What do you think?
Rate this book
The Vampire of Kaldenstein
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Frederick Cowles
41 books8 followersDate of Birth: 1900
Date of Death: 1949
A bibliophile and antiquarian whose ghost stories were first resurrected by Hugh Lamb in his anthologies, then by the Ghost Story Press, and more recently by Ash-Tree Press.
Date of Death: 1949
A bibliophile and antiquarian whose ghost stories were first resurrected by Hugh Lamb in his anthologies, then by the Ghost Story Press, and more recently by Ash-Tree Press.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 22, 2013
BOOK : The Vampire Of Kaldenstein
Author : Frederick Cowles
Being an ardent reader of books in the horror genre, I was very pleased on coming across this incredible short story written by Cowles. The author according to me has surpassed himself in this absolutely grotesque story of the unearthly Count Of Kaldenstein who as the title amply suggests is a vampire who continues living by feasting on the blood of innocent victims. Many of my fellow readers on reading this enchanting story would presume it to be a sort of a similar recounting of the classic novel 'Dracula' penned by Bram Stoker specially the first part of the narrative where Johnathan Harker visits Count Dracula's castle inspite of the many warnings he had encountered by the locals. To such readers I would like to clarify that this masterpiece has no connection whatsoever to the Gothic story of 'Dracula'. The story of Cowles is an ingenious work of art which creates a very horrific atmosphere that any reader of the fantastic would be thrilled by. His storyline is different as well as the way he presents his protagonist. One cannot deny Cowles the credit of being a very extraordinary writer of terror.
The story is divided into four parts very systematically & very professionally by the author. The protagonist who is on a walking tour across Germany in the year 1933 as the story goes, loses his way somewhat & manages to find himself in a very rural & primitive looking village called Kaldenstein.The people there are simple but friendly & the innkeeper there offers him food & boarding. The descriptions used by the author are not tiresome but infact enhance the whole effect of the story upon the reader’s mind. Many times in the story, the descriptions are the tools with which the author is able to create a scene of horror which mystifies us & also scandalises us. This is seen very well when the protagonist observes castle Kaldenstein blocking the full moon across a starless sky indicating an image of foreboding. The author also masterfully portrays how in a simple village setting….there lays an evil most powerful & ancient. In the story this is clearly shown when the villagers in the inn refuse to speak about the undead Count OF Kaldenstein & also when the innkeeper himself bolts his door shut before he informs the author about the number of years the count had been residing alone in the castle (300 years). The descriptions enliven the narrative & creates in the reader a fear which only a great story-teller can do.
The characters are portrayed very well in the narrative, even though it is a short story. The characters are brought alive with the use of a minimal amount of introductory statements which are sufficient to inform us about the character’s traits & to go on with the story. Be it the head strong protagonist, the devilish Count Of Kaldenstein, the mysterious & half blind servant of castle Kaldenstein or even the thin Christian priest who ultimately saves the protagonist from a very gruesome death……all the characters are wholesome & very well described.
Scepticism is portrayed very well in the protagonist. His scepticism however turns to defiance when he challenges the warnings of the locals as well as of the priest & visits the castle of Kaldenstein twice, once in the morning where he returns safely & the second time at night to meet the Count …..where he does not emerge until he is saved by the priest & the innkeeper. Scepticism is degraded in the narrative whereas a belief in the unknown is questioned leaving the reader at the end of the story in a questioning frame of mind.
The character of the Count Of Kaldenstein himself is definitely different to that of Bram Stoker’s ‘Count Dracula’. Unlike ‘Count Dracula’ the Count of Kaldenstein is uncivil & is not in control of his basic instincts. This is portrayed very well when the Count licks up the pool of blood dripping out from the protagonist’s cut hand. He also delves in Black magic which has made him immune to death altogether according to the Kaldenstein priest. Otherwise, The Count Of Kaldenstein possess similar characteristics of regular vampires. He is quite unusually pale with sharp pointed teeth & also is extremely strong. His strength is observed when he lifts the protagonist off his bed from the waist as if the protagonist was just a mere child.
