Mecum, Ryan. 2009. VAMPIRE HAIKU. Ohio: How Books. ISBN 9781600617720
2. Plot Summary
William Butten embarks on a journey to the New World on the Mayflower. He becomes enchanted with a beautiful woman during the voyage. "Like a siren song, each night she calls to me to her and I am in love" (5). Late one night she bites him and he is turned into a vampire. When they arrive in America his beautiful companions disappears. William is desperately in love with Katherine and starts searching for her. "Like hide-and-seek, all America inbounds, she is hard to find" (31).
3. Critical Analysis
The book of poetry is written in haiku and in the format of a journal. Haiku is the rhythm that brings Williams words to life. "Five syllables first, then followed by seven more, and then five again. I will document all my New World adventures into small poems" (2). Each word is carefully chosen by its sound and syllable to fit into the journal. "The syllable count for "vampire" is confusing. Two? Three? I'll guess two" (9). The language within the book matches the time periods that the character is living in and grows and changes with him and the new centuries. "Redcoats line the road. Patriots hide in the woods, and vampires above" (34). The entries in the journal share Williams emotions and create a visual image of the world around him. "She never came back, but by the way she bit me-I know it's true love" (31).
The pages of the book are yellowed and have black ink spots and smudges has though they have been written with a quill and ink. There is also drops of blood and pages with burn marks to make the journal more realistic. There are drawings and photographs to bring the poems to life. On one page William remarks, "One thing I despise as much as cross necklaces- turtleneck sweaters" includes a picture of a woman wearing a turtleneck sweater (79). The photographs that go with the haiku's are funny and sometimes disturbing. "Sometimes I hang out outside emergency rooms; get some blood work done" (88). Above this statement is a photograph of a man wearing a hooded jacket waiting outside of a emergency room door at the hospital. This illustrations gives the reader the creeps and makes the journal more realistic. The format of the journal makes it exciting and interesting to read.
4. Review Excerpts
"One of the best books of 2009. Not only does Mecum follow the traditional pattern of haiku poetry to the syllable (go ahead and count -- they're all there!), but his writing also conveys a very clear, narrative, logical story while adhering to this strict structure." -- Kelly Melcher, Fandomania
"A classic story is told through the eyes of a newly turned vampire in sweet haiku verse and every passage is as cool as they come... One haiku will make your belly jiggle with laughter, the next will make your skin shiver, and sometimes both occur at once." -- Mark L. Miller, Ain't It Cool News
5. Connections
Other book written in haiku about monsters:
Mecum, Ryan. DAWN OF ZOMBIE HAIKU. ISBN 9781440312861
Mecum, Ryan. WEREWOLF HAIKU. ISBN 9781440308260
Mecum, Ryan. ZOMBIE HAIKU: GOOD POETRY FOR YOUR...BRAINS. ISBN 9781600610707
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