LITERANISTA Dialogue on Multicultural Books, Tech & Life

Literanista April 5, 2010

If you like vampires you might be interested in reading Vampire Forensics: Uncovering the Origins of an Enduring Legend by Mark Collins Jenkins

Mark Jenkins’s engrossing history draws on the latest science, anthropological and archaeological research to explore the origins of vampire stories, providing gripping historic and folkloric context for the concept of immortal beings who defy death by feeding on the lifeblood of others.

From the earliest whispers of eternal evil in ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome, vampire tales flourished through the centuries and around the globe, fueled by superstition, sexual mystery, fear of disease and death, and the nagging anxiety that demons lurk everywhere.

In Vampire Forensics, Mark Jenkins probes vampire legend to tease out the historical truths enshrined in the tales of terror: shards of Persian pottery depicting blood-sucking demons; the amazing recent discovery by National Geographic archaeologist Matteo Borrini of a 16th-century Venetian grave of a plague victim and suspected vampire; and the Transylvanian castle of “Vlad the Impaler,” whose bloodthirsty cruelty remains unsurpassed.

Jenkins navigates centuries of lore and legend, adding new chapters to the chronicle and weaving an irresistibly seductive blend of superstition, psychology, and science sure to engross everyone from Anne Rice’s countless readers to serious students of archaeology and mythology.

Also of note:

 Stephenie Meyer, author of the vampire novels, announced last week that she will make her next novel, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, available online for free after its release. Fans can read the book, based on a character in Eclipse, on BreeTanner.com starting at noon on June 7 until July 5.

The Fall by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan, part two of The Strain Trilogy comes out in September.