The Vampire

by Jan Neruda

Short fiction, horror set on an Island.

Genres: Short Stories, Horror, Vampires, Classics, Fiction, Czech Literature, 20th Century

10 pages, feedbooks online

First published January 1, 1920

About the author

Jan Nepomuk Neruda was a Czech journalist, writer and poet, one of the most prominent representatives of Czech Realism and a member of "the May school".

Reviews

[PinkPanthress · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is set on the Island of Büyükada (Big Island)/Prinkipos (Πρίγκηπος = Prince) a few kilometres south of Istanbul in the Ottoman Empire. (Btw, this car-free Island is a beauty in RL!)

The Narrator tells us about his observations while on an excursion to the Island with a few stranger of whom one a is sickly young girl. We have her family and her lover as well as an artist which the Narrator tells us about and the events, that surrounds them.

This was a nice read with 10 pages (≈ 10 minutes).
I was positively surprised by this short piece from an Austrian-Czech Gentleman of the last century. After a few minutes into it (I read while listening to it) I had a good idea about what would happen but I still enjoyed the piece as it was.
You can clearly read between the words that the author was a poet AND that the translator is well versed in translating between both languages (Czech & English).

If you want to listen to or read this short story. Here are the Links.
For your ears -> »Vampire« @ Youtube
For your eyes -> »Vampire« @ Project Gutenberg of Australia

[Zanela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nearly failed to answer half the questions during the UPCAT because I read this story 3 times over, memorizing it, and eventually finding it once I got home. Worth it.

Actual thoughts: There was more attention given to descriptive language than there was to the plot itself; so when the ending came, it came with a force strong enough to shock but not one strong enough to make perfect sense. Still, I enjoyed reading this one during the test, and I still do.

[Milena · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I was reading, I wondered what kind of vampire the story is talking about. And perhaps this is the very fascination of this short story set on an island near Constantinople. I heard about the story when I read that Jaroslav Panuska drew inspiration from Neruda’s tale for his painting of the same name, where he draws the spirit “with amorphous, elongated, changeable faces, both human and animal” (arte e magia - Rovigo 2018 - Exhibition Catalogue). A very short story, just four pages, downloadable for free on the Internet, and worth reading.


Jaroslav Panuska/Vampire

[Ken B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very short. The author spends more time describing the scenery than attacking the plot line. The title is more than a bit deceiving. This is not a story about a vampire, but rather about a morbid character whom the locals nicknamed "The Vampire".

2 STARS

[MenteDe Estrellas · Rating 1 out of 5]

En el momento que muere la chica logra crear muy buena atmosfera de tensión pero me quedó la sensación que falto algo más, además que como tal no salió la figura del vampiro

[A.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The English translation of this 1871 story first appeared in 1920. I wonder if it is a mistranslation; the man is referred to as a vampire and a vulture.

But it is rather creepy, but I keep thinking about it. I have so many questions.

3 stars

is it a 'gift', like the cat in the palliative care unit that sits with the next to die. Is he painting people he drained earlier waiting for their life to run out, as it were. Is he a distance vampire?

[Timothy Morrison]

🔔The waters of the Sea of Marmora were only slightly ruffled, and played in all colours like a sparkling opal. In the distance was the ocean, white as milk, then rose-tinted, then between two islands like a glowing orange, and beneath us of a beautiful greenish-blue like a transparent sapphire. It was alone in its beauty; no large ​vessels were to be seen. Only two email craft with English flags were slipping along hard by the shore. One was a steam-boat, the size of a watchman's booth, the other was manned by about twelve rowers, and when all their oars were lifted at the same time, it was as if molten silver were trickling from them. Artless dolphins were moving in their midst, and flew in long curves above the surface of the water. From time to time across the blue sky peaceful eagles soared, measuring out a boundary between two portions of the world

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 A strange occurrence during a vacation in the Greek islands. Amongst the travelers is an interesting young man, who appears to be an artist because he carries a portfolio with him. It turns out that the locals call him The Vampire. Originally published in Czech in 1871 and finally translated into English in 1920.
I liked it, but I wish it had been longer.

[Cecil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story from the 1920's. While it was a good book, I didn't feel that the plot was very well developed.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Vampire, Jan Neruda (1834-1891), Czech.
“The air was as clear as a diamond, so soft, so caressing, that one’s whole soul swung upon it into the distance.”
Delightful conditions of the Turkish island of Prinkipo. Cool story of a young Greek artist .. the vampire. ***

[Monty Dagfinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this short story :) the descriptions of the setting, Prinkipo are just beautiful and while the man isn't actually a vampire he still truly embodies the essence of the monster. That's my interpretation. 👍
5/5 stars

[Berker Koccaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems like a magical vampire to me..

[8HayAlana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting how the Greek artist was able to predict one's death through his drawings

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compelling!

[Peter Skjøtt Poulsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little snippet of a story. Very moody and atmospheric and with a neat little twist in the vein of old gothic horror stories.

[Forked Radish · Rating 2 out of 5]

A great way to sell drawings to gullible tourists!

[Lalah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful description of the sea, but with such a clear title I was definitely expecting more vampire. The ending is painfully rushed.

[Laurence · Rating 1 out of 5]

Artist can see how people will die through drawings. It's an undeveloped fragment not really a story here.

[Sue :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sweet short story. More Grim Repear then vampire.

[E. Middendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet short story. Momento Mori.

[ab · Rating 3 out of 5]

"..paints them beforehand--and he never makes a mistake--just like a vulture!"

short story, too short perhaps, beautifully painted by Jan, ...en fin, he, called the vampire, who is not one, in fact, but a painter, sketches the doomed beforehand and completes on the very same day they die, as if prophesying.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short horror story depicting an artist who can predict death. A group of tourists vacation on the island of Prinkipo. A strange artist in the group has a rare talent of painting people who die within a short time after their portraits are finished. A spooky short story perfect for Halloween!

[Markos741 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story with an unexpected ending. Very interesting, considering when it was written.

[Jharvie Dwayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice !!!

[Maulin Amin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strikingly short and captivating...

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting a horror story, but the impression I'm left with is just that this was a sweet little story.

[Raven · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very, very short story. It was entertaining, but I think it would've been better had it been a bit longer, maybe.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short story that is a quick read but nothing special.

[SM · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a striking short story for its brevity. How much he is able to accomplish in such a short span is incredible. Beautiful language. I think it's notable to consider that Neruda specialized in writing short stories, or feuilletons, like this because he enjoyed that they permitted more experimentation and freedom than novels would.