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lizzycatslibrary's review against another edition
1.0
I cant finish this one either. perhaps another time...
kate_andpolly's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay. Interesting but I wish this story came full circle..is there anyone else out there wondering what became of the guy in the store that was given these documents and told to write the story?
I like vampire books that make me believe (i.e. Salem's Lot) this didn't make me do that, however it was an interesting take on some us history and folklore.
I like vampire books that make me believe (i.e. Salem's Lot) this didn't make me do that, however it was an interesting take on some us history and folklore.
belginiangirl's review against another edition
4.0
Abraham Lincoln's mother was killed when he was a child by a vampire. Since then, he devoted his life to killing them. Along the way, he discovers a conspiracy that incolves the South and the slaves.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The blending of fact and fiction was quite enjoyable and the whole thing actually seemed plausible.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The blending of fact and fiction was quite enjoyable and the whole thing actually seemed plausible.
kristig71's review against another edition
2.0
Loved this book. Accurate history mixed with fiction was brilliant.
jenmcgee's review against another edition
5.0
This is a semi-parodic take on a now-rare genre: the Lincoln hagiography. Abraham Lincoln is one of the most-written-about Americans in history (actually, I believe quantifiably the most-written-about), and many of his biographies, especially in the early 20th century, have a distinctly worshipful tone. This book echoes the tone of those biographies, with one crucial addition--what if, unknown to modern people, Lincoln actually was a hunter of vampires?
It sounds silly at first blush, but as the author did with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, he pulls it off by clearly admiring Lincoln and loving vampires, and enjoying putting the two together. Vampirism here becomes a metaphor for slavery (the idea is that vampires have discovered that the American south is a paradise for their kind, where you can buy food freely with no repercussions). The metaphor works well and adds a fresh layer of horror to well-worn tropes about Lincoln and the civil war.
I found it difficult to tell which material was imaginary and which was taken from actual Lincoln biographies (I often had to go check online and was surprised to find how much of it was accurate), although the "newly-found" Lincoln diaries are a bit marred by a rather modern style of writing that doesn't always sound like something a Victorian gentleman would write (dramatic sentence fragments, etc.) All in all, a fun, dramatic, and interesting read.
It sounds silly at first blush, but as the author did with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, he pulls it off by clearly admiring Lincoln and loving vampires, and enjoying putting the two together. Vampirism here becomes a metaphor for slavery (the idea is that vampires have discovered that the American south is a paradise for their kind, where you can buy food freely with no repercussions). The metaphor works well and adds a fresh layer of horror to well-worn tropes about Lincoln and the civil war.
I found it difficult to tell which material was imaginary and which was taken from actual Lincoln biographies (I often had to go check online and was surprised to find how much of it was accurate), although the "newly-found" Lincoln diaries are a bit marred by a rather modern style of writing that doesn't always sound like something a Victorian gentleman would write (dramatic sentence fragments, etc.) All in all, a fun, dramatic, and interesting read.
kat_a_strophe's review against another edition
4.0
This was interesting. Written in journal and essay-like format, this firsthand look at an alternate history through Lincoln's eyes was invigorating and well portrayed. Grahame has a way with horror and this time he went above and beyond. Explicitly detailed and so attuned to a voice we can imagine so clearly. Grahame accomplished so much.
The con, for me, was how drawn out it felt. I found myself falling asleep or rereading a sentence for the umpteenth time. Remarkable, but a struggle.
Full Review:
https://thescarletreaderreviews.wordpress.com/2021/11/28/four-score-and-several-slain-vampires-ago-abraham-lincoln-vampire-hunter-a-book-review/
The con, for me, was how drawn out it felt. I found myself falling asleep or rereading a sentence for the umpteenth time. Remarkable, but a struggle.
Full Review:
https://thescarletreaderreviews.wordpress.com/2021/11/28/four-score-and-several-slain-vampires-ago-abraham-lincoln-vampire-hunter-a-book-review/
robinshtulman's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't want this to be a gory, gruesome horror story. BUT I didn't expect that it would be such a snoooooozer. I'll give it 30 more pages.