The most gruesome part of the short story however, is when the helpless protagonist is placed upon the dining table ready to be feasted upon by three vampires, two who were technically supposed to be dead while one was technically immune to death. The idea of each of them feasting upon the blood of the victim first from throat then the breast & then the neck is revolting yet, the author has managed to make the story very much the stuff of high-brow classic literature which prompts the reader of the fantastic to go on towards the climax. The protagonist however is saved by the priest & the innkeeper who forces the Count Of Kaldenstein to open his castle door with the aid of the Catholic Blessed Sacrament.
The story ends with a mystery & a feeling of wonder at the reality of it all. On another note, the atmosphere created by the author is tantalizing & yet, highly peaceful just like the remote village where the story takes place.
All in all, a must read for all horror genre readers especially those who prefer their vampires devilishly evil.
Author : Frederick Cowles
Being an ardent reader of books in the horror genre, I was very pleased on coming across this incredible short story written by Cowles. The author according to me has surpassed himself in this absolutely grotesque story of the unearthly Count Of Kaldenstein who as the title amply suggests is a vampire who continues living by feasting on the blood of innocent victims. Many of my fellow readers on reading this enchanting story would presume it to be a sort of a similar recounting of the classic novel 'Dracula' penned by Bram Stoker specially the first part of the narrative where Johnathan Harker visits Count Dracula's castle inspite of the many warnings he had encountered by the locals. To such readers I would like to clarify that this masterpiece has no connection whatsoever to the Gothic story of 'Dracula'. The story of Cowles is an ingenious work of art which creates a very horrific atmosphere that any reader of the fantastic would be thrilled by. His storyline is different as well as the way he presents his protagonist. One cannot deny Cowles the credit of being a very extraordinary writer of terror.
The story is divided into four parts very systematically & very professionally by the author. The protagonist who is on a walking tour across Germany in the year 1933 as the story goes, loses his way somewhat & manages to find himself in a very rural & primitive looking village called Kaldenstein.The people there are simple but friendly & the innkeeper there offers him food & boarding. The descriptions used by the author are not tiresome but infact enhance the whole effect of the story upon the reader’s mind. Many times in the story, the descriptions are the tools with which the author is able to create a scene of horror which mystifies us & also scandalises us. This is seen very well when the protagonist observes castle Kaldenstein blocking the full moon across a starless sky indicating an image of foreboding. The author also masterfully portrays how in a simple village setting….there lays an evil most powerful & ancient. In the story this is clearly shown when the villagers in the inn refuse to speak about the undead Count OF Kaldenstein & also when the innkeeper himself bolts his door shut before he informs the author about the number of years the count had been residing alone in the castle (300 years). The descriptions enliven the narrative & creates in the reader a fear which only a great story-teller can do.
The characters are portrayed very well in the narrative, even though it is a short story. The characters are brought alive with the use of a minimal amount of introductory statements which are sufficient to inform us about the character’s traits & to go on with the story. Be it the head strong protagonist, the devilish Count Of Kaldenstein, the mysterious & half blind servant of castle Kaldenstein or even the thin Christian priest who ultimately saves the protagonist from a very gruesome death……all the characters are wholesome & very well described.
Scepticism is portrayed very well in the protagonist. His scepticism however turns to defiance when he challenges the warnings of the locals as well as of the priest & visits the castle of Kaldenstein twice, once in the morning where he returns safely & the second time at night to meet the Count …..where he does not emerge until he is saved by the priest & the innkeeper. Scepticism is degraded in the narrative whereas a belief in the unknown is questioned leaving the reader at the end of the story in a questioning frame of mind.
The character of the Count Of Kaldenstein himself is definitely different to that of Bram Stoker’s ‘Count Dracula’. Unlike ‘Count Dracula’ the Count of Kaldenstein is uncivil & is not in control of his basic instincts. This is portrayed very well when the Count licks up the pool of blood dripping out from the protagonist’s cut hand. He also delves in Black magic which has made him immune to death altogether according to the Kaldenstein priest. Otherwise, The Count Of Kaldenstein possess similar characteristics of regular vampires. He is quite unusually pale with sharp pointed teeth & also is extremely strong. His strength is observed when he lifts the protagonist off his bed from the waist as if the protagonist was just a mere child.
