Fevre Dream

To enjoy this book, there are several aspects that I truly believe one must possess.

Firstly, a profound love for steamboats is essential. Goddamn, this book elaborates on steamboats incessantly. The protagonist, Abner Marsh, is a steamboat captain with an obsessive passion for them. As is characteristic of Martin's writing when he delves deeply into a subject, every minuscule detail of the boat is described. Regrettably, this leaves the truly interesting parts, mainly those concerning the pasts of his vampire characters, merely touched upon and lacking depth. Valerie, in particular, is shortchanged. All we know about her is that she is extremely beautiful and, unsurprisingly, in love with one of the other characters. Huzzah. Despite establishing the framework for what could have been an intriguing cast of characters, he leaves many of them underdeveloped and one-dimensional. This is especially a pity if you happen to read "A Song of Ice and Fire" before this book and are aware of his potential for better.

Secondly, one must have absolutely no inclination to be offended by the word "nigger". Everyone in this book, except for the vampires, uses this term to refer to their slaves. Yes, it's set in the 1870s, so there is a certain degree of realism. However, it becomes tiresome around the tenth or so time someone goes on a nonsensical rant of "nigger-this-nigger-that". And of course, all the people of color in this book speak like stereotypical Civil-War Deep South Black People, complete with "Yessuh/Nossuh" and an abundance of apostrophes that make your eyes dizzy from constantly moving up and down the page.

Thirdly, there should be no offense taken at racism whatsoever. It is used so frequently as an excuse to brutalize black people that if such things upset you, it's best to step back. (Yes, we understand the historical realism, but if you're truly offended by that kind of mindset, it's not a good idea to read this book.)

Finally, patience is crucial. It took me an extremely long time to finish this book. The intervals between the remotely interesting parts that I raced through were far too long. Even when I finally reached the climactic moment of the novel, it left me thoroughly underwhelmed. Perhaps this is because by that point, I no longer really cared about any of the characters or what happened, as it had been so long since any meaningful characterization had occurred outside of "here is the enemy" and "here are the good guys".

At first, this book seemed like an interesting read from an author I genuinely enjoy. I picked it up because there aren't many English-language books to choose from, and I actually quite like vampire stories that avoid romanticizing vampires to the point where they're just average people with inconvenient powers. However, this book was less about characters and more of an underdeveloped Moby Dick scenario with steamboats. So many steamboats.

Re-read finished on 1.24.13.

This book firmly cements its place as one of my all-time favorite novels.

The concept of vampires on a steamship in the 1850s, traversing the mighty Mississippi River, is truly captivating. It's not just a great premise; Mr. Martin masterfully follows through and delivers an incredibly engaging story to support it.

The vivid descriptions of the steamship, the passengers, and the eerie presence of the vampires draw the reader in and keep them on the edge of their seats.

The characters are well-developed, with their own motives and personalities, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of vampire literature and anyone looking for a thrilling and unique story.

Highly recommended!

I almost gave up vampire fiction after reading Twilight. Stephenie Meyer seemed to write the novel just to appeal to a certain group, without any real understanding or respect for the classic vampire fiction of the past century. Sadly, the Twilight saga was extremely commercially successful and led to a flood of imitators, weak and wishy-washy vampire books, and the entire “paranormal romance” subgenre (￢_￢;). I'm not sure if good “proper” vampire fiction is still being written these days, but the great ones from the past are still around and are definitely worth checking out if you're a horror fan. From Bram Stoker’s Dracula to King’s Salem’s Lot, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, Richard Matheson's I Am Legend and several others. This book, Fevre Dream, is also among the greats.

George R.R. Martin is, of course, most famous for Game of Thrones (“A Song of Ice and Fire” series). But before that huge success, he had written several excellent sci-fi stories and novels. Fevre Dream was published in 1982. I read it sometime in the 80s and it has stayed with me ever since. The story is set in 1857 when steamboats ruled trade on the Mississippi River. Captain Abner Marsh forms a partnership with a mysterious stranger named Joshua York, who offers to build the captain’s dream boat and co-own it as a business partner. It turns out that York is a vampire who is also something of a visionary or even a messiah among his kind.

