Three Vampire Tales: Dracula, Carmilla, and The Vampyre
Edited by Anne Williams.
Three classic works of vampire literature come together for the first time in one volume. Complementing the complete texts are background essays as well as additional selections by the three authors and others. Because the vampire novel has proven so influential in film, an extensive filmography is included.
Contents:
- The Vampyre: A Tale by John Polidori
- Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu
- Dracula by Bram Stoker
Bram Stoker
Bram Stoker is remembered today not just as the author of Dracula, but as the architect of a gothic legacy that has both haunted and captivated readers for over a century. Born in 1847 in Dublin, Ireland, Stoker's own lifeâmarked by illness, mystery, and a relentless curiosityâseems almost tailor-made to produce the kind of dark, thrilling stories that would go on to define the horror genre.
Long before Dracula gripped the world in its eerie embrace, Stoker worked as a civil servant and personal assistant to famed actor Henry Irving. His time with Irving, combined with his deep love of literature, theater, and the supernatural, shaped Stokerâs imagination. He was an avid reader of gothic novels and became fascinated by the folklore of Eastern Europe. Yet, while Dracula would eventually rise to iconic status, it wasnât Stokerâs only accomplishmentâhis pen also gave life to other dark tales, such as The Lair of the White Worm, which features his signature blend of horror, the occult, and sinister landscapes.