it down... it's a good book when you need a laugh and definitely not your Twilight garbage.
I just simply love Rhoda and Sheldon, especially Goldie- she sure packs an attitude!
I love Interview with a Vampire movie, so I thought this might be a good book to read. I can't tell how much I enjoyed the book and I wasn't able to put it down... it's a good book when you need a laugh and definitely not your Twilight garbage.
I just simply love Rhoda and Sheldon, especially Goldie- she sure packs an attitude!
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