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Varney the Vampyre; or, The Feast of Blood, Part 2
Before there was Dracula, there was Varney the Vampyre, the most famous of the sensational penny dreadfuls issued by Victorian-era publishers. Printed anonymously in serial form in 1847, these gripping tales recount the exploits of a deathless creature with an insatiable appetite for blood. A succession of exciting episodes chronicle the horrible fates of Varney's victims as well as the terrifying experiences of the band of comrades sworn to destroy the vampire.
Varney the Vampyre not only thrilled countless eager readers but also established many of the conventions and ideas associated with vampirism.Scarcely any copies of the original edition survive, yet this legendary "feast of blood" continues to captivate readers with its inexplicable deaths, impossible escapes, revivifications, and graveyard rituals. This volume is the second of a two-book set, both of which feature many atmospheric woodcut illustrations.
Dover (2015) republication of the edition published by E. Lloyd Salisbury Square, London, 1847.
Varney the Vampyre not only thrilled countless eager readers but also established many of the conventions and ideas associated with vampirism.Scarcely any copies of the original edition survive, yet this legendary "feast of blood" continues to captivate readers with its inexplicable deaths, impossible escapes, revivifications, and graveyard rituals. This volume is the second of a two-book set, both of which feature many atmospheric woodcut illustrations.
Dover (2015) republication of the edition published by E. Lloyd Salisbury Square, London, 1847.
448 pages, Paperback
First published June 9, 2014
About the author
James Malcolm Rymer
229 books33 followersJames Malcolm Rymer was a British nineteenth century writer of penny dreadfuls, and is the probable author of Varney the Vampire, often attributed to fellow writer Thomas Peckett Prest, and co-author (with Prest) of The String of Pearls, in which the notorious villain Sweeney Todd makes his literary debut.
Information about Rymer is sketchy. In the London Directory for 1841 he is listed as a civil engineer, living at 42 Burton Street, and the British Museum catalogue mentions him in 1842 as editing the Queen's Magazine. Between 1842 to the 1867 he wrote up to 115 popular novels for the English bookseller and publisher, Edward Lloyd, including the best-sellers Ada the Betrayed, Varney the Vampyre and The String of Pearls. Rymer's novels appeared in England under his own name as well as anagrammatic pseudonyms such as Malcolm J. Errym and Malcolm J. Merry.
He died on 11 August 1884 and is buried in Kensal Green cemetery, west London.
Information about Rymer is sketchy. In the London Directory for 1841 he is listed as a civil engineer, living at 42 Burton Street, and the British Museum catalogue mentions him in 1842 as editing the Queen's Magazine. Between 1842 to the 1867 he wrote up to 115 popular novels for the English bookseller and publisher, Edward Lloyd, including the best-sellers Ada the Betrayed, Varney the Vampyre and The String of Pearls. Rymer's novels appeared in England under his own name as well as anagrammatic pseudonyms such as Malcolm J. Errym and Malcolm J. Merry.
He died on 11 August 1884 and is buried in Kensal Green cemetery, west London.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 8, 2012
Volume 2
Started with the continuation of the story of the Bannerworth's having to flee their home after being tormented out of it by Varney. Varney though had his own trouble continually being hunted. I think my favourite part of the volume was when he was being hunted by the villagers fleeing from rooftop to rooftop and eventually ended up at the doorstep of Flora, the girl who he attacked in the begining. In the end she saved his life twice. At that point he was at his most vulnerable and human.
The book diverged shortly after this with the introduction of a "Wealthy foreign baron" who was quite obviously Varney in disguise. It was a little annoying that the pretext of him being the Baron was kept up for so long. Towards the end of the second volume it felt like it kinda lost pace, with the exception of one very good scene of a vampire rising from the dead in a charnel house there was very little horror or gothic. The focus instead shifted to humour and the evils of women who are only interested in money. Who sell their daughters into marriage and have no feeling for their happiness or well being. It just started to all drag on a bit.
Still so far this is probably the second best story about Vampires that I've ever read. I'm greatly enjoying the style and the dramaticness of it all. There is real tension in the writing and Rymer writes some incredibly spooky scenes.
Started with the continuation of the story of the Bannerworth's having to flee their home after being tormented out of it by Varney. Varney though had his own trouble continually being hunted. I think my favourite part of the volume was when he was being hunted by the villagers fleeing from rooftop to rooftop and eventually ended up at the doorstep of Flora, the girl who he attacked in the begining. In the end she saved his life twice. At that point he was at his most vulnerable and human.
The book diverged shortly after this with the introduction of a "Wealthy foreign baron" who was quite obviously Varney in disguise. It was a little annoying that the pretext of him being the Baron was kept up for so long. Towards the end of the second volume it felt like it kinda lost pace, with the exception of one very good scene of a vampire rising from the dead in a charnel house there was very little horror or gothic. The focus instead shifted to humour and the evils of women who are only interested in money. Who sell their daughters into marriage and have no feeling for their happiness or well being. It just started to all drag on a bit.
Still so far this is probably the second best story about Vampires that I've ever read. I'm greatly enjoying the style and the dramaticness of it all. There is real tension in the writing and Rymer writes some incredibly spooky scenes.
November 4, 2018
Another Volume of the antics and situations that Varney the Vampyre seems to get into this picks up where Volume one ended. Another great written manuscript by Thomas Preskett Prest. I loved it a must read for vampyre genre lovers. This is the story that led to the rest and current vampyre themed books movies and more. I Loved it!!!!
October 18, 2017
My copy is the 1980s edition.
June 16, 2014
After finishing this book one year and one month after starting it, this is my conclusion: A beautifully written mess! No plot, no point, no ending. If you have time for 96 chapters of confusion, then please, take up this book. And if you do not, then "You're welcome".
August 12, 2010
haha...still funny
July 29, 2011
Even less about Varney--or vampires, for that matter--than the previous installment. It was educational to get a sense what this book is about, but I doubt I'll suffer the remaining third part.
August 16, 2013
I loved it, though, it was a bit slow in places but the revelations and twists of the plot were so intriguing to me i just had to keep reading
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews