Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

"The Vampyre" is a short work of prose fiction written in 1819 by John William Polidori, taken from the story Lord Byron, told as part of a contest among Polidori, Mary Shelley, Lord Byron, and Percy Shelley.

Aubrey meets the mysterious Lord Ruthven at a social event when he comes to London. After briefly getting to know Ruthven, Aubrey agrees to go travelling around Europe with him. Aubrey slowly realizes that Ruthven delights in causing the ruin and degradation of others, and after Ruthven attempts to seduce the daughter of a mutual acquaintance near Rome, Aubrey leaves in disgust.

Did not know there was a prequel of sorts. Anyone in?

I've read this before and I'll give it another read since it's quick.
I had a copy but I can't find it so I'll read it online.
What's the prequel?

Was there a prequel at all? I thought that the publisher attributed the book to Byron, because his name was famous, and Polidori's was not, and that this was later amended after Polidori issued a legal notice.

Publishers in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries seem to have exercised a kind of tyranny and literary monopoly impossible to imagine today.

I’m in.

I don’t think there is a prequel, @ Villa Diodati, the contest between them, Byron wrote a fragment, Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein and Polidori took Byron’s fragment and turned it into The Vampyre.

Anisha Inkspill wrote: "I’m in.

I don’t think there is a prequel, @ Villa Diodati, the contest between them, Byron wrote a fragment, Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein and Polidori took Byron’s fragment and turned it into T..."

Yes, I think that was it.

Book Nerd wrote: "What's the prequel?"

When I was finding out information about it. I cant remember which site I was on, but it was saying it was "like" a prequel to Frankenstein. I do not think it meant literally a prequel just it comes before. Lord Byron had asked Shelley and Polidori to write these works. I figured those that read it or had researched it might know what they were talking about. I have not read it.

Lesle wrote: "Book Nerd wrote: "What's the prequel?"

When I was finding out information about it. I cant remember which site I was on, but it was saying it was "like" a prequel to Frankenstein. I do not think i..."

oh, interesting, and in a good way puzzling

possible hypothesis:

as both were written at the same time, I'm wondering if the discussions between the 5 of them, as Mary Shelley and John Polidori wrote their works, can loosely (maybe) be interpretted as a prequel ????

it's a kind of a stretch 😃

Anisha Inkspill wrote: "as both were written at the same time, I'm wondering if the discussions between the 5 of them, as Mary Shelley and John Polidori wrote their works, can loosely (maybe) be interpretted as a prequel ???? ..."

That is what I was thinking Inkspill. It would have been interesting to know what that conversation was like. Like how would one even start a random conversation like that? "Well I think both of you should write a ghost story"

Oh okay. But I don't think they're directly related.

Lesle wrote: "That is what I was thinking Inkspill. It would have been interesting to know what that conversation was like. Like how would one even start a random conversation like that? "Well I think both of you should write a ghost story""

I guess it's a reasonable thing to do in a world without tv and internet.

Anisha Inkspill wrote: "Lesle wrote: "Book Nerd wrote: "What's the prequel?"

When I was finding out information about it. I cant remember which site I was on, but it was saying it was "like" a prequel to Frankenstein. I ..."

In the edition I have of 'Vampyr,' there is a sentence in the preface (“Extract Of A Letter From Geneva.”) which throws some light (and a lot of name-dropping) on what you are wondering about, Anisha:

“It was afterwards proposed, in the course of conversation, that each of the company present should write a tale depending upon some supernatural agency, which was undertaken by Lord B(yron), the physician (John W Polidori), and Miss M. W. Godwin (later Mrs Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley).1

My friend, the lady above referred to, had in her possession the outline of each of these stories; I obtained them as a great favour, and herewith forward them to you, as I was assured you would feel as much curiosity as myself, to peruse the debauches of so great a genius, and those immediately under his influence." (* meaning Byron -- my take!).

1. Since published under the title of "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.”

The letter is possibly from John Polidori to Byron's publisher on the sly and without the poet's knowledge. I have been unable to get more information from a casual search, but more dedicated research will get to the bottom of the mystery!

I didn't plan on it, but I am going to join in on this one!

I'm in as well.

Lesle wrote: "Anisha Inkspill wrote: "as both were written at the same time, I'm wondering if the discussions between the 5 of them, as Mary Shelley and John Polidori wrote their works, can loosely (maybe) be in..."

Mbuye wrote: "Anisha Inkspill wrote: "Lesle wrote: "Book Nerd wrote: "What's the prequel?"

When I was finding out information about it. I cant remember which site I was on, but it was saying it was "like" a pre..."

(replying to post 8 by Lesle)

Yes, Lesle, it would be interesting to know how this happens.

So far what I’ve come across is that it was a contest set by Byron. Are they sitting their drinking their, I don’t know brandy, and Byron says let’s all write a story? Book Nerd says (in post 9) there was no tv or internet, why not, makes sense.

But a contest to write a story does not have the party feel that the events of Villa Diodati are spoken in. Or maybe 😃 I’m missing something.

Mbuye wrote: "Anisha Inkspill wrote: "Lesle wrote: "Book Nerd wrote: "What's the prequel?"

When I was finding out information about it. I cant remember which site I was on, but it was saying it was "like" a pre..."

(replying to post 10 by Mbuye)

How interesting Mbuye, I’m also intrigued by this letter’s mention of outlines. The receiver of this letter, did they know what they had? How exciting.

Anisha Inkspill wrote: "Mbuye wrote: "Anisha Inkspill wrote: "Lesle wrote: "Book Nerd wrote: "What's the prequel?"

When I was finding out information about it. I cant remember which site I was on, but it was saying it wa..."

Here's the thing: the writer of the letter is believed to have been Polidori. Polidori was taken along by Byron as a personal physician during his self-imposed exile from England due to his scandalous behaviour yadda yadda. And Polidori, according to some sites on the web, which I didn't make a note of, went behind his back to Byron's publisher, and in return for £500, arranged to send him regular despatches. In other words, spy on him. Ergo, the recipient of the Extract must have been Byron's publisher, fed little tidbits from Byron's table.

Much of this is speculation, but it is a fact that Byron soon fell out with Polidori and fired him, although they seemed to have been reconciled later, and Polidori was reinstated. So the arrangement with Byron's publisher continued, this time with the poet's knowledge and consent.

I don't live in an area with a good library or research facilities, and the information above is what I gathered from Google and various blogs, more from enthusiasts than scholars.

My chief grouse with Polidori is that the language of his Vampyr is so tortured, even by eighteenth/nineteenth century standards. 'Vampyr' is the very first vampire book ever, and it certainly is a creepy little tale, but more for what it doesn't say than for what it does.

There is a wonderful silent film called 'Vampyr' by Carl Theodor Dreyer released in 1932, but it is not based on Polidori's novel at all. It is worth watching. I think it is available on YouTube.

I hope this wasn't TMI. 😁

I've just finished the story-it's not bad, but it's not that good either. Of course, if you had never heard of a vampire legend, it might have been a lot more suspenseful for you.

Rosemarie wrote: "I've just finished the story-it's not bad, but it's not that good either. Of course, if you had never heard of a vampire legend, it might have been a lot more suspenseful for you."

I agree. It's like something a first-year student would write! Poor John William. Imagine being stuck with those brilliant, if fitful, minds all day long!

Mbuye wrote: "Anisha Inkspill wrote: "Mbuye wrote: "Anisha Inkspill wrote: "Lesle wrote: "Book Nerd wrote: "What's the prequel?"

When I was finding out information about it. I cant remember which site I was on,..."

(replying to post 15 by Mbuye)

This is fantastic info, I think today the internet is an amazing tool for us enthusiasts. I don’t know if your library is like mine, the books I am interested / readily on the shelf, completely understandable with lack of funds. The couple of lit encyclopaedias I have don’t mention a lot about Polidori, considering this story has left its mark I was slightly surprised but I guess even editors have to be selective. So, what you’ve found is interesting.

I kind of liked this. Yeah, the language of The Vampyre as you say is tortured, for me this heightened the creepiness, especially of those things unsaid, and I wasn’t sure if I was filling in the blank spaces with my 21stC take of vampire and vampire stories. But I’m really pleased I’ve read this. Until now Polidori has been a name I haven’t paid much attention to and passes me by.

Thanks for the movie suggestion, I was thinking about old classics; I have the Monsters set, it has 8 old Hollywood nlassics but just noticed no Vampires, it’s been ages since I watched it last.

Anisha Inkspill wrote: "Mbuye wrote: "Anisha Inkspill wrote: "Mbuye wrote: "Anisha Inkspill wrote: "Lesle wrote: "Book Nerd wrote: "What's the prequel?"

When I was finding out information about it. I cant remember which ..."
"--- if your library is like mine ... lack of funds."

😄 I suspect it is! Have fun with the movie, if you can find it!

This reads like a treatment for a novel more than as a fiction in its own right. Just a quick narration of ideas not fully elaborated into actual scenes. Though Polidori spent some time on the language, I would call the work unfinished at best. It could actually serve as a classroom exercise, since any fiction student with promise could make the story more compelling. I suppose it’s interesting historically if it’s the first vampire tale, but it’s not much to speak of in terms of storytelling.

John Dishwasher wrote: "This reads like a treatment for a novel more than as a fiction in its own right. Just a quick narration of ideas not fully elaborated into actual scenes. Though Polidori spent some time on the lang..."

Interesting thoughts John. Still does not compel me enough to read it. Just really not my type. Thanks for sharing for others to see!!

I read the story and agree with John above - it could be given to students to work on to make it better.

Regarding making it better, I assume it is out of copyright.

John Dishwasher wrote: "This reads like a treatment for a novel more than as a fiction in its own right. Just a quick narration of ideas not fully elaborated into actual scenes."
Yeah, it would have been better as a novel.

When you guys quote could you use the relevant information?
"Anisha Inkspill wrote: "Mbuye wrote: "Anisha Inkspill wrote: "Mbuye wrote: "Anisha Inkspill wrote: "Lesle wrote: "Book Nerd wrote:"
is very hard to follow.

Book Nerd wrote: " ... When you guys quote could you use the relevant information?.. is very hard to follow."

Yes, this would make it difficult to follow.

I'm not sure if this helps, I've gone back through my posts and added which posts I'm responding to, and will keep this in mind in future, where if I'm responding to a comment in the post I will highlight it.

Not sure about how the App works with that suggestion Book Nerd. I can understand it being confusing. I normally copy the part I want from the quote and paste it in after the " " marks. But...I use my laptop for this.

Anisha Inkspill wrote: "I'm not sure if this helps, I've gone back through my posts and added which posts I'm responding to, and will keep this in mind in future, where if I'm responding to a comment in the post I will highlight it."
Thanks

Lesle wrote: "Not sure about how the App works with that suggestion Book Nerd. I can understand it being confusing. I normally copy the part I want from the quote and paste it in after the " " marks. But...I use my laptop for this"
That's why computers are superior to cell phones. ;)

Book Nerd wrote: "That's why computers are superior to cell phones. ;)..."

Your totally right when it comes to Goodreads app!! :)