Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

This was a recommendation from my father-in-law; he brought it to me while we were all on vacation a few weeks ago. I was skeptical at first as I didn't really know how I felt about mashup novels but I trusted his judgement . . . and I loved it. LOVED it! It might be in my top five books, ever. I highly, highly recommend it. It's smart, it's well-paced and well-structured, and the ending (of course) had me bawling. A very clever story.

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, 2010, by Seth Grahame-Smith.

"The epistolary-style book is written as a biography of Abraham Lincoln, based on "secret diaries" kept by the 16th President and given to the author by a vampire named Henry Sturges." (wikipedia).


"But for all of Henry's lessons, nothing was more valuable than the time we spent trying to kill each other. At first I had been astonished by his speed and strength---convinced there was no way I would ever be its equal. Over time, however, I noticed that it took him longer and longer to subdue me. I even found myself landing the occasional strike. Soon it was not uncommon for me to best him three times out of ten."

"Have you ever wondered why? Why a vampire takes such an interest in ridding the earth of his own kind? Why he sends a man to kill in his stead? Or have you simply done his bidding blindly---the unquestioning, undyingly loyal servant?"


"I serve no man but myself," said Abe.


The barkeep laughed. "Avowed as only an American could." (!!!)

Clever and fun. You should check it out. Or if you're someone who prefers true history, buy the Zinn, because honestly, it's just as horrifying.