Horror Bites: The Last Vampire by T M Wright
There have been literally 100s and 100s of books written about vampires over the decades, some good, some pretty dreadful. One that seems to have gotten lost in the mists of times is T M Wrights The Last Vampire which I came across in my bookcase recently and which I hadn’t read in a while.
Written in 1991, it’s a short book, more of a novella than full-blown novel. But it does offer a new perspective on the vampire story and is less traditional than many in the genre.
Who Was T M Wright?
T.M. Wright was an American writer of horror and suspense fiction, born on April 27, 1947, in Pennsylvania. He spent most of his childhood in Bradford, a small town in northern Pennsylvania, and later attended the University of Pittsburgh. After college, he worked as a social worker and therapist, which he credits with inspiring many of his stories.
Wright’s writing career began in the 1970s when he started publishing short stories in various magazines and anthologies. His first published novel, The Manor, was released in 1980 and received critical acclaim. Over the next few decades, Wright went on to publish over 20 novels and numerous short stories, becoming known for his unique blend of horror, suspense, and psychological thriller elements.
One of Wright’s most famous works is The Last Vampire, published in 1992. The novel tells the story of a vampire named Elmer Land, who has grown tired of his existence. It marked a departure for Wright, who was known for his horror and suspense fiction but had never written a vampire story before.
Throughout his career, Wright received numerous awards and honours for his writing, including the Bram Stoker Award, the World Fantasy Award, and the International Horror Guild Award. His work was praised by critics and fellow authors alike, with Stephen King calling him “a rare and blazing talent.”
Sadly, T.M. Wright passed away on October 31, 2015, at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy of haunting and thought-provoking fiction.
What’s the Plot of The Last Vampire by T M Wright?
The Last Vampire chronicles the life of Elmer Land who is transformed into a fanged, melancholic blood sucker. T.M. Wright crafts a tale, drenched in melancholy, yearning, and an ineffable sense of loss.
We first join Elmer in the aftermath of a nuclear war where he appears to be the only being left on the planet. While he is alone, he can hear the thoughts of the dead:
“…they whisper to me that they never ever thought it was going to be like this, that they had expected something a bit more final, or a bit more ethereal. But they wait inside themselves, instead, and watch their bodies come apart, and they feel the awful pain that they were so certain death was going to bring an end to.”
He is also at the end of decay, his body rotting away. The story jumps back and forth between the present and the time when he was changed. He describes his creator as “…the archetypal vampire…a wide-eyed, quivering, and insatiable mass of fears and compulsions which, because of its own needs, eventually dooms itself.”
The Last Vampire is a meandering, if short, novel that brings a personal and fatalistic tone to its central character. The writing encapsulates a creature that cannot ignore its own nature and one that is mournful of the past and what could have been.
Despite the weariness, Elmer’s consciousness retains clarity, bearing the burden of his strange existence, even as his body begins to fade and become more ghostlike.
T.M. Wright transports his audience to the brink of oblivion, navigating through yearning, reminiscence, bereavement, and longing and regret. These motifs, recurrent in Wright’s work are rendered with consummate skill, evoking profound emotions within his readers.
Throughout the novel, Wright explores themes of mortality, loneliness, and the human condition. He also creates a haunting atmosphere of loneliness and vividly describes the landscapes and characters of the small-town setting.
The Last Vampire is a different take on the vampire genre, with a focus less on gore and shcoks and more on psychological horror and how it affects its few complex characters. It is a suspenseful and thought-provoking read that leaves a lasting impression on readers.
Why You Should Read the Last Vampire
There are several reasons why people should read The Last Vampire by T.M. Wright:
- Unique take on the vampire genre: The Last Vampire is a departure from the typical vampire story, with a focus on psychological horror and complex characters. It offers a fresh perspective on the genre that is both thought-provoking and suspenseful.
- Exploration of complex themes: The novel explores themes such as mortality, loneliness, and the human condition, making it a compelling read that resonates with readers long after they finish the book.
- Haunting atmosphere: Wright creates a vivid and haunting atmosphere that immerses the reader in the story. The small-town setting and the characters who inhabit it are richly detailed, making the story feel real and engaging.
- Critically acclaimed: The Last Vampire has received critical acclaim from readers and critics alike. It has won several awards, including the Bram Stoker Award and the International Horror Guild Award, and has been praised for its unique storytelling and haunting prose.
Overall, The Last Vampire is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that offers a unique take on the vampire genre. It is a must-read for fans of horror and suspense fiction, as well as anyone looking for a compelling and engaging story.
Have you got a favourite horror classic that lives long in the memory? Let us know in the comments section below.