His life mission is to redeem the vampire race and bring about peaceful co-existence with mankind, using a steamboat as his preferred long-distance transportation to carry out his plans. But it's not an easy task because humans are the basic food source for vampires and are often referred to as “cattle” among them. Worse still, there is a master vampire called Damon Julian who lives on a plantation with his human and vampire underlings in New Orleans. Julian is a traditionalist and sees vampires as the master race and humans as cattle. When the two powerful vamps meet, a very bloody struggle for supremacy begins.

All this and there's also a lot of steamboating action! Fevre Dream is a really gripping and thrilling read, especially in the second half of the book where you just can't put it down. The type of vampirism presented here is what I call “sci-fi vampires”, similar to what you find in Octavia Butler’s Fledgling and Richard Matheson’s classic I Am Legend. In this book, vampires are just a different species from humans. You can't convert from one to the other, and garlic, crucifixes, holy water, etc. have no effect on them. Sunlight is still deadly to them, though.

Besides being a great horror thriller, Fevre Dream is also partly a slave narrative, showing how slaves are treated cruelly by both humans and vampires. The relationship between the human and vampire races is also an allegory for slavery and exploitation. The main characters are very well-developed, vivid, and unforgettable. Interestingly, both the good and the evil vampire have a human sidekick to help with daytime practical affairs and business. Martin makes an interesting contrast between a friendly partnership and a master and servant relationship based on deception and false promises.

The prose style is based on the point of view of the human sidekicks from both the good and the evil side. So it's mostly written in a simple, colloquial style. The unlikely friendship between Captain March and Joshua York is quite touching and forms the moral foundation of the whole book. The climax is really spectacular and unforgettable.

If you're in the mood for some fast-paced horror and haven't been put off vampire fiction by Twilight, this book is highly recommended.

Fevre Dream is a captivating novel that masterfully combines historical fiction and mythology to craft a unique vampire story that stands out from the rest. The protagonist, Abner Marsh, a famous steamboat captain, is approached by Joshua York, who requests Marsh's assistance in building the perfect steamboat. Naturally, Marsh agrees, as his ambition is to outperform the largest and finest steamboats on the river. However, his plans are thwarted when he discovers that York has his own motives, which are intertwined with his goals for his people, as he is a vampire.

The plot is truly engrossing, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat with a series of questions and anticipation for what lies ahead. The setting, mainly on the steamboat, is both fascinating and adds an element of historical authenticity to the story. While some parts of the novel may seem a bit weak, with plans that are clearly flawed and unlikely to succeed, and towards the end, the repetition of mistakes can become a bit tiresome.

Most of the characters are well-developed, with Marsh being a humorous and entertaining figure, and York being an intriguing and mysterious one. The villain, however, is a bit overdone, lacking a clear motivation for his actions and quickly becoming predictable.

Overall, the story is gripping, and the writing is of a high standard. Although I haven't read many vampire novels, this one is definitely different from what I've seen in movies and read in other books. Fevre Dream is definitely worth a read for fans of horror or the paranormal.

Yet another interesting spin on the Vampire mythos, Fevre Dream is a delightfully atmospheric historical horror-drama. It skirts dangerously close to the boundary between Horror and Urban Fantasy, but it still manages to stir up some legitimate scares. This is George R.R. Martin, after all, and one or two of the more disturbing scenes will likely echo with you for an uncomfortable space of time.

That night he dreamt. In his dreams he was dark and graceful, elegant and predatory. It was always night in his dreams, and he roamed the streets of New Orleans beneath a full, pale moon.

That said, it isn’t a scare-a-minute story this. There’s a lot of build up here. The characters are colourful and well presented, but there isn’t much in the sense of progression. You’ll find yourself more than a little frustrated when the protagonists fail to follow through on obvious solutions and when, a 100 pages or so later, the status quo is exactly the same. In fact, fully half the book consists of what can only be described as an impasse… or stalemate.

