by Seth Grahame-Smith
Grand
Central Publishing March 2, 2010
ASIN:
B00351DSCS
While I try
to keep my reviews comical and entertaining I found this review especially
difficult because the material is already comical and entertaining. It’s like
if I were to try and make a joke about The Colbert Report. If you try to make
something that is already funny and great even more funny and great you run the
risk of ruining it.
Abraham
Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is one of the best books I’ve read in a while. It’s a
hilarious yet oddly believable telling of a well-known time in American history
and the unknown truth behind its motives. To be specific, did you know that the
Civil War was fought to banish vampires from America and prevent them from
enslaving mankind?
Presented as
part memoir part research project, “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” tells the
story of the man who was to be the greatest president and the greatest vampire
hunter.
Growing up on the American frontier, Abraham’s life was thrown into darkness after the death of his mother through mysterious causes. Years later, a drunken Thomas Lincoln admits to his eleven year old son that it was a vampire that killed his mother. After hearing his father's tale Abraham Lincoln begins his journey into infamy with a single line scribbled in his journal. “I hereby resolve to kill every vampire in America.”
Growing up on the American frontier, Abraham’s life was thrown into darkness after the death of his mother through mysterious causes. Years later, a drunken Thomas Lincoln admits to his eleven year old son that it was a vampire that killed his mother. After hearing his father's tale Abraham Lincoln begins his journey into infamy with a single line scribbled in his journal. “I hereby resolve to kill every vampire in America.”
I really
enjoyed the pacing of the book. It wasn’t all action all the time which added
to the realism of the story. Seth does a lot of exposition into the life of an
aging Lincoln and explores the moments of his life that affect his actions and
motives, which further brought life to the fictional version of the real
Lincoln.
What really
works for this book as with other parody novels is how they can take serious
subjects to extreme levels of ridiculousness yet still maintain the serious
tone. Not once did Abraham Lincoln break character and shout out “Wocka wocka
bitches!” as he chopped off a vampire’s head. It’s the same reason the Onion is
so popular. They tell the most ridiculous news stories but they do it with a
straight face and such conviction that you almost kind of believe them.
As I was
reading the book I was on a road trip and couldn’t help but laugh out loud
before telling my family “did you know that … was really because of vampires?”
to which my mom would roll her eyes at my ridiculousness.
If you’re a
fan of Vampires and/or American history I strongly recommend you read Abraham
Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. It is a perfect blend of action, comedy and wit to
keep you entertained and amused.
10/10
(*Side Note:
I’m also super looking forward to seeing the movie when it comes out in June. It
will be interesting to see in what direction they take the story as the book’s
action is mostly retold in Abraham’s journal. What are your thoughts on the
movie? Excited, hate the idea, who gives a rat's ass?)
No comments:
Post a Comment