Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
99th out of 805 books
—
2,382 voters
The Traveling Vampire Show
Though gloomy with clouds, it is a hot, August morning in the summer of 1963. All over the rural town of Grandville, tacked to power poles and trees, taped to store windows, blowing along the sidewalks, fliers have appeared announcing the mysterious one-night-only performance of The Traveling Vampire Show.
The show will feature Valeria, the only known vampire in captivity.
Mass Market Paperback, 400 pages
Published
March 28th 2001
by Leisure Books
(first published 2000)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
3,000)
This. Book. Sucked.
Okay, first the plus side: Slim is awesome.
And that's about it for the plus side.
On the minus side: We have to see the awesome character Slim through the eyes of this annoying teenage boy who spends nearly ever scene she's in describing her butt.
Also on the minus side: Pretty much all the other characters were downright annoying. I was very disappointed they didn't ALL (except Slim) die horrible deaths at the end.
Once again on the minus side: This book was painfully BORING an...more
Okay, first the plus side: Slim is awesome.
And that's about it for the plus side.
On the minus side: We have to see the awesome character Slim through the eyes of this annoying teenage boy who spends nearly ever scene she's in describing her butt.
Also on the minus side: Pretty much all the other characters were downright annoying. I was very disappointed they didn't ALL (except Slim) die horrible deaths at the end.
Once again on the minus side: This book was painfully BORING an...more
Nov 07, 2012
Michael Fierce
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fans of Stephen King, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Dark Carnival horror
Recommended to Michael by:
the ghost of Ray Bradbury
So you know, I've been a Richard Laymon fan for 28 + yrs now, having gotten into him while searching for books recommended by Stephen King while visiting the best bookstore on the Earth, The Dark Carnival, in Berkeley, CA.
The handful of books I have of Richard Laymon's I've read several times and thought they were remarkably great books (with the exception of "The Stake" which I have tried to read a few times and it just never grabbed me enough to keep turning the pages).
Resurrection Dreams is...more
It's got some padding in it (like all Laymon books), but it's never boring like it is in King's books,and the pages fly by. Laymon's teenagers are among the very best in Horror Lit. They have one thing in mind: SEX. Outrageous, insane, but fun. A crazy ass dog, a traveling vampire show that recalls Bradbury's Something Wicked, but with horny teenagers and nude wrestling. Even some Lovecraftian weirdness at the end. Probably the best Laymon I've read.
I didn't have high hopes for this book after having read the Beasthouse Series, which although not bad, was fairly bland for my tastes. I was pleasantly surprised by this story, which was far more heartfelt and character driven. The entire story takes place in less than 24 hours, though a few flashbacks add into the depth of the tale. The story revolves around 3 friends - Dwight (who is the voice of the book), Rusty, and Slim (who changes her name depending on her favorite book at the moment). M...more
Much better than the past book of his I read "The Lake" -- but alas that isn't saying much. Laymon sets things up rather well and then really not much happens, reading like a rather lame rendition of "Stand By Me". (coupled with really horny teens having fantasies that go on WAY too long) An amazon.com reviewer nailed what I felt exactly about the middle portion: "It's almost as if the author wrote opening and closing chapters that (vaguely) deal with the vampire story, and filled in the middle...more
1 like · like · see review
Wow! I REALLY enjoyed this book. So much so, that I stayed up WAY too late to finish it because it was just so suspenseful. I seriously could not put it down for even one second! I really liked the writing style, not to mention the very-charming characters. And while not everything was explained, it somehow didn't bother me as much as it normally would... everything just worked. And the author is from Illinois!! I will DEFINITELY be keeping an eye out for other books by him! What an exciting thi...more
3 likes · like · see review
This is the first Richard Laymon book that I read and the last he wrote before he died. It is an amazing book and won him posthumously the Stoker award of 2001. Though Laymon is not for everyone, his writing is filled with graphic nudity and often quite disturbing violence and images, many of his stories have a coming of age aura to them, and every book of his that I have read I was literally unable to put down until I finished it. He has definitely become one of my favorites. And I cannot recom...more
4 likes · like · see review
Stephen King said it best: “If you’ve missed Laymon, you’ve missed a treat.”
