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on 18 May 2008
I was surprised when I finished this book to realise it was a fantasy masterwork rather than a sci fi masterwork, if anything it bares striking similarities to "I Am Legend", at least in its portrayal of vampires as something other than reanimated corpses or cursed undead.
While the existence of vampires, their possible reconciliation with mankind or continued existence as predators with dillusions of grandeur or supremacy, is essential to the plot it is also a spellbinding tale about Abner Marsh, unlikely and accidential hero, man of his word, riverboat captain and in some ways "everyman".
Marsh doesnt have any strong opinions about slavery, politics, things of that nature but his direct encounters with the vampires, experiencing debates about superiority and inferiority between mankind and the vampiric other he thinks again about slavery in the run up to what becomes the American civil war.
The Fevre Dream is the name of Marsh's riverboat which he gets as part of a deal with a strange nocturnal mysteryman, it is a dream realised for Marsh and becomes something of an obsession and before the book is concluded the reader is reminded and given cause to reflect in the most brilliant way. Other reviews have rightly considered have a lot to do with friendship (anyone who enjoyed The Changing Seasons, The Shawshank Redemption and The Body/Stand by Me would appreciate this book) but its also about dreams, Marsh's riverboat dream across his lifetime, the dreams and leitmotifs of the other characters, dark and light.
This book proved to be compelling, the pace is perfect, the descriptions exacting and never over done, I'm confident that if you give over the time to reading it you'll find it rewarding. One of those rare books which when you're finished you can say you didnt just read it, you "lived it".
While the existence of vampires, their possible reconciliation with mankind or continued existence as predators with dillusions of grandeur or supremacy, is essential to the plot it is also a spellbinding tale about Abner Marsh, unlikely and accidential hero, man of his word, riverboat captain and in some ways "everyman".
Marsh doesnt have any strong opinions about slavery, politics, things of that nature but his direct encounters with the vampires, experiencing debates about superiority and inferiority between mankind and the vampiric other he thinks again about slavery in the run up to what becomes the American civil war.
The Fevre Dream is the name of Marsh's riverboat which he gets as part of a deal with a strange nocturnal mysteryman, it is a dream realised for Marsh and becomes something of an obsession and before the book is concluded the reader is reminded and given cause to reflect in the most brilliant way. Other reviews have rightly considered have a lot to do with friendship (anyone who enjoyed The Changing Seasons, The Shawshank Redemption and The Body/Stand by Me would appreciate this book) but its also about dreams, Marsh's riverboat dream across his lifetime, the dreams and leitmotifs of the other characters, dark and light.
This book proved to be compelling, the pace is perfect, the descriptions exacting and never over done, I'm confident that if you give over the time to reading it you'll find it rewarding. One of those rare books which when you're finished you can say you didnt just read it, you "lived it".
on 14 March 2017
Fantastic book bought it many years ago so I am right chuffed I am able to listen to the book
on 11 December 2016
Vampires on the Missisippi!
on 12 October 2016
When you pick up a novel by a famous author, it's hard not to have preconceptions about the style and subject, so having read (and watched) the entire Game of Thrones series I expected another epic world in Fevre Dream. Written 14 years before Game of Thrones, this was actually his first fantasy novel and is a marked departure from his earlier science fiction books.
Instead of spanning continents, Fevre Dreams is contained in one small stretch of river in the deep south of America. The descriptions of the setting are, however, every bit as evocative as "the Wall" and "Kings Landing": you can feel and breathe the heat, humidity and closeness.
Instead of competing dynasties, the novel is focused on two men, closely following their dreams and troubles over the years and into old age.
And instead of a wide cast of high profile lords, ladies and warriors, the lead character is an ordinary working man. His emotions are so vividly described that it's impossible not to feel every high and low along with him.
This is a brilliant and original book, far more thought provoking than most fantasy genre novels that I have read.
Instead of spanning continents, Fevre Dreams is contained in one small stretch of river in the deep south of America. The descriptions of the setting are, however, every bit as evocative as "the Wall" and "Kings Landing": you can feel and breathe the heat, humidity and closeness.
Instead of competing dynasties, the novel is focused on two men, closely following their dreams and troubles over the years and into old age.
And instead of a wide cast of high profile lords, ladies and warriors, the lead character is an ordinary working man. His emotions are so vividly described that it's impossible not to feel every high and low along with him.