Fortunately, this isn’t an oversight on the author’s part. The frustration Martin generates with his story is integral to the plot, but it does make for some uneasy reading. There are also some parallels drawn between slavery and the Vampire “culture” (for lack of a better word). If this doesn’t make sense, you need to read the book.

The title of the book, which also happens to be the name of a Steam Boat featuring prominently in the story, is rather apt. The story has a feverish quality to it, as if everything is being filtered through your drug of choice. It’s good stuff, but it straddles a precarious line between Horror, History and Fantasy. I’m not sure whether this will appeal to everyone, but I will definitely recommend it.

I read the Fantasy Masterworks edition.

When he woke from the dream, he was hot and fevered, and his sheets were wet.

4 Stars
Read as part of the must-read agreement with my wife

In Fevre Dream, Martin creates a vivid and immersive world that combines the allure of the Vampire myth with the rich history of the American South. The detailed descriptions of New Orleans and the steamboat Fevre Dream add a sense of authenticity to the story. The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, each with their own motives and desires. The exploration of the themes of slavery and power adds depth and substance to the narrative. While the slow pace and lack of progression may frustrate some readers, it is essential to the overall structure and impact of the story.

The dream sequences are particularly effective in营造 a sense of mystery and foreboding. The vivid imagery and the use of sensory details make the reader feel as if they are experiencing the dreams along with the protagonist. The red thirst that plagues the Vampires is a powerful and disturbing concept that adds to the horror element of the story.

Overall, Fevre Dream is a unique and engaging read that will appeal to fans of horror, history, and fantasy. It may not be for everyone, but for those who are willing to invest the time and effort, it offers a rewarding and thought-provoking experience.

“Good and evil are silly lies, nonsense put forth to plague honest sensible men.” Technology is constantly advancing, but in the process, some aspects of life and glory are bound to be lost.
Fevre Dream is a captivating and multi-layered story that straddles the line between historical drama, fantasy, and horror. It leans more towards urban fantasy with its vampires emerging from the fog in the modern world. The historical setting enhances the atmosphere of the old steamboats and their former glories. Although not overtly horror, there are spine-tingling and quietly disturbing scenes that add to the overall sense of atmospheric misery. It's a wonderful blend of genres that defies strict categorization.
I was completely smitten with the hero of the book, Captain Abner Marsh, a man who lived and breathed for his life on the river. I can't quite put my finger on why he was so enchanting. Maybe it was his unwavering enthusiasm and drive to pursue his dreams. He was, however, far from perfect. He was crass, crude, and had a short temper. His appearance was often described as unattractive, and it was clear that he had long given up any hopes of attracting a partner and living a married life. Instead, he dedicated himself to the river and never looked back.
In an end-of-year reading survey, one of the questions was to name the favorite characters discovered in 2015. Augustus from Lonesome Dove was one, and Abner Marsh from Fevre Dream was the other.
The steamboats themselves become characters in their own right. I had never given them much thought before, but this book makes me imagine the joy that must have accompanied them in the past. They were brought to life by the men who spent their lives building, dreaming, operating, and racing these vessels.
George R.R. Martin's writing style is truly charming in this haunting tale. His way with words is as captivating as the magic he evokes. The slower, more sedate pace doesn't detract from the story; in fact, it allows the reader to fully immerse themselves in the beautiful language, rich characters, and enchanting plot.
This isn't your typical vampire story. There are no sparkly vampires here, and in fact, the vampires in this book are quite different from what we're used to. But that's okay because Martin wouldn't give us the same old, overdone material. Some people prefer the cruel, demented, and soulless vampires of Dracula lore, but this is a refreshing and non-romantic look at a different kind of vampire. I much prefer three-dimensional characters over flat, one-dimensional ones, and Joshua York fits the bill perfectly. And just to keep things interesting, there's also an insane and twisted enemy for him to contend with.
The ending is both sad and inevitable, leaving me with a bittersweet feeling. The sense of nostalgia and the satisfying wrap-up are in line with the tone of the book. Abner starts as a man who has lost his world when his company fails, but he gets a second chance at life and takes it. However, as we all know, good things don't last forever.
You might think that a book of this length, set mainly on a boat, would have dull moments, but that's not the case at all. I was as enthralled by the book as the men who sailed these boats were by the river. There was a dreamy quality to the reading experience; I could almost smell and picture those foggy nights and the moonlight rides that Martin describes. It's truly stunning stuff, and the feeling comes back to me as I recall the story.
I highly recommend Fevre Dream as a unique adventure into the mind of a fantasy legend.