I came across The Traveling Vampire Show by Richard Laymon by fluke. But as soon as I finished it, I read another four or five Laymon books in a row. He is somewhat hit or miss, but The Traveling Vampire Show was a bullseye. Moreover, it is the last book he wrote before he died, and it won him the Bram Stoker award (posthumously) in 2001.
Like many of Laymon’s work, this is a great coming of age story involving a bunch of...more
I came across The Traveling Vampire Show by Richard Laymon by fluke. But as soon as I finished it, I read another four or five Laymon books in a row. He is somewhat hit or miss, but The Traveling Vampire Show was a bullseye. Moreover, it is the last book he wrote before he died, and it won him the Bram Stoker award (posthumously) in 2001.
Like many of Laymon’s work, this is a great coming of age story involving a bunch of...more
Laymon's excellent coming-of-age tale tinged with potentially-supernatural elements is an excellent read, and a great introduction to this author for those unfamiliar with his work. Dwight, Slim and Rusty are all sixteen years old, growing up in rural America in 1963 when the flyers for "The Traveling Vampire Show (no one under 18 admitted)" start cropping up all over town. The trio decide that they absolutely must get into the event, no matter what, as it promises to be the greatest thing to hi...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Aug 09, 2010
Michael McCarty
added it
THE TRAVELING VAMPIRE SHOW
Come and see – the one and only known VAMPIRE in captivity!
- VALERIA -
Gorgeous! Beguiling! Lethal!
So starts the text of a flyer tacked to power poles and trees all over the rural town of Grandville. It's a hot August morning in 1963, and with this sexy, scary announcement of a one-night-only, adults-only event outside of town, things are starting to get hotter.
For three teenage friends, this is definitely a performance that cannot be missed. Although they're under...more
Come and see – the one and only known VAMPIRE in captivity!
- VALERIA -
Gorgeous! Beguiling! Lethal!
So starts the text of a flyer tacked to power poles and trees all over the rural town of Grandville. It's a hot August morning in 1963, and with this sexy, scary announcement of a one-night-only, adults-only event outside of town, things are starting to get hotter.
For three teenage friends, this is definitely a performance that cannot be missed. Although they're under...more
My deepest respect to the late Richard Laymon and his surviving family. I mean no disrepect to his memory.
*takes deep breath* Okay, here I go...
I like to go on book binges, at the library or a used bookstore and just randomly get 5 - 10 titles. I read The Traveling Vampire Show during one of these binges. I can't even remember the ending, because I found the story absurd.
Fast forward about 7 years, I was trying to remember the title of THAT DAMN BOOK so I could add it to GoodReads. Alas, when it...more
*takes deep breath* Okay, here I go...
I like to go on book binges, at the library or a used bookstore and just randomly get 5 - 10 titles. I read The Traveling Vampire Show during one of these binges. I can't even remember the ending, because I found the story absurd.
Fast forward about 7 years, I was trying to remember the title of THAT DAMN BOOK so I could add it to GoodReads. Alas, when it...more
3 likes · like · see review
I've read a few Laymon novels with varying levels of enjoyment. Resurrection Dreams I enjoyed for its gory over-the-top fun but I just couldn't get into Flesh or Funland .
Despite its title this book is not about vampires. It's about three 16 year old friends and their fascination with visiting the upcoming vampire show. It has moments of gore but mainly it's a coming of age tale focusing on these young kids. The lusty thoughts which I've come to expect from a Laymon book, and which usually c...more
Despite its title this book is not about vampires. It's about three 16 year old friends and their fascination with visiting the upcoming vampire show. It has moments of gore but mainly it's a coming of age tale focusing on these young kids. The lusty thoughts which I've come to expect from a Laymon book, and which usually c...more
5 likes · like · see review
THE TRAVELING VAMPIRE SHOW. Come and see - the one and only known VAMPIRE in captivity. - VALERIA - Gorgeous! Beguiling! Lethal!
This is a coming of age story. The entire story unfolds over the course of one day, and one long night. Three local teenagers desire nothing more than to see, `The Traveling Vampire Show.'
Richard Laymon writes with a fluid sense of ease, his prose flow effortlessly allowing the reader to feel comfortable within the world of his text. This allows for a quick and satisf...more
This is a coming of age story. The entire story unfolds over the course of one day, and one long night. Three local teenagers desire nothing more than to see, `The Traveling Vampire Show.'