This is a brilliant and original book, far more thought provoking than most fantasy genre novels that I have read.
on 11 March 2017
great comic adaptation of a classic novel
TOP 500 REVIEWERon 3 March 2016
This is a compelling and thrilling read, filled with characters that, no matter how unlikely, you'll form some sort of connection with, whether it's compassion, hatred or morbid curiosity.
The writing is rich and detailed, taking you back into the 1800s and a life on the Mississippi River, where through Martin's excellent storytelling skills you can almost see the glorious and vibrant steamers in your mind's eye, as they competing for trade and custom, and the title of fastest steamboat, among of those who travel and work the waterways.
Underpinning it all is a dark, but bountiful plot that brings normal and paranormal together in a sinister and macabre story that will have you reading well into the small hours to reach the final outcome.
The writing is rich and detailed, taking you back into the 1800s and a life on the Mississippi River, where through Martin's excellent storytelling skills you can almost see the glorious and vibrant steamers in your mind's eye, as they competing for trade and custom, and the title of fastest steamboat, among of those who travel and work the waterways.
Underpinning it all is a dark, but bountiful plot that brings normal and paranormal together in a sinister and macabre story that will have you reading well into the small hours to reach the final outcome.
on 30 November 2011
I first read Fevre Dream in the early eighties and on a recent quest to re-acquire the top ten paperbacks of my youth this novel was top of my list.
When you consider the hype for Twilight and Vampire Diaries and what they have done to change the modern perception of vampires, I must say they have borrowed a lot from this novel. The author, more known for his Game of Thrones adventures delivers a completely fresh take on the vampire genre, with a breathtaking story of friendship, horror, mystery and paddle steamers.
So, we have Abner Marsh; fat, ugly, riverboat captain who has built the finest, fastest steamship to grace the Mississippi. He enters into partnership with Joshua York, a strange pale man but with a barrowload of money that Abner needs to get the steamship afloat.
The Fevre Dream carries cargo for a while, but rumours start about Joshua - he sleeps all day, doesn't eat and has strange companions. Abner has his suspicions, but is not sure what to do - Joshua has become a friend and he still needs the finances.
When Damon Julian is invited into the fold, Abner comes to realise what is good and what is bad, and what is pure evil. The friendship stutters, rekindles, and the emotions run high all through the story.
Set in the 1850s, this is a tale which evokes so much of the time, the hardships and the prejudices. Much can be read into the setting - the Mississippi runs like a huge artery through the Southern states - and the characters are superbly drawn. I thoroughly recommend this novel to everyone, not just horror, mystery and supernatural aficionados.
When you consider the hype for Twilight and Vampire Diaries and what they have done to change the modern perception of vampires, I must say they have borrowed a lot from this novel. The author, more known for his Game of Thrones adventures delivers a completely fresh take on the vampire genre, with a breathtaking story of friendship, horror, mystery and paddle steamers.
So, we have Abner Marsh; fat, ugly, riverboat captain who has built the finest, fastest steamship to grace the Mississippi. He enters into partnership with Joshua York, a strange pale man but with a barrowload of money that Abner needs to get the steamship afloat.
The Fevre Dream carries cargo for a while, but rumours start about Joshua - he sleeps all day, doesn't eat and has strange companions. Abner has his suspicions, but is not sure what to do - Joshua has become a friend and he still needs the finances.
When Damon Julian is invited into the fold, Abner comes to realise what is good and what is bad, and what is pure evil. The friendship stutters, rekindles, and the emotions run high all through the story.
Set in the 1850s, this is a tale which evokes so much of the time, the hardships and the prejudices. Much can be read into the setting - the Mississippi runs like a huge artery through the Southern states - and the characters are superbly drawn. I thoroughly recommend this novel to everyone, not just horror, mystery and supernatural aficionados.
on 11 April 2001
There are several traps that a vampire novel can fall into 1) Villain more interesting than hero 2) Pretension 3) Laughable historical accuracy With Fevre Dream, George Martin avoids these pitfalls with aplomb. His characters, hoary Abner Marsh and civilised Joshua York being the main ones, are rounded and well written. His vampire model is fairly convincing and the plot weaves through the book like the Mississippi through the countryside. Martin's writing technique is excellent, and his grasp of human (and non-human) nature always breaths life into his books. Fevre Dream is no exception.
