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Vampire Vow
by Michael Schiefelbein
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$14.95 |
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$10.17 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. |
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$4.78 (31%) |
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Paperback
Publisher: Alyson Books
Michael Schiefelbein, after spending ten years studying for the priesthood, graduated from the University of Maryland with a doctorate in English. He is a professor of writing and literature in Memphis, TN. An interview with Michael Schiefelbein author of Vampire Vow "I wanted Jesus. That's how it started. Yes, the Jesus they built a religion on, the one they say rose from the dead." With this opening sentence, it becomes immediately clear that this is not a typical novel, and by the time you have raced through the remaining 213 blood-soaked, terrifying pages, it is clear that Vampire Vow is not a typical vampire novel either. Victor Decimus is perhaps the most horrifyingly amoral creature of the night ever created, and yet in Michael Schiefelbein's skilled hands he is almost as attractive as he is repellent. Combining sex, religion, and blood lust is a tricky business and not for the faint of heart, but as we discovered from our conversation with Vampire Vow author Michael Schiefelbein, he knows whereof he speaks: Alyson: Your novel violates quite a few taboos-the sex-religion combination, the subject of Jesus' sexuality, vampires and Jesus-I mean, you have a man falling in love with Jesus and becoming a vampire to spite him. Are you nervous about reactions? Michael Schiefelbein: Like crosses burning on my lawn? The thought has crossed my mind, especially here in the Bible Belt. But I strongly believe in a real, human Jesus who might have been gay. Who knows? And to me, the ultimate tribute you can pay someone is to desire him, body and soul. In terms of sex in the novel, it's appropriate. Victor, the protagonist, is a ruthless, passionate Roman guard who uses sex to assert his power. He's not admirable for that, but his fury with depictions of Jesus as otherworldly and asexual is justified. Victor certainly exploits the Church by posing as a monk and pretending to play according to the monastery's rules. But he also brings some flesh and blood-no pun intended-into spirituality. Alyson: So the idea of Jesus as a lover isn't blasphemous to you? MS: Some of the great Christian mystics saw him that way-St. John of the C
| Customer Reviews: |
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| ok |
| Customer Rating: 2 out of 5 |
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The book was fine, but really could have played on the entire 'Jesus' thing. The author wimped out on Jesus as a human.
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| Quick read, flat characters |
| Customer Rating: 3 out of 5 |
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This thin novel is the first in a series about Victor, a man who became a vampire shortly after Jesus' resurrection and who has now, 2000 years later, found someone who might take Jesus's place in his fevered brain.
The main character is unlikable. He's learned nothing in 2000 years--nor has he by the end of this book. Also, some of Schiefelbein's vampire myth makes no sense. But it's a fairly quick read, and if you're in the mood for blood and violence and non-consensual gay sex, this might...more This thin novel is the first in a series about Victor, a man who became a vampire shortly after Jesus' resurrection and who has now, 2000 years later, found someone who might take Jesus's place in his fevered brain.
The main character is unlikable and one-dimensional. He's learned nothing in the 2000 years before he arrives in the Appalachians, and by the time he leaves, he still hasn't learned a thing. Zero growth. The supporting cast also has no depth. The final conflict is...well, it could have been more satisfying, even given Victor's stunted psyche. Also, some of Schiefelbein's vampire myth makes no sense.
However, it's a fairly quick read, and if you're in the mood for blood, violence, fangs, and both consensual and non-consensual gay sex, this might hit the spot for you.
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| so disturbing that it's fun! |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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First of all, I have read my shares of vampire books and I have never seen any author so fearlessly portraits the protagonist with so little humanity. And I have to say I enjoy this different take on vampirism very much (a great shocking surprise to me as well). This whole book is basically Victor's personal rage and revenge for the rejection he suffered thousands years ago. His only goal of existence is to satisfy his lust, desire, and rage at any mean regardless the cost to him or to the others, and he achieves this by posting as a monk from seminary to seminary corrupting/killing young would-be priests. To him, this is the ultimate revenge to Jesus who chose God over him. The story really is nothing but Victor's killing rampage. It is said in the back cover that the author had spent decade studying priesthood and the whole time I was reading this book, I kept thinking he must have a field day with the Catholic churches and Jesus writing this book. I had so much fun just thinking how much fun he must have had. In the end, the story really is not that memorable but I still like the book purely for the author's daring imagination and creativity.
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| Enticing & Intiguing |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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This was a well written book into the life of a gay vampire. You follow the life of Viktor, a former Roman Officer who tries to find that special someone to share his life with and allow him to move on to a greater world. This book has love, rage, vengence. You cheer at Viktor while at the same time are horrified by some of the atrocities that he commits as his declares war with the Christian church.
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| Blaspemous, Circumlocutory and Just Plain Boring |
| Customer Rating: 1 out of 5 |
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As a reasonably devout gay Catholic (and a Ph.D. in English and American Literature), I found this novel an appalling combination of blasphemy, bad taste (not everyone is Christian, I realize) and oh-so-confused writing. The author doesn't seem to know where he's going -- or if he does -- he keeps it a big secret from the average reader. Without seeming immodest, I'm far from the average reader. I'm a university English professor and a published writer myself -- and I found this book confusing and it's story line uneven. It also is replete with unncessary details. My partner is a Calvin Klein model. If I want a description of the sexual activity of attractive gay men, I only have to think back a night or two. Adults are familiar with the mechanics of gay sex -- and this author makes gay sex seem solely lust-driven. He obviously has unresolved issues with the Chruch that he's taking out on his poor readers. I made the mistake of buying one of his books. That won't happen again. Incidentally, Alyson publications isn't exactly known for publishing great works of literature.
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