The most gruesome part of the short story however, is when the helpless protagonist is placed upon the dining table ready to be feasted upon by three vampires, two who were technically supposed to be dead while one was technically immune to death. The idea of each of them feasting upon the blood of the victim first from throat then the breast & then the neck is revolting yet, the author has managed to make the story very much the stuff of high-brow classic literature which prompts the reader of the fantastic to go on towards the climax. The protagonist however is saved by the priest & the innkeeper who forces the Count Of Kaldenstein to open his castle door with the aid of the Catholic Blessed Sacrament.
The story ends with a mystery & a feeling of wonder at the reality of it all. On another note, the atmosphere created by the author is tantalizing & yet, highly peaceful just like the remote village where the story takes place.
All in all, a must read for all horror genre readers especially those who prefer their vampires devilishly evil.
October 26, 2014
I didn't realize I had already read this years ago. Good but the movie made in the 60s or 70s was better :)
September 29, 2023
4.25⭐
The narrator is on a walking tour across Germany in the year 1933. While following his maps, he somehow takes a wrong turn and loses his way but eventually manages to find himself in a very rural and primitive village called Kaldenstein. The people there are rough looking but polite and the innkeeper there offers him food & lodging. When the narrator asks about the old castle on the cliff, the villagers in the inn refuse to speak about Count Kaldenstein who inhabits the castle. After the villagers leave the innkeeper informs the narrator the Count has inhabited the castle for three hundred years and is a vampire and one of the undead who feasts on human blood. Of course, the narrator is skeptical and refuses to listen to the villagers, the innkeeper and also that of the local priest who warn him to stay away from the castle. His skepticism however turns to defiance when he challenges these warnings and visits the castle of Kaldenstein twice. The first time was in the morning where he returns safely after being shown around the castle by an old half blind servant, to whom he tells he will again visit the castle at night in order to meet the Count. The servant warns him not to come but he is determined to seek the mystery of the castle and see this mysterious Count. The servant tells him "If you come, he will be ready to receive you," he said, "and remember that if you enter the castle again you do so of your own free will". When he returns the second time at night to meet the Count, he is unable to leave when the Count and two others imprison him.
The story turns very sinister from here on giving the reader a few shudders and chills. The most gruesome part of the short story is when the helpless narrator is placed upon the dining table ready to be feasted upon by three vampires, two who were technically supposed to be dead while the Count was technically immune to death.
The narrator is on a walking tour across Germany in the year 1933. While following his maps, he somehow takes a wrong turn and loses his way but eventually manages to find himself in a very rural and primitive village called Kaldenstein. The people there are rough looking but polite and the innkeeper there offers him food & lodging. When the narrator asks about the old castle on the cliff, the villagers in the inn refuse to speak about Count Kaldenstein who inhabits the castle. After the villagers leave the innkeeper informs the narrator the Count has inhabited the castle for three hundred years and is a vampire and one of the undead who feasts on human blood. Of course, the narrator is skeptical and refuses to listen to the villagers, the innkeeper and also that of the local priest who warn him to stay away from the castle. His skepticism however turns to defiance when he challenges these warnings and visits the castle of Kaldenstein twice. The first time was in the morning where he returns safely after being shown around the castle by an old half blind servant, to whom he tells he will again visit the castle at night in order to meet the Count. The servant warns him not to come but he is determined to seek the mystery of the castle and see this mysterious Count. The servant tells him "If you come, he will be ready to receive you," he said, "and remember that if you enter the castle again you do so of your own free will". When he returns the second time at night to meet the Count, he is unable to leave when the Count and two others imprison him.
The story turns very sinister from here on giving the reader a few shudders and chills. The most gruesome part of the short story is when the helpless narrator is placed upon the dining table ready to be feasted upon by three vampires, two who were technically supposed to be dead while the Count was technically immune to death.
June 16, 2021
An arrogant and clearly obtuse English tourist beards the vampire in his own damned castle after an entire village, a priest, and the vampire's day servant have told him to stay away.
This postdates the famous Hammer Horror movies, and reads rather like one. I never drink wine... sounds familiar, that line.
2 stars
This postdates the famous Hammer Horror movies, and reads rather like one. I never drink wine... sounds familiar, that line.
2 stars
November 29, 2023
Very similar to Dracula, but still very good!
