Vampires by Bob Curran

Vampires by Bob Curran

Vampire The very word conjures up visions of ruined castles, of enigmatic, pale-skinned noblemen shrouded in dark cloaks, of slumbering beauties being bloodily ravished by supernatural, nocturnal creatures. But just how accurate is that picture? How much do we really know about these mysterious entities? Surprisingly, perhaps, almost every culture can boast of its own vampire beings, few of which correspond to the stock Hollywood image-some are not even human in form, some do not drink blood, some appear in daylight.

Are you ready for such horrors as the Penangal, the screaming blood-soaked lead that drifts through the Malayan jungle seeking victims; the Jaracacca, the Brazilian stalker that hides in the clothes of its victims to drink their blood or bodily fluids; or the Aswang, the scaly demon of the Philippines, who lies among the leafy roofs of huts and drinks through its tongue? And how do we dispose of vampires? Is the simple stake through the heart--much beloved of Hollywood directors--really enough, or is there something more? And does the sight of the crucifix repel all vampires--what if the vampire is Jewish (a dibbyuk)? Vampires is a unique, lavishly illustrated work that explores the rich diversity of vampire belief and lore, ranging from countries as diverse as Japan, Sweden and Ireland, looking at their historical origins, and setting them in their cultural context.

Bob Curran is a prolific author and expert on Celtic culture and mythology, with over fifty books published in eleven languages. He teaches folklore and education across Ireland and gives talks in Northern Europe and the United States. Born in Northern Ireland, he worked as a gravedigger, journalist, scriptwriter, mortuary attendant, and radio programmer in the United Kingdom and the Americas before returning to his homeland. Curran has also worked on underground publications such as Oz, a London-based counterculture magazine, as well as for the Irish government as an educational and cultural adviser.