Around page 50 it picks up. I'll finish.
The premise of this book is hilarious. And so fascinating. Vampires flock to North America beginning in the 1600s, fleeing persecution in Europe. For a while, their murderous ways stay relatively undetected, b/c so many people are dying all the time, anyway. Over time, vampires become major colluders in the spread of black slavery in America &, ultimately, are responsible for the Civil War.
Two things Grahame- Smith does unbelievably well: 1) pen journal entries for Abraham Lincoln, some of which I could have sworn were legit (but I cannot find them replicated anywhere not related to this book); and 2) use tweaked historical photographs to make his book seem true. (These elements save it from the 'astonishingly-boring' shelf.)
Unfortunately, the story never gets off the ground. There's no real drama or thrill here. I thought it might at least be super-spoofy and funny but, no. Another day, another vampire, ho hum, election, civil war, assassination, bye.
Around page 50 it picks up. I'll finish.
The premise of this book is hilarious. And so fascinating. Vampires flock to North America beginning in the 1600s, fleeing persecution in Europe. For a while, their murderous ways stay relatively undetected, b/c so many people are dying all the time, anyway. Over time, vampires become major colluders in the spread of black slavery in America &, ultimately, are responsible for the Civil War.
Two things Grahame- Smith does unbelievably well: 1) pen journal entries for Abraham Lincoln, some of which I could have sworn were legit (but I cannot find them replicated anywhere not related to this book); and 2) use tweaked historical photographs to make his book seem true. (These elements save it from the 'astonishingly-boring' shelf.)
Unfortunately, the story never gets off the ground. There's no real drama or thrill here. I thought it might at least be super-spoofy and funny but, no. Another day, another vampire, ho hum, election, civil war, assassination, bye.
tony_gibbons's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly well-written and a really engaging story.
mudder17's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up
So this was a very different book from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which I loved. I think I was expecting something similar, but this one was definitely more serious and more like an alternate history book. That's not to say that there weren't moments of humor--there definitely were. And honestly, picturing Abraham Lincoln as a badass vampire hunter wielding an ax is pretty hilarious and awesome at the same time. But as I said, it was definitely more of a history book than it was a fictional story (even though yes, this was totally made up). Once I made that adjustment, I enjoyed it a lot more and I am very impressed by all the research the author had to do to create an authentic Abraham Lincoln who just happened to be a vampire hunter. He incorporated a lot of Lincoln's tough childhood as well as his political career. And of course, he incorporated the details of his death, although obviously some details were changed and I liked what ended up happening with John Wilkes Booth. I enjoyed the reading of this book and I think that now that I know what to expect, I might read it again in the future. It was definitely an interesting way to view Lincoln, the civil war, and even the lost colony of Roanoke. If you're a fan of history or of Abraham Lincoln, and you enjoy tales of vampires, well, this is a very interesting combo of the two and definitely has a unique place in books.
So this was a very different book from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which I loved. I think I was expecting something similar, but this one was definitely more serious and more like an alternate history book. That's not to say that there weren't moments of humor--there definitely were. And honestly, picturing Abraham Lincoln as a badass vampire hunter wielding an ax is pretty hilarious and awesome at the same time. But as I said, it was definitely more of a history book than it was a fictional story (even though yes, this was totally made up). Once I made that adjustment, I enjoyed it a lot more and I am very impressed by all the research the author had to do to create an authentic Abraham Lincoln who just happened to be a vampire hunter. He incorporated a lot of Lincoln's tough childhood as well as his political career. And of course, he incorporated the details of his death, although obviously some details were changed and I liked what ended up happening with John Wilkes Booth. I enjoyed the reading of this book and I think that now that I know what to expect, I might read it again in the future. It was definitely an interesting way to view Lincoln, the civil war, and even the lost colony of Roanoke. If you're a fan of history or of Abraham Lincoln, and you enjoy tales of vampires, well, this is a very interesting combo of the two and definitely has a unique place in books.