It seems in some ways a pity that Martin hasn't restricted himself to one genre - instead skipping from Space Opera (Tuf Voyaging) to Horror (Fevre Dream) to High Fantasy (Game of Thrones). Had he done so, he would undoubtedly be one of the biggest names in that field. In other ways, for those of us with eclectic tastes, it's a blessing. He remains (perhaps less so with the new 'Song of Ice and Fire' series) a cult figure. Well worth seeking out.
It seems in some ways a pity that Martin hasn't restricted himself to one genre - instead skipping from Space Opera (Tuf Voyaging) to Horror (Fevre Dream) to High Fantasy (Game of Thrones). Had he done so, he would undoubtedly be one of the biggest names in that field. In other ways, for those of us with eclectic tastes, it's a blessing. He remains (perhaps less so with the new 'Song of Ice and Fire' series) a cult figure. Well worth seeking out.
on 21 January 2007
No longer re-animated corpses possessed by demons, but a race of beings in their own right. Vampires live for centuries though they cannot survive for long in the sunlight; they are stronger and faster than humans; they possess the power to mesmerize humans into doing their bidding; and once a month, the "red thirst" comes on them, driving them to drink human blood.
One of the most powerful of these "vampires" has just become Abner Marsh's new partner. His name is Joshua York, and he needs transportation along the Mississippi (and a place to hide from the sun) so that he can search for others of his people who have fled the Old World for the New. Joshua believes he can save them: he has invented a drink that suppresses the "red thirst" thus making it possible for the "People of the Night" to live alongside humans for the first time.
But Joshua is about to find out that not all his people want to be saved. Some of them are, in fact, rather enjoying their existence as unkillable blood-drinking demons - notably the ancient, powerful bloodmaster Damon Julian, who may yet bring all Joshuas dreams for his people to a bloody end.
I've always loved vampire stories, and this one is exceptional. Comparisons with Anne Rice are, given the setting, inevitable. The rotting Louisiana swamps are a marvellous setting for any horror story. Martin conjurs up the same humid atmosphere of decay in the swamps and slums of New Orleans, contrasting it with the glittering beauty of the richer parts of the city - and, of course, the steamboats themselves - that Rice describes so vivdly; but he makes his protagonists a lot more interesting. No self-obsessed Lestat here, searching for his own personal redemption. (Or maybe not. You can never be quite sure with Lestat, can you? Anyway. I digress.)
Joshua is trying to save his entire race, searching for a way for them to live with humans before they die out - or are destroyed. Martin has created a whole mythology for the People of the Night, making them the hunted not the hunters, giving them a depth and character that far surpasses any other vampires in books or on screen. Along with some serious horror, lots of blood and the odd Byron quotation, this book becomes a story you're not likely to forget. I for one want don't want to.
One of the most powerful of these "vampires" has just become Abner Marsh's new partner. His name is Joshua York, and he needs transportation along the Mississippi (and a place to hide from the sun) so that he can search for others of his people who have fled the Old World for the New. Joshua believes he can save them: he has invented a drink that suppresses the "red thirst" thus making it possible for the "People of the Night" to live alongside humans for the first time.
But Joshua is about to find out that not all his people want to be saved. Some of them are, in fact, rather enjoying their existence as unkillable blood-drinking demons - notably the ancient, powerful bloodmaster Damon Julian, who may yet bring all Joshuas dreams for his people to a bloody end.
I've always loved vampire stories, and this one is exceptional. Comparisons with Anne Rice are, given the setting, inevitable. The rotting Louisiana swamps are a marvellous setting for any horror story. Martin conjurs up the same humid atmosphere of decay in the swamps and slums of New Orleans, contrasting it with the glittering beauty of the richer parts of the city - and, of course, the steamboats themselves - that Rice describes so vivdly; but he makes his protagonists a lot more interesting. No self-obsessed Lestat here, searching for his own personal redemption. (Or maybe not. You can never be quite sure with Lestat, can you? Anyway. I digress.)
Joshua is trying to save his entire race, searching for a way for them to live with humans before they die out - or are destroyed. Martin has created a whole mythology for the People of the Night, making them the hunted not the hunters, giving them a depth and character that far surpasses any other vampires in books or on screen. Along with some serious horror, lots of blood and the odd Byron quotation, this book becomes a story you're not likely to forget. I for one want don't want to.
