Mignola, Mike, and Christopher Golden. Baltimore, or, the Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire. I really did not know what to expect with this book; I saw it on the new book shelf at the library and remembered that it was on Carl's list of favorite books for 2007.The first chapter shifts back and forth between the Ardennes Forest, a bloody battleground in two World Wars (but apparently set in WWI) and the story of a tin soldier belonging to a young boy. I say apparently WWI because eventually some notable differences occur. The story of the tin soldier, while containing elements of the Hans Christian Andersen story, is also part of Sir Henry Baltimore's memories of childhood and the hallucinations resulting from a severe wound and a terrible supernatural event .
From the beginning, I was impressed with the writing and thought immediately of All Quiet on the Western Front. Then there was a drastic shift from the horrors of the war as Lord Baltimore confronts an even greater horror -- one that was beyond his imagination.
The story then shifts to several years later and an inn where three men meet: three men who have been summoned by Lord Baltimore to this time and place. Each of the men have known Baltimore, each has had a direct contact with evil, and each will join Baltimore in a terrible and crucial battle. Here the elements of Dracula, the classic vampire story begin to emerge. As with The Steadfast Tin Soldier, it is not an exact fit, but a careful lifting of certain components and an adapting of those components to the tale Mignola and Golden want to tell.
I've read three excellent modern versions of the vampire story based on Bram Stoker's novel: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, Renfield: Slave of Dracula by Barbara Hambly (recommended by Chris), and Baltimore by Mignola and Golden. Baltimore differs from the other two in several ways, but is ultimately the one with the greatest sense of malevolence. It leaves one gory battlefield in Ardennes and advances to another battlefield, one of the soul and the spirit, as a plague devastates the land. Allegorical and drawing on the Dracula/vampire legend, WWI and the flu epidemic of 1919, and Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tale, Mignola and Golden and have rendered a beautifully crafted, but chilling literary analogue complete with equally well-crafted and chilling illustrations.
Anyone interested in vampire stories should definitely add this to their list. Although, like Carl, I found the ending less than completely satisfactory, the book itself should be considered a must read for those who love Dracula, The Historian, and/or Renfield.
Fiction. Gothic horror. 2007. 285 pages.
What a story - it sounds quite what with the elements of war and vampire. I will try to remember this one for one of Carl's challenges. Sounds like it would fit in perfectly with either :)
ReplyDeleteThis has been on my wishlist every since I read Carl's review... thanks for reminding me of why I want to read it so much!
ReplyDeleteIliana - It is quite a story and one that lingers with you when you put it down. You're right, it would fit either of Carl's challenges.
ReplyDeleteNymeth -- It is a strange little novel, but definitely worth the time. I really liked the way the authors combined so many elements, including the absurdist/existential outlook and the smaller stories contained in the larger one.
The words "horror", "malevolence" and "gory" are not appealing to me, right now, but I enjoyed your review! I've missed reading your blog. :)
ReplyDeleteBookfool -- Given what you are having to deal with and the stress of being away from home so much, this may not be the book for you. I know that my emotional state often dictates what I need to read and what I definitely don't need to read.
ReplyDeleteHowever, when I see the words out of context, I must think again about what I meant. Horror -- intense fear and repugnance of evil, but the book also fits into the "horror" genre as easily as into the Gothic. Gory - the battlefield was gory, but that section was brief and presented in a way reminiscent of Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front-- more of a sober accounting of the event. There is a pervading sense of the malevolence of evil throughout. I think Mignola and Golden use that sense of malevolence skillfully and to great advantage, as these vampires are not the lovable, romantic vampires of recent fiction, but a threat to salvation.
Recently, Sam mentioned a novel about an individual with AD -- and I knew that I couldn't deal with that one yet. In fact, even reading his review went straight to my emotional center rather than to my intellect.
Take care of yourself!
This does sound interesting! I really like the cover too.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you enjoyed it every bit as much as I did and I'm glad. It is a captivating story that certainly has a dark and eerie feel to it. It is one I hope to read again soon as I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess that means I should read this because I loved Dracula and The Historian.
ReplyDeleteI may just have to give this one a try. I absolutely loved The Historian! It was a great book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes this genre.
ReplyDeleteLadytink -- I like the cover, too. Mike Mignola did the illustrations and they are appropriately dark.
ReplyDeleteCarl -- I did enjoy it! It really was a thoughtful, if chilling, version of the story.
Booklogged -- You should read Renfield, too. The four belong to a kind of canon of Dracula for me.
Lisa -- Very different from The Historian, but still an important addition to the genre.
What an interesting combination of plotlines. I am adding this one to my list! I've only read Dracula and The Historian, but I enjoyed them both.
ReplyDeleteDanielle -- I hope you enjoy it when you get around to it!
ReplyDeleteI loved The Historian and this one sounds like quite a different take on the vampire myth as well. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteLesley - It is a different take...but very good.
ReplyDeleteFinally got around to reading this - it was excellent! Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteJenny - Glad you enjoyed it...if that is the right term for this book. :O
ReplyDelete