Vous voulez voir cette page en fran�ais ? Cliquez ici.

Quantity:

More Buying Choices

Have one to sell? Sell yours here

See larger image

Share your own customer images

Publisher: learn how customers can search inside this book.

Vampire Vow: A Novel [Paperback]

Michael Schiefelbein (Author)

3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)

Price:	CDN$ 18.00 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over CDN$ 25. Details
	o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.ca. Gift-wrap available.

Only 1 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).

Want it delivered Monday, February 13? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout.

Product Details

Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Alyson Books (July 1 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1555835864
ISBN-13: 978-1555835866
Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 13.3 x 1.4 cm
Shipping Weight: 181 g

Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #321,785 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #16 in Books > Gay & Lesbian > Literature & Fiction > Mysteries > Gay

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Product Description

Michael Schiefelbein, after spending ten years studying for the priesthood, graduated from the University of Maryland with a doctorate in English. He is a professor of writing and literature in Memphis, TN.

An interview with Michael Schiefelbein author of Vampire Vow

"I wanted Jesus. That's how it started. Yes, the Jesus they built a religion on, the one they say rose from the dead."

With this opening sentence, it becomes immediately clear that this is not a typical novel, and by the time you have raced through the remaining 213 blood-soaked, terrifying pages, it is clear that Vampire Vow is not a typical vampire novel either.

Victor Decimus is perhaps the most horrifyingly amoral creature of the night ever created, and yet in Michael Schiefelbein's skilled hands he is almost as attractive as he is repellent. Combining sex, religion, and blood lust is a tricky business and not for the faint of heart, but as we discovered from our conversation with Vampire Vow author Michael Schiefelbein, he knows whereof he speaks:

Alyson: Your novel violates quite a few taboos-the sex-religion combination, the subject of Jesus' sexuality, vampires and Jesus-I mean, you have a man falling in love with Jesus and becoming a vampire to spite him. Are you nervous about reactions?

Michael Schiefelbein: Like crosses burning on my lawn? The thought has crossed my mind, especially here in the Bible Belt. But I strongly believe in a real, human Jesus who might have been gay. Who knows? And to me, the ultimate tribute you can pay someone is to desire him, body and soul. In terms of sex in the novel, it's appropriate. Victor, the protagonist, is a ruthless, passionate Roman guard who uses sex to assert his power. He's not admirable for that, but his fury with depictions of Jesus as otherworldly and asexual is justified. Victor certainly exploits the Church by posing as a monk and pretending to play according to the monastery's rules. But he also brings some flesh and blood-no pun intended-into spirituality.

Alyson: So the idea of Jesus as a lover isn't blasphemous to you?

MS: Some of the great Christian mystics saw him that way-St. John of the C

About the Author

Michael Schiefelbein, after spending ten years studying for the priesthood, graduated from the University of Maryland with a doctorate in English. He has lived in Italy and Washington, D.C., and now resides in Memphis, Tenn., where he is a professor of writing and literature.

Tag this product

(What's this?)

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

Customer Reviews

23 Reviews

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

Average Customer Review

3.3 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most helpful customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Taboo subject, not much in the way of LUST!, Feb 11 2004

Jane Doe - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vampire Vow: A Novel (Paperback)

Vampire Vow is a very well written novel about the Vampire Victor who falls in love with Jesus. While the idea is definitely taboo, which makes it an interesting read; this book is not for the reader who wants to be wooed by vampire eroticism whether it is gay or otherwise. If you like a good read with a definite underlying taboo tone then this is the book for you, however if you want lust then I suggest you read Poppy Brite, Anne Rice, or Laurell Hamilton.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

4.0 out of 5 stars A Book That'll Make You Go Hmmm....., Sep 8 2003

Shannon (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vampire Vow: A Novel (Paperback)

I've read just about every vampire novel that's out there, but I've never come across one that is centered around a gay vampire monk in love with Jesus. Some may find this very hard to swallow, others may find it disgraceful, some, like myself, may find it hard to put down.

Now, I'm a heterosexual female and I must say that some scenes didn't agree with me. They weren't the scenes that included guy on guy action, but actually, the more gory ones bothered me the most. Michael Schiefelbein's vampire is more animal than man. The way he discards his victims like yesterday's garbage is almost apalling. But one of Schiefelbein's characters explains the vampire's actions justly; "nature is nature." But I just wasn't used to this because so many authors nowadays write about the romantic vampire.

This take on the vampire was very refreshing. I also thoroughly enjoyed Schiefelbein's writing style. I found that the book was so easy to read, that it was done and I was reading the sequel (Vampire Thrall) before I knew it.

Don't discount this title because of its homosexual content. It truly is something different and enjoyable if you just let yourself be taken away by the story. It's really hard to explain unless you actually sit down and read it.

If you are offended by gore, violence, and homosexual sex (and rape), I suggest you look elsewhere.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice read, Feb 2 2003

M. Denil "spablue" (Leuven Belgium) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Vampire Vow: A Novel (Paperback)

Try not to read it as a Christian, you will find it a nice innovative read.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review