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The Reluctant Vampire #1
The Reluctant Vampire
A shocking announcement from the Vampire Prince - that he doesn't like blood but prefers chips and a glass of red wine - begins a tale of ghoulish intrigue and hilarious horror. With illustrations by Tony Ross, this re-issue is sure to delight.A tale about an extremely unconventional vampire. This tale of laughter and ghoulish horror for seven and eight year-olds is sure to delight. Here, Eric Morecambe’s customary humour is employed for a young audience.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 19, 2023
The story starts at Bloodstock Castle, overlooking the small village of Katchem-by-the-Throat in the tiny mid-European country of Gotcha. The butler's name is Igon - he has only one eye. Vampire Prince Valentine doesn't like blood. He likes chips and wine. One day he decides to explore the village during the day with unexpected results. This is a cute, somewhat silly, but funny story about an unusual vampire family and a genteel rebellion that children would probably enjoy. Included are amusing and adorable b/w line drawings.
February 12, 2015
Cute story! I love the puns. I do wish the illustrations had been larger - they are a good addition to this book.
January 12, 2025
- Un viaje al regreso de la infancia, donde creía imaginaba ser yo perdido en la familia royal de los vampiros :) Que pasad de lectura...
May 11, 2017
Here's a funny story: when I was about 10 years old, my mother bought me the second part of this series used. I don't even remember why, only that I liked it a lot and kept wondering why all the vampires were "good". It took me 14 years to find, get, and read this.
CONTENT
Since I bought the matching German edition I'm sure the names were somewhat altered. So there's this town, ruled by Vampires, and their youngest son, Valentin does not like blood at all. He sets out on an adventure, when he finds out, that he can actually stay in the sun safely. Then there's Vernon, his evil brother, who wants to become king.
SOMETHING OVERALL
The book is quite old, but none the less funny to read. Since it's about vampires it does not feel outdated, and horse-drawn carts and castles fit as well as 40 (?) years ago.
It bothered me somehow, that the Vampires were not 'evil enough'. They were great as characters, they just did not fit my imagination of this species.
STYLE OF WRITING
Sometimes a bit chunky in the translation, but I was pleasantly surprised, the translation worked so well. There were a lot of word-plays and while I can't be sure everyone made it to the German version, the ones that did worked well and got me smiling sometimes (not my type of humour mostly, but well done nonetheless).
CHARACTERS
In my opinion the Vampires were very human. Apart from Vernon, who's straight out evil, they were all very likeable. The only thing that set them apart from humans was their powers. Maybe you could say, their characters were a little bit...over the top. While it surely is a nice book for younger readers, there were parts where most of the characters (like the king, or Willy the werewolf) behaved like children rather than adults
I very much liked King Victor, though.
OPINION
It's a nice book, and it got me smiling. It's something I'd let my (non-existent) kids read, and if you keep in mind that it is in fact a childrens book, it's well written and funny. The author plays a lot with words and meanings, and it is one of very few books of that time and genre where the translation of those really works.
CONTENT
Since I bought the matching German edition I'm sure the names were somewhat altered. So there's this town, ruled by Vampires, and their youngest son, Valentin does not like blood at all. He sets out on an adventure, when he finds out, that he can actually stay in the sun safely. Then there's Vernon, his evil brother, who wants to become king.
SOMETHING OVERALL
The book is quite old, but none the less funny to read. Since it's about vampires it does not feel outdated, and horse-drawn carts and castles fit as well as 40 (?) years ago.
It bothered me somehow, that the Vampires were not 'evil enough'. They were great as characters, they just did not fit my imagination of this species.
STYLE OF WRITING
Sometimes a bit chunky in the translation, but I was pleasantly surprised, the translation worked so well. There were a lot of word-plays and while I can't be sure everyone made it to the German version, the ones that did worked well and got me smiling sometimes (not my type of humour mostly, but well done nonetheless).
CHARACTERS
In my opinion the Vampires were very human. Apart from Vernon, who's straight out evil, they were all very likeable. The only thing that set them apart from humans was their powers. Maybe you could say, their characters were a little bit...over the top. While it surely is a nice book for younger readers, there were parts where most of the characters (like the king, or Willy the werewolf) behaved like children rather than adults
I very much liked King Victor, though.
OPINION
It's a nice book, and it got me smiling. It's something I'd let my (non-existent) kids read, and if you keep in mind that it is in fact a childrens book, it's well written and funny. The author plays a lot with words and meanings, and it is one of very few books of that time and genre where the translation of those really works.
November 12, 2014
I loved this book from the very beginning and my delight with it only grew as the page numbers progressed. This is a book for those who love silly, slapstick humour and characters that warm your heart.
One of the things I enjoyed about this story was that the vampires were so typical of the old movie style monsters that have made the image what it is. No one sparkled. Nice change.
This was such a fun experience and now that I know there are more books in the series I am greatly looking forward to reading them and seeing what else this author has in store for his readers.
I also loved Igon. There are some wonderful characters in this story that you will remember after you have finished it. I'm not usually one for humour books, but this one is definitely an exception. Funny, creative and adorable, this book is one I surely recommend.
Loved it.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
One of the things I enjoyed about this story was that the vampires were so typical of the old movie style monsters that have made the image what it is. No one sparkled. Nice change.
This was such a fun experience and now that I know there are more books in the series I am greatly looking forward to reading them and seeing what else this author has in store for his readers.
I also loved Igon. There are some wonderful characters in this story that you will remember after you have finished it. I'm not usually one for humour books, but this one is definitely an exception. Funny, creative and adorable, this book is one I surely recommend.
Loved it.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
November 30, 2023
This book was cute but I think maybe it could have had a bit more... something.
It was definitely missing something, but I can't see what exactly it needed.
However, the illustrations were great and definitely added to the story.
5/10. Not bad, but not great.
It was definitely missing something, but I can't see what exactly it needed.
However, the illustrations were great and definitely added to the story.
5/10. Not bad, but not great.
September 1, 2025
Good characters, silly puns but didn’t really think book flowed and the vampires I vant to bite you accent got a bit dull towards the end
August 5, 2018
Re-read this with my son (6) after enjoying it on loan from Southport library over thirty years ago. It's pretty laboured but you can ham it up quite enjoyably - unlike Morecambe's heir, David Walliams.
August 8, 2025
OMG! what is there not to like!? A delightful story by ERIC MORECAMBE!
I remember my nan giving me this one year when I was a child and a loved it then as I love it now.
I remember my nan giving me this one year when I was a child and a loved it then as I love it now.
April 7, 2015
I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for review.
This is a fun, quick novella about a family of vampires that rule over the town of Gotcha. Their son, Valentine, was raised as a vampire, but doesn't feel that he fits in with is blood-sucking family, and wants to escape to live a normal life. This story chronicles his journey, and the consequences of his actions with his family, namely his father King Victor, and the subsequent ramifications in the town.
While it was written with a younger age group in mind, possibly middle-grade, I would certainly recommend it to people of all ages that enjoy humorous vampire tales. It's definitely going on the list of books I'm getting for my nephew!
This is a fun, quick novella about a family of vampires that rule over the town of Gotcha. Their son, Valentine, was raised as a vampire, but doesn't feel that he fits in with is blood-sucking family, and wants to escape to live a normal life. This story chronicles his journey, and the consequences of his actions with his family, namely his father King Victor, and the subsequent ramifications in the town.
While it was written with a younger age group in mind, possibly middle-grade, I would certainly recommend it to people of all ages that enjoy humorous vampire tales. It's definitely going on the list of books I'm getting for my nephew!
October 22, 2014
This is a really funny story that will certainly appeal to children who are independent readers. It is written in chapters, each with a rhyming couplet as the chapter's title. The story concerns our the vampires King Victor and Queen Valeeta and the royal princes - their son Prince Vernon and their adopted son, Prince Valentine. From the very first chapter the scenes and characters are portrayed with great descriptions and plenty of humour. It is also likely to appeal to any adults who enjoyed the work of this comedy legend turned author. This is a great book that I have no hesitation in recommending.
November 22, 2014
I quite enjoyed this - I'm not sure it was quite funny enough to be a properly comic novel or had enough plot, but it was perfectly enjoyable whilst it lasted. Perhaps it works better read aloud. It felt very male - so perhaps it would work better for younger boys - rather than an adult woman with a fondness for children's books!
November 28, 2014
A great premise that should have led to a cute & fun story, but the writing is just too scattered. The humor is inconsistent & never quite humorous enough. It was a chore to read & confusing to try to follow.
November 26, 2014
From the first page to the last you are pulled in. You will find yourself laughing out loud at some of the humor in this book. Younger audience will love this as well as an older one.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.
June 19, 2011
The humour in this book started out very strong and became so overwhelming that I couldn't finish even the first chapter.
Very disappointing.
Very disappointing.
February 9, 2016
A wonderfully silly story told with Eric Morecambe's irresistible sense of fun. Loved it!
August 7, 2010
One of those books I wish I had kept, because I remember enjoying the tale but not much more.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews