I think it's safe to say that the majority of viewers enjoyed Forrest Gump. Picture this quiet and unassuming man, present at and occasionally inadvertently contributing to some of the 20th century's most iconic moments, and meeting some of the people that made the century what it became.
Now, let's take that same concept and twist it around a little no, a lot. To begin with, let's take away the tangential connection between the protagonist and events let him take an active role in actually shaping history, especially American history. Then, take away the limitations of time instead of beginning with the 1950s, let's go all the way back to the first American colonies. How employ the immortality (and other aspects) of vampirism.
The Last American Vampire, by Seth Grahame-Smith, is a follow-up to the author's successful Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter. A strong supporting character in the first novel, vampire Henry Sturges, takes the lead for this epic novel, spanning approximately 400 years of American and world history. Grahame-Smith allows us glimpses into the lives and occasionally, deaths and very occasionally, rebirths of various historical characters from that vast time period.
Much of the novel centers around some of the great historical mysteries of the past 4 centuries. What DID happen to the colonists at Roanoke? What was the real story and motivation behind Jack the Ripper? And was there a conspiracy behind the assassination of John F. Kennedy? Most importantly, the novel addresses the concept of What IS an American? What IS the American Spirit? And, who better to address that ideal than someone who has lived through the entirety of it?
HOWEVER I found one major frustration in this book. Our main antagonist I never did learn just what motivated this character to get involved in events. What drove this person from who they were at their beginning to evolve or revolve into the person they became? I picked up a hint or two, but it never seemed to me that the author was interested in their motivation, nor the factors that led them to change from their initial appearance to the plotter & schemer they became. (It is extremely difficult to write this without providing a spoiler I trust I succeeded for those who have not yet read the book.)
I am VERY glad that I took the time to read this book or in my case, listen to the audio rendition. Despite it's one glaring hole, I enjoyed it very much. I hope to see Henry Sturges again in a future work, providing the author can come up with a fresh take on him and on his circumstances.
RATING: 4.5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars where appropriate.
Now, let's take that same concept and twist it around a little no, a lot. To begin with, let's take away the tangential connection between the protagonist and events let him take an active role in actually shaping history, especially American history. Then, take away the limitations of time instead of beginning with the 1950s, let's go all the way back to the first American colonies. How employ the immortality (and other aspects) of vampirism.
The Last American Vampire, by Seth Grahame-Smith, is a follow-up to the author's successful Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter. A strong supporting character in the first novel, vampire Henry Sturges, takes the lead for this epic novel, spanning approximately 400 years of American and world history. Grahame-Smith allows us glimpses into the lives and occasionally, deaths and very occasionally, rebirths of various historical characters from that vast time period.
Much of the novel centers around some of the great historical mysteries of the past 4 centuries. What DID happen to the colonists at Roanoke? What was the real story and motivation behind Jack the Ripper? And was there a conspiracy behind the assassination of John F. Kennedy? Most importantly, the novel addresses the concept of What IS an American? What IS the American Spirit? And, who better to address that ideal than someone who has lived through the entirety of it?
HOWEVER I found one major frustration in this book. Our main antagonist I never did learn just what motivated this character to get involved in events. What drove this person from who they were at their beginning to evolve or revolve into the person they became? I picked up a hint or two, but it never seemed to me that the author was interested in their motivation, nor the factors that led them to change from their initial appearance to the plotter & schemer they became. (It is extremely difficult to write this without providing a spoiler I trust I succeeded for those who have not yet read the book.)
I am VERY glad that I took the time to read this book or in my case, listen to the audio rendition. Despite it's one glaring hole, I enjoyed it very much. I hope to see Henry Sturges again in a future work, providing the author can come up with a fresh take on him and on his circumstances.
RATING: 4.5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars where appropriate.
