I seem to have come late to the whole "The Hunger" phenomena. I caught the movie starring Catherine Denueve and David Bowie a few months ago on TV. I was so intrigued with the story that I bought the video...and have ever since wondered what the ending signified. Everyone I've talked to has a different view so I thought I'd read the book.
At the end of the book I was still left confused, because the book has a totally different ending to the movie, and the whole story from the movie is only slightly based on the book.
That aside I loved the book. Set in early 1980's New York, the story has depth and class, and portrays a vampire story in a way that never mentions the word "vampire" or has any reference to fanged teeth, black capes and a dislike to sunlight, which is incredibly refreshing in this genre.
The "vampire" of the story, Miriam, is portrayed in a much more intelligent light, and the reader is left both wanting to hate the character and love her. The main subtext of the story concerns the problem that Miriam has with her partners whom after a couple of centuries of immortality start to rapidly age and Miriam thinks she's found the closest solution in the form of research doctor Sarah Roberts; who then becomes the object of her affections and the centre of all her plans.
There is the same love/hate feeling towards John, Miriam's current partner, and also towards her new partner Sarah. It's a wonderful book for toying with your feelings towards characters and their motives.
There is a good amount of back story on Miriam, providing more insight into the way she is(and also gives hints to her actions portrayed in the movie!) and yet you're still left wanting to know more and more about her. The story from her past grips you, and also the story in the present where she toys with Sarah and plans her course of action.
It is a stunning story that makes you think beyond the story itself. Now I understand why people call this book a classic vampire story. It is original and intriguing.