Castleton Associate Professor of English, Louis Palmer, recently released his first book in February 2013. Titled Vampires in the New World, the novel demonstrates how cultural, scientific and ideological trends are reflected through the ever-changing figure of the vampire.
The book takes readers on a chronological journey through history, analyzing American vampire-themed films and literature, such as Bram Stoker’s Dracula and more recent works such as Twilight and True Blood.
Through his research he was able to make distinct connections between the vampire image and the concerns of each era. “It was very interesting,” he said of his research and time spent working on the book. “I learned a lot of new things in the process.”
As the Gothic Area Chair for the Journal of Popular Culture, vampires and other mythical creatures have always interested Palmer and he plans to continue research on the topics in the future.
Though he has several previously published works, Vampires in the New World is his first book-length piece. “It was a lot of work,” said Palmer, adding that the book consumed most of his free time for the past two years but was well worth it.
Palmer, as well as Judy Meloy of the Education Department, presented at the Castleton Faculty Book Celebration in the Library Lounge on Monday, April 1.
Palmer discussed Vampires in the New World, while Meloy presented her recently published book Twenty-First Century Learning by Doing.
April 3, 2013