Subject
Vampires -- Fiction Books
Best books
Bram Stoker
Dracula
"Dracula" by Bram Stoker is a Gothic horror novel published in 1897. Told through letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles, the story follows solicitor Jonathan Harker's terrifying encounter with Count Dracula in Transylvania. When the vampire Count travels to England and begins preying on victims in Whitby, a small group led by Professor Abraham Van Helsing must hunt him down. This seminal work of Gothic fiction has become the centrepiece of vampire literature, profoundly shaping the popular conception of vampires for generations.
Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Carmilla
"Carmilla" by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu is a Gothic novella published in 1872. A foundational work of vampire literature that predated "Dracula" by 25 years, it tells the story of young Laura, who lives in an isolated Austrian castle. When the enigmatic Carmilla arrives after a carriage accident, the two girls form an intense friendship marked by romantic advances and unsettling mysteries. As young women in nearby towns begin dying from an unknown illness, Laura experiences disturbing nightmares and her health mysteriously declines.
John William Polidori
The Vampyre; a Tale
"The Vampyre; a Tale" by John William Polidori is a short work of prose fiction written in 1819. Born from the same legendary ghost story contest that produced Frankenstein, this tale follows young Aubrey as he travels Europe with the mysterious Lord Ruthven, a charming nobleman who delights in others' ruin. When Aubrey discovers the horrifying truth about his companion, a binding oath prevents him from warning those he loves most. Polidori transformed the vampire from folklore creature into the aristocratic predator recognized today.
Bram Stoker
Dracula
"Dracula" by Bram Stoker is a Gothic horror novel published in 1897. Told through letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles, the story follows solicitor Jonathan Harker's terrifying encounter with Count Dracula in Transylvania. When the vampire Count flees to England and begins stalking victims in Whitby, a small group led by Professor Abraham Van Helsing must hunt him down. Drawing from folklore and history, Stoker created what became the seminal work of vampire fiction and the most portrayed literary character in history.
Robert E. (Robert Ervin) Howard
The Moon of Skulls
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Robert E. (Robert Ervin) Howard
The hills of the dead
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Thomas Peckett Prest
Varney the Vampire; Or, the Feast of Blood
"Varney the Vampire; Or, the Feast of Blood" by Prest and Rymer is a serialized gothic horror story published between 1845-1847. This sprawling penny dreadful follows the vampire Sir Francis Varney as he terrorizes the impoverished Bannerworth family. The tale introduced many vampire tropes now familiar to modern audiences: fangs, puncture wounds, superhuman strength, and hypnotic powers. Varney emerges as literature's first sympathetic vampire—a tortured figure who loathes his cursed condition yet cannot escape it. Through its epic 232 chapters, the story blends horror with tragedy as Varney seeks redemption.
Florence Marryat
The blood of the vampire
"The Blood of the Vampire" by Florence Marryat is a Gothic novel published in 1897. The story follows Harriet Brandt, a mixed-race woman who leaves a Jamaican convent to start a new life in Victorian Europe. Unbeknownst to her, Harriet is a psychic vampire who drains the life from those around her. As she attempts to integrate into society and falls in love, those closest to her begin to sicken and die, leading to devastating revelations about her family's dark past.
Théophile Gautier
Clarimonde
"Clarimonde" by Théophile Gautier is a short story published in 1836. A young priest named Romuald encounters a beautiful woman on his ordination day, igniting a forbidden passion that conflicts with his religious vows. When he later discovers she is a vampire, he faces an impossible choice between his sacred duties and his deepest desires. This Gothic tale explores the boundaries between life and death, dream and reality, as Romuald lives a double existence torn between two irreconcilable worlds.
Bram Stoker
Drakula: angol regény
"Drakula: angol regény" by Bram Stoker is a Gothic horror novel published in 1897. Told through letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles, it follows solicitor Jonathan Harker's terrifying encounter with Count Dracula in Transylvania. When the vampire Count flees to England and begins stalking victims in Whitby, a small group led by Professor Abraham Van Helsing must hunt him down. This seminal work of vampire fiction explores themes of Victorian society while creating one of literature's most iconic monsters.
Theodor Hildebrand
Der Vampyr, oder: Die Todtenbraut. Zweiter Theil. Ein Roman nach neugriechischen Volkssagen
"Der Vampyr, oder: Die Todtenbraut. Zweiter Teil" by Theodor Hildebrand is a novel written in the early 19th century. The story unfolds with a tragic event in a castle, where a series of violent occurrences lead to the shocking deaths of characters, including a mother’s anguished loss of her young son, Wilhelm. Central to this narrative are Werner, a brave officer, and Lodoiska, a mysterious young woman entangled in fate, romance, and the supernatural. At the start of the novel, the echo of gunfire fills the castle, causing panic among its inhabitants. As characters rush to investigate, the Oberstin awakens to the horror of finding her son's lifeless body alongside Werner and Lodoiska. Amidst the turmoil, the arrival of the local doctor and Colonel Lobenthal reveals deep grief and unanswered questions surrounding the violent happenings, with a storm raging outside that mirrors the chaos within. Lodoiska's fate becomes intricately linked with the castle, suggesting themes of love, loss, and the supernatural as the narrative progresses, leaving readers eager to uncover the unfolding tragedy and the dark secrets lurking within.
George Sylvester Viereck
The House of the Vampire
"The House of the Vampire" by George Sylvester Viereck is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds in a vibrant New York City and centers around Reginald Clarke, a charismatic and enigmatic writer whose influence extends beyond mere words. As he captivates those around him with his charm and artistry, he inadvertently casts a shadow on the lives of aspiring artists like Ernest Fielding, raising themes of creative genius, obsession, and the fine line between inspiration and parasitism. At the start of the novel, the reader is introduced to Reginald Clarke, whose presence at a crowded restaurant draws both admiration and distress from those who recognize him. Clarke's past connection with Ethel Brandenbourg, a painter whose work has suffered since their separation, highlights the impact he has on others. In a gripping conversation, Clarke reminisces about his psychological power and its effects, while Ernest Fielding, who idolizes Clarke and strives for artistic success, navigates his own feelings of admiration mixed with anxiety. Ernest's experiences foreshadow a deepening intrigue as he becomes ensnared in the vortex of Clarke's genius, which threatens to absorb his own creative spirit.
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