Book Review – Fevre Dream

Goodness knows how, with all the chest infections, conjunctivitis, man flu and scarlet fever that’s made it’s way around the household, but I have managed to read a book – perhaps aptly titled, given the circumstances!

Fevre Dream, written by George R.R. Martin (of recent Game of Thrones fame) was written in 1982, so it is by no means a new read. Fevre Dream is not however, as the title might suggest, about fever – but an interesting look at the world of vampires in the 1800’s.

Those who may now be groaning at the thought of ‘another vampire book’ following the somewhat recent saturation of that market on the back of Twilight success can cease with the noise right now – because this is no ordinary vampire tale. Set in 1850’s Mississippi, its a cross between sci-fi and horror that is as much about the Mississippi River steamboats as it is about vampirism. Abner Marsh, the down-of-luck captain of a steamboat company is propositioned by Joshua York – a gentleman with rather strange proclivities who makes him an offer he finds hard to refuse in return for co-captaincy, and the privacy that living aboard a steamboat provides.

Soon, however, Abner is unavoidably drawn into his co-captain’s secrets and has to battle to keep his company, and his life.

Naturally, the book contains a classic tale of good against evil, but set against the backdrop of plantations, slavery and steamboats as well as an excellent portrayal of 1850’s trading and river life in the face of the Civil War changes it is a read that draws you in and you won’t want to put it down until you’ve reached it’s conclusion.