Abner March and George R.R Martin bear a strange resemblance. Both are overweight, sport long beards, and don captain's hats. It's unclear who inspired whom. Maybe Martin based a character on himself, or perhaps he liked the look so much he adopted it. Either way, it's a bit odd.

The story follows Abner Marsh, a steamboat captain longing for a magnificent vessel but lacking funds. Joshua York, a wealthy man with a nocturnal lifestyle, needs a boat but lacks the skills. They form a mutually beneficial friendship. Abner gets his boat, and Joshua gets a hideout.

However, Joshua has a dark secret - he's a vampire. But he's not your typical bloodsucking maniac. He's strong, intense, open, and capable. He's found a way to satisfy his thirst without harming others. When other vampires start causing trouble on Abner's boat, their dreams are shattered.

The antagonist, Damien Julien, is an ancient vampire with a different ethos. He loves blood and doesn't care who he hurts to get it. But he has no real reason for his actions. He's a typical vampire, but fundamentally flawed. He could have been a more effective opponent if he had a dark motive.

Overall, I give the book three stars. Joshua and Abner are well-rounded characters, but the final conflicts are a bit flat. The story had the potential to be a battle of polar opposites, but fell short.

I believe all authors have a certain piece of work that sadly doesn't get its due credit. For George R.R. Martin, that book would most probably be Fevre Dream.

I personally enjoyed this novel. Even though I was preoccupied with a Transition Camp for medical school, I managed to finish it during my 2-night stay at that camp. The book was quite fast-paced, and there are a few parts in the plot which I think could've been longer, but it all worked out quite nicely.

Many would claim Fevre Dream was a feeble attempt by Martin to reinterpret the vampire novel. Just as the Children of the Forest was his reinterpretation of elves, and the Others was a reinterpretation of frost/ice Sidhe from A Song of Ice and Fire. However, just like those, I think the master of modern fantasy did his reinterpretation quite well.

I find the book highly underrated. Many critics and reviewers gave it relatively low ratings, most probably because they were expecting something similar to A Song of Ice and Fire. But I believe good writers never tell two different tales in the same way. The voice of Fevre Dream is definitely not that of A Song of Ice and Fire. It is told in single-setting accounts rather than in separate point-of-views.

Others may have disliked the book because of its theme and/or genre. Vampire lore has been "done to death" by movies and perhaps even "spoiled to the core" by books like Twilight. But that's what makes Martin a genius. He takes something overused and repackages it in a way readers can enjoy again. Dragons, knights, and mysterious alien fauna have been mined to depletion, but he repackages them nicely in his works.

Though the genre and voice may seem un-Martin-like to those used to Westeros, the tone is very George R.R. Martin. I see no reason why Fevre Dream should be like A Song of Ice and Fire. Taking it as a book on its own, I see no problem with it being a vampire novel. Just don't recall Twilight events and see it as a reinterpretation like Dracula or Nosferatu. Subtract the unfamiliar or vampire factors, and you have a really good book.

The book follows Abner Marsh, a struggling riverboat captain who takes in Joshua York as a new business partner. York's offer is too good to refuse, but it doesn't take long for Marsh to realize his dream has turned into a fantastic nightmare.

Whether you're a George R.R. Martin fan or not, a vampire fan or not, Fevre Dream is a delightful read. It's unique yet familiar in genre, and a must-have for those into modern fantasy, historical fiction, or paranormal creature novels.