January 30, 2025
Some notes from my lecture on this about the gothic elements:
- Aware of Gothic techniques
- Religious connotations
- Much like Dracula
- Almost imperial Englishman who thinks he knows better than the locals
- Folklores
- Unwitting Traveller who's presence triggers change
- Travelling 'primitive' areas - Catholic rather than protestant areas
- Superstition
- Castle on the hill looks almost like a fairytale
- Magical experience, but not a good one
- Feudal existence - dead aristocrats who would possibly have ruled previously. Do not belong in the modern world
- Arrogant bearing of the narrator who avoids all warning
- Us as readers a more knowing traveller being brought along the journey - we recognise the signs of vampires and want the narrator to turn away. Increasing representations of vampires within literature.
- The priest who should be banishing these beliefs of vampires, knows of their existence and does not deny it. Religious authority solidifies the dangers.
- Gothic as a mode; a way of doing something.
- Belief and lack of belief
- Fear of the supernatural is still present, there is a figure still in the battlements by the end of the text.
This looks like a cliche text because we have been exposed to stories like this before. However, thinking of context, this would have made a huge impact on the arising gothic tropes.
- is this a reference to the war and Hitler?????
Ever present force, guarding the battlements. English man has arrived in a part of Europe where there is a rising threat that sees the world as a different place. Written in late 1930's, so perhaps a reference to the context of the time. Think about the setting here as well!!!!
- Aware of Gothic techniques
- Religious connotations
- Much like Dracula
- Almost imperial Englishman who thinks he knows better than the locals
- Folklores
- Unwitting Traveller who's presence triggers change
- Travelling 'primitive' areas - Catholic rather than protestant areas
- Superstition
- Castle on the hill looks almost like a fairytale
- Magical experience, but not a good one
- Feudal existence - dead aristocrats who would possibly have ruled previously. Do not belong in the modern world
- Arrogant bearing of the narrator who avoids all warning
- Us as readers a more knowing traveller being brought along the journey - we recognise the signs of vampires and want the narrator to turn away. Increasing representations of vampires within literature.
- The priest who should be banishing these beliefs of vampires, knows of their existence and does not deny it. Religious authority solidifies the dangers.
- Gothic as a mode; a way of doing something.
- Belief and lack of belief
- Fear of the supernatural is still present, there is a figure still in the battlements by the end of the text.
This looks like a cliche text because we have been exposed to stories like this before. However, thinking of context, this would have made a huge impact on the arising gothic tropes.
- is this a reference to the war and Hitler?????
Ever present force, guarding the battlements. English man has arrived in a part of Europe where there is a rising threat that sees the world as a different place. Written in late 1930's, so perhaps a reference to the context of the time. Think about the setting here as well!!!!
May 20, 2022
Worthy addition to the vampire genre. Essentially a vastly truncated version of Dracula and clearly inspiration for the Hammer vampire movies, our hapless English traveller takes a wrong turn on his walking tour to a town below a mysterious and ominous castle. Will he be lured to the castle by its unholy Inhabitant?
The meeting with Count Kaldenstein and his long dead relatives is great.
As is often the case in these vampire stories, his rescue and the conclusion is not as satisfying.
The meeting with Count Kaldenstein and his long dead relatives is great.
As is often the case in these vampire stories, his rescue and the conclusion is not as satisfying.
September 30, 2021
While this is everything one could want in a vampire short story it is also a story of hubris, or not taking the warnings from others seriously. This is a classic vampire story. It is atmospheric with some nicely creepy moments.
A man on a walking tour in Germany happens upon a village and becomes fascinated by a forbidding castle. What could possibly go wrong?
Originally published in 1938. Available in The Vampire Archives.
A man on a walking tour in Germany happens upon a village and becomes fascinated by a forbidding castle. What could possibly go wrong?
Originally published in 1938. Available in The Vampire Archives.
August 3, 2013
This was completely pointless. There was nothing in here--plot, details, theme, descriptions, anything - that hadn't been seen in any previous vampire story. This was 41 YEARS after Stoker's book, 7 years after the Lugosi movie. I haven't read anything else by Cowles and this story does not make me inclined to do so.
July 17, 2010
I swear Bram Stoker wrote this short story. This was written in 1937 and is close to Dracula but set in Bavaria. Excellent stuff!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews