I'd like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. Here is my honest review.

I enjoyed some parts of this book, but as a whole it felt like a summary of anything in pop culture that featured a vampire in it. I wanted more about the historical aspects, how it has impacted people over time, and less of an omnibus of pop culture featuring vampires. The addition of the interviews in the end didn't interest me at all and took away from the flow of the book.

I really wanted to like this book, but the pacing was much too all over the place for me. I found it to sort of meander around topics and references in a way that I don't find satisfying, returning to to the same films or books seemingly at random without a sense of overarching structure. There are often long stretches of just summarizing what happens in a piece of media without any real analysis, which bothered me as well. Fenn is clearly a great writer with a lovely sense of humour, I just maybe wish a little more structure had been applied in the editing. I could see this book being a great fit for someone who isn't put off by the above, but it wasn't for me unfortunately.

As someone who took several classes in mythology and monsters during my time in university, I found "A History of Vampires in Popular Culture" to be an easy, breezy read that does a great job giving a general overview of of the vampire and its singular and timeless hold over popular culture. Fenn is obviously very knowledgeable about the subject, and her enthusiasm for the subject gives the reader a certain pull to it as well, regardless of if they had any interest in the subject before (though, I'm sure anyone who picks up this book will do so because they have at least a passing interest in vampiric lore).

This book is a great starting point for those new to the genre, and gives a lot of great references to continue the journey, if one wishes. However, for those who are already up to date on all things vampire, this does not necessarily give any new takes on the impact of the vampire.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - This book was totally out of character for me. I don’t read too many books like this and was granted a wish through Netgalley. I was excited to get started with this because I became a huge vampire fan when Twilight came out and have continued with the vampire genre in books. This book takes you through the history of vampires in Pop Culture. What was my favorite part about the book? All of the new things that I did learn about vampire genre. What did I take away from it? A lot. A lot more than I expected. Hopefully new soon to be favorite movies, new places to visit and most importantly a favorite new author. Thanks @violetfenn and @penandsword_co @netgalley #netgalley #vampire #popculture #history #wishgranted #AHistoryoftheVampireinPopularCulture #bleedinglove

I found some very interesting types of vampires here. Did you know there is one kind who sucks blood through her hair? No, the author of A History of the Vampire in Popular Culture couldn't explain how that works, either.

I wish the beginning of the book was more serious. The opening seemed too light-hearted and I thought the book would be frivolous. Soon, Ms. Fenn got down to serious business, but if I'd been a casual browser in a store I would have read the first couple of pages and thought to myself that it wasn't serious research.

Some of it did wander into territory that wasn't vampire-ish. There's a couple of murders that didn't seem to have anything to do with vampires. But, some of it was delightfully bizarre, such as the hordes of British children in the 1950s patrolling a cemetery at night, looking to kill a vampire. Parents blamed American comic books and tried to have them banned. Why hundreds of little children brandishing stakes and mallets hasn't been turned into a movie, I don't know.

Yes, there is some really good stuff and some blah information, too. I'd probably buy it as a reference book since I write horror and I'm always looking for some new creature--like blood sucking hair.

A History of the Vampire in Popular Culture that explains the basis for the vampire legend through books, movies, television, and interviews with certain influencers in the vampire community. It is never stronger than when Violet Fenn provides analysis of recent vampire/Dracula pop culture media. She provides summaries, as well as, examines their impact on modern views of vampires.

The weakest part of the book is when Fenn provides the history of the modern views of vampires. Anyone who is interested in vampires will already be aware of much of the history she provides. Where Fenn shines is when she brings modern day media into the discussion. Recent movies and television shows make up most of it. Another fun part of the book is the interviews that she conducts. She interviews scholars, an actor, as well as, a descendant of Stoker, who is an author himself.

I wasn't expecting to have my wish granted when I, well, wished for this book, but here we are.

The book started out okay for the first 50 or so pages, but then I started to realise that the author was just giving her opinions on all things vampire compared to the history of them. Dracula is good, Twilight is bad, and then the book switches courses and goes into a bunch of interviews, which I was not expecting.

I love vampires and am always tempted by any book featuring them, whether fiction or non-fiction, so naturally I was quick to request a copy of A History of the Vampire in Popular Culture when I saw it on NetGalley. First, the pros. This book was only written recently, so it includes many up-to-date references, such as the recent BBC production of Dracula, which are not included in similar but older works. Also, Fenn's enthusiasm for the topic definitely shows through in her writing, which is lovely. Finally, I appreciated her comments early in the book regarding that fact that a lot comes down to personal opinion, and some of her favourite representations might not be the same as her readers' choices. Unfortunately, overall this book did not thrill me. Despite the new references, there was really nothing here that hasn't already been discussed in other works of the same ilk, so I struggled to see what value it brought/what the need for it was. I also spotted several factual errors when Fenn was discussing plot points in a couple of the books she referenced, and those irked me. Those errors aside, there is nothing 'wrong' with this work, and those coming to it with no prior experience of such texts will doubtless find something to enjoy in it. But if, like me, you've read several similar books in the past, there is not a great deal in this one to set it above the others as it covers all the usual points with nothing majorly new to say. For me it's a 2.5-star read, but I will round up to a 3 rather than down to a 2 because, as I said, it's not a bad work in and of itself if you are new to the topic.

Violet Fenn definitely has a deep and enthusiastic interest in vampires. This book isn’t an encyclopedia or a completely exhaustive guide to the vampire but hand picks examples to take readers along on a historical journey of the vampire trope throughout the centuries, portraying them as seductive lovers and monsters.

For myself, this was a bit on the dry side and slightly too historical. But, if you’re a huge fan of vampires...this will be right up your alley!

Sure to be go-to, essential reference material for those seeking a broad view of vampires in pop culture. Reads easily and offers a wide-variety of Nosferatu-themed lore with supporting discourse

A quick review of the idea of the Vampire that begins with a basic examination of myth that may have contributed to the Vampire mystique (which can be found in almost any vampire reference), followed by a survey pop culture portrayals in literature, cinema, music and goth culture. Although presented as a summary, for somebody with only a passing interest in the concept, it was almost too long; but Violet's enthusiasm for the topic comes through and it was ultimately a very interesting read, just not late at night.

I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#AHistoryoftheVampireinPopularCulture #NetGalley

I don't envy any author the task of writing a history of the Vampire in Popular Culture because it is such a broad subject, and what people think of the broad works contained within it is so subjective.

That said, I feel like Violet Fenn does a great job. Her obvious enthusiasm for the topic leaps off the page - and it is an infectious enthusiasm. It seems like a very personal book - certainly a labour of love - the author states that she's cherry picked the examples of vampires in popular culture to illustrate what she's talking about. This means that I've found lots of new films and books to watch surrounding Vampires - but also some omissions (there's a chapter called The Vampire Next Door but no mention of one of my favourites - Fright Night 😢🧛).

To be fair, the author states early on that the book is intended as an overview rather than a chronology or encyclopaedia - and the book is indeed very accessible and light enough to enjoy. It's definitely a great place to start for people new to the genre and the filmography and bibliography at the end of the book make for a great resource.

And one more plus, I don't live too far from Anfield Crem - as soon as lockdowns allow - I'm off to explore!

Book Review for A History of the Vampire in Popular Culture by Violet Fenn
Full review for this title can be found at: @fyebooks on Instagram!

This was a very interesting book. I liked how it jumped around in vampire pop culture. It was short enough to keep me entertained while still being fun.

Just gonna preface this to say that I LOVE vampires. Like there isn't a vampire thing I don't love. You name it, I love it.

I didn't love this.

Maybe I just know too much about vampires already, but this didn't give me any new exciting things to learn and really it seemed more like a text book than a "popular culture" book..

It just wasn't my thing.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.