the vampire novel of the century

The Horror Writers Association has shortlisted six contenders – do they hit the right vein?


In these post-Twilight days, vampires are so ubiquitous that it's hard to believe they were once confined to a dark corner of the horror genre. But this mainstream acceptance – all sparkly rock star vampires and comedy bloodsuckers – has leeched away the terror of the shadow rising at the foot of the bed. Vampires just aren't scary any more. It's like Dracula never happened.

One hundred years after the death of Bram Stoker, the Horror Writers Assocation is reminding us what vampire fiction is really about with the launch of an award for the Bram Stoker Vampire Novel of the Century. After considering 35 novels published or translated into English over the last 100 years, a jury of writers and academics have come up with a shortlist of six for the prize.

So here are the six titles they consider to have "had the greatest impact on the horror genre since the publication of Dracula":

Salem's Lot by Stephen King
Many of us might have come to this through the genuinely spooky TV miniseries starring, um, Hutch off Starsky and Hutch. I'll not forget that dead kid scratching at the window in a hurry. Published in 1975, it was only King's second novel and showcased his now familiar themes of a man returning to his hometown to find a plague of evil. Source - Guardian - Click here to view the rest

I am Legend (actually the first zombie novel) and Interview with the Vampire are OK. Either that, or damn you flu virus, you have destroyed my taste buds.

Perry, don't judge "Interview With..." on the film. Read it. I think it's one of the best books ever (full stop)

Not surprised you'd say that, and you're not the first. But I loved it. What can I say?

I'll give it a go, Rose, but I find vampire stories much of a muchness if the plot is not broadened by humour and background. I find the fancy-pants vampires a pain and candle-less when compared to Nosferatu.
Tailor-made for film.