annotated bibliography 8: Brodman, B. Doan, J.E. (2013) The Universal Vampire: Origins and Evolution of a Legend, Fairleigh Dickinson University Press.

Brodman, B. Doan, J.E. (2013) The Universal Vampire: Origins and Evolution of a Legend, Fairleigh Dickinson University Press.

An in depth examination of the Vampiric tropes and history within legend and contemporary media as well as offering explanations for the success and longevity of the vampire. This text actually posits that the vampire is a universal archetype within lore across cultures, giving examples such as the Draugr of Scandinavia as well as comparable folklore across the world from Japan to Native America. One of the most interesting ideas in this text is the examination of the female vampire as a key reason for the tenacity of the legend. A powerful, beautiful and immortal woman tying in comparisons to mythical Lilith and also to Carmilla in her various incarnations in modern media. It’s hard to argue with the idea that eternal youth, eternal vigour and power are intriguing concepts to audiences the world over which help keep, and make the vampire such a pivotal and archetypal monster.