Richard Laymon writes with a fluid sense of ease, his prose flow effortlessly allowing the reader to feel comfortable within the world of his text. This allows for a quick and satisf...more
This is, by far, Laymon's best work. I have read EVERYTHING the man ever wrote before he died in 2001. Next to Stephen King, no one has played a bigger role in molding me into the writer I have become. Laymon is not for everyone. He's a minimalist, never verbose, and can drum up a shock a minute while still developing characters. He has a penchant for borderline porn. If you're a prude, do not pick Laymon up. If blood and gore aren't your thing, STAY AWAY!
What I love about The Traveling Vampire...more
What I love about The Traveling Vampire...more
Not much of a horror story, I would catalog this one as a good thriller instead. Although it takes an eternity to finally get to the travelling vampire show action, it doesn't disappoint once you get there. Lots of strange action takes place at the end of the book. The characters are nicely done and the overall flavor of the story is like a warm memory of an exciting summer adventure of when we were young..... with monsters lurking in our imaginations at every corner, behind every tree.
The begin...more
The begin...more
I was totally disappointed in this book. I was expecting a chiller, and instead got a book about teenagers killing time. Halfway through the book we watched the protagonists do laundry, LAUNDRY! We don't even get to the Vampire Show until after page 400, and then the whole plot goes inexplicably bonkers. There were all sorts of loose ends left throughout the book that I was waiting to be resolved, but just left me with a bitter 'wtf' flavor in my mouth.
It's the story of three teens trying to get into an adults-only vampire show coming to town. Nicely written as far as the coming-of-age theme goes; good Dwight-voice. Lots of longing on Dwight's part for Slim. By the time I got to the end of the book, I didn't care about what happened to Rusty because of what he had done.
It dragged on a bit, but I was okay with that. Some eyebrow raising scenarios were suggested about some of the relationships within the book, which I found interesting (always w...more
It dragged on a bit, but I was okay with that. Some eyebrow raising scenarios were suggested about some of the relationships within the book, which I found interesting (always w...more
3 Stars
It was okay, or just more than okay. It was pretty good; I just think I expected more. This is nothing remotely close to Something Wicked This Way Comes, so don't even compare. Most of the story is about 2 immature boys, their hormones and the fact that they want to go to the Traveling Vampire Show. A few odd things happen along the way, and it is not the fault of the carnies either. The oddities occur at the hands of one of their own, which is a lot creepier than a vamp doing it, which y...more
It was okay, or just more than okay. It was pretty good; I just think I expected more. This is nothing remotely close to Something Wicked This Way Comes, so don't even compare. Most of the story is about 2 immature boys, their hormones and the fact that they want to go to the Traveling Vampire Show. A few odd things happen along the way, and it is not the fault of the carnies either. The oddities occur at the hands of one of their own, which is a lot creepier than a vamp doing it, which y...more
2 likes · like · see review
I liked the concept, and the execution was nearly spot-on; the story is set in the early sixties and was rich with details from that era. The characters were very life-like. There was a lot of the author's trademark off-beat humor infused into the narrative, as well.
This story was suspenseful, and built to a pretty satisfying conclusion, and it was almost perfectly paced. I bought it for my Kindle Fire, and have to point out that there were many typos and the author's name popped up in the middl...more
Most of Laymon's books, as I read them, I ask myself "what is WRONG with me? I must be SICK to enjoy this stuff!!!" But this was a (relatively) lighter fare - sort of a coming of age fable, in a way. And, well, I enjoy anything having to do with vampires - as long as the vampires don't (completely) lose . . . :-)= That said, this, like any Laymon work, isn't for the faint of heart, nor for those who are looking for a happily-ever-after ending. Laymon wrote TRUE horror, which is becoming increasi...more
So I just finished this book and I am still haunted by it. I would say this is a must-read even for people who don't really like 'horror' books. First and foremost, this is a great character piece about the three teenage kids. To me, they were written very true to life. This book will make you think back to when you were growing up. It reminded me very much of Stand By Me, but with horror elements thrown in. The character relationship of Dwight and Slim is EXCELLENT!
The book is spooky as well a...more
The book is spooky as well a...more
One reviewer called this book "Stephen King without a conscience". I thought the same thing, as well as "Stephen King without the wonderful characterization that makes us care about the folks in the story". I kept wanting to compare this to Stand By Me (The Body), or Dan Simmon's Summer of Nights. All of them are about coming of age in the 60's as well as dead bodies, ancient evils and vampires. But Layton's character's are so one dimensional I didn't develop a feel or feeling for them. What kep...more
Coming down from reading All Men Are Mortal, I needed a brain breather and Laymon's The Traveling Vampire Show nicely fitted the bill.
Laymon does two things very well: (1) He powerfully invokes the "horror" of being a teen-age boy. If you're a man and not squirming at being reminded of all the awkwardness of that age, you were raised by wolves. (2) He keeps you on the edge of your seat. You really don't know what's going on or what's going to happen next for much of the novel.
There are parts of...more
Laymon does two things very well: (1) He powerfully invokes the "horror" of being a teen-age boy. If you're a man and not squirming at being reminded of all the awkwardness of that age, you were raised by wolves. (2) He keeps you on the edge of your seat. You really don't know what's going on or what's going to happen next for much of the novel.
There are parts of...more
The Traveling Vampire Show turned out to be a great read! I had to sit and debate with myself over whether to give this book 4 or 5 stars. I went with 4 stars because if it were worthy of 5, I shouldn't have had to think about it.
Anyways, the characterization in this novel is excellent. I really felt as if I got to know these three kids--Dwight, Rusty, and Slim. Dwight is the good, pretty much all American kid. Rusty is the little perv of the group. You know something is "off" with this kid pre...more
Anyways, the characterization in this novel is excellent. I really felt as if I got to know these three kids--Dwight, Rusty, and Slim. Dwight is the good, pretty much all American kid. Rusty is the little perv of the group. You know something is "off" with this kid pre...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This is another of those Award Winners that makes one think that awards should not be given out every year(just when one is worthy)
That false sense of hope can be a Bitch!
Pros= (couple good bit actors)Slim is a Good Female Character, But its the other main characters amigo Rusty who steals the show!!!
Cons=The Stupidity level keeps getting ratcheted up the Yin/Yang.
Hey I don't know if I'm gonna do a Christopher Walken and keep saying
"More Rusty" but definitely have no choice but to say "less is...more
That false sense of hope can be a Bitch!
Pros= (couple good bit actors)Slim is a Good Female Character, But its the other main characters amigo Rusty who steals the show!!!
Cons=The Stupidity level keeps getting ratcheted up the Yin/Yang.
Hey I don't know if I'm gonna do a Christopher Walken and keep saying
"More Rusty" but definitely have no choice but to say "less is...more
The cover and back description made me buy this book hoping for a good and exciting book from Laymon. Unfortunately, I was let down. The book is so slow and full of unnecessary scenes and descriptions that when I read it the first time, I stopped reading it about 1/4 of the way through the book. I picked it up again a couple of months later thinking my original expectations were too high, but was still disappointed although I did finish the book. Bug by the time the vampire finally takes the sta...more
I saw this book at my library and I knew I had to get it. I read it as soon as I got home, and found myself rereading it again and again. I thought that it was a great book. I was extremely fascinated by the character of Valeria. I don't know why but I was. It was very interesting to read a scary vampire story that wasn't Twilight. I also liked the other characters whose names escape my mind right now. I loved how he started it with the announcement, and that instantly gets you into the mood of...more
The great Richard Laymon won the Bram Stoker Award for best novel of the year for this book. Although it's not his best (IN THE DARK and ISLAND are better), this is classic Laymon in suspense, perversion, and violence. It has a very slow build and takes almost 300 pages to final get at the real action, but the ride is well worth it. The last 90 pages is like a blast of adrenaline and makes up for a weak first three-quarters. He builds the characters and suspense very slowly - sometimes too slowl...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Richard Laymon was born in Chicago and grew up in California. He earned a BA in English Literature from Willamette, and an MA from Loyola University. He worked as a schoolteacher, a librarian, and a report writer for a law firm, and was the author of more than thirty acclaimed novels.
He also published more than sixty short stories in magazines such as Ellery Queen, Alfred Hitchcock, and Cavalier,...more
More about Richard Laymon...
He also published more than sixty short stories in magazines such as Ellery Queen, Alfred Hitchcock, and Cavalier,...more
Jan 19, 2013 03:03pm
Bwa...more
May 17, 2013 07:01am