Behind the Oval Portrait

A Vampire Love Story

Mystery & Suspense, Thrillers
Cover of the book Behind the Oval Portrait by Michael Smolanoff, Xlibris US
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Michael Smolanoff ISBN: 9781453539651
Publisher: Xlibris US Publication: July 27, 2010
Imprint: Xlibris US Language: English
Author: Michael Smolanoff
ISBN: 9781453539651
Publisher: Xlibris US
Publication: July 27, 2010
Imprint: Xlibris US
Language: English

This novel draws from a wide variety of source material. In his scenes of seduction, the vampire Plutarch quotes verses from the French, Italian and German love songs of the Renaissance. The Latin verses quoted are taken from poems such as those that were popular among the upper classes of the mid-seventeenth century. Edgar Allan Poes The Oval Portrait is referred to in several instances; the text thereof has been distilled somewhat but the language has not been altered. The erotic poetry of Paul Verlaine is also quoted, as are Anton Chekhov and Salvador Dali. The character of Plutarch, as he appears in this novel, is to a large extent based on the character Des Esseintes from J.K. Huysmans brilliant and shocking nineteenth-century novel A Rebours (Against Nature). Indeed, his bizarre book served as the fundamental inspiration for this novel. Finally, as to the historical Plutarch, he of course did live, born in A.D. 45 at Chaeronea in Boeotia. One of the great classical scholars, Plutarch adopted the philosophical standpoint of a Platonist. His historical works were written later in lifeit is known that Shakespeare used Plutarchs writings as source material for his own work. As for his personal habits as portrayed in this piece, I have clearly taken many liberties.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This novel draws from a wide variety of source material. In his scenes of seduction, the vampire Plutarch quotes verses from the French, Italian and German love songs of the Renaissance. The Latin verses quoted are taken from poems such as those that were popular among the upper classes of the mid-seventeenth century. Edgar Allan Poes The Oval Portrait is referred to in several instances; the text thereof has been distilled somewhat but the language has not been altered. The erotic poetry of Paul Verlaine is also quoted, as are Anton Chekhov and Salvador Dali. The character of Plutarch, as he appears in this novel, is to a large extent based on the character Des Esseintes from J.K. Huysmans brilliant and shocking nineteenth-century novel A Rebours (Against Nature). Indeed, his bizarre book served as the fundamental inspiration for this novel. Finally, as to the historical Plutarch, he of course did live, born in A.D. 45 at Chaeronea in Boeotia. One of the great classical scholars, Plutarch adopted the philosophical standpoint of a Platonist. His historical works were written later in lifeit is known that Shakespeare used Plutarchs writings as source material for his own work. As for his personal habits as portrayed in this piece, I have clearly taken many liberties.

More books from Xlibris US

Cover of the book A Book Within a Book by Michael Smolanoff
Cover of the book Quest of the May’S Rose by Michael Smolanoff
Cover of the book Going out of Bounds by Michael Smolanoff
Cover of the book November 8Th by Michael Smolanoff
Cover of the book Deciding to Live Sober in My Alcoholic World by Michael Smolanoff
Cover of the book Futility Ending in Disaster by Michael Smolanoff
Cover of the book Rose Star Runners by Michael Smolanoff
Cover of the book Soul Reflections by Michael Smolanoff
Cover of the book Beautiful Words of Life by Michael Smolanoff
Cover of the book Out of the Shuffle by Michael Smolanoff
Cover of the book The Seer by Michael Smolanoff
Cover of the book Habriah by Michael Smolanoff
Cover of the book Love and Death by Michael Smolanoff
Cover of the book My Talks with God by Michael Smolanoff
Cover of the book Funny You Should Ask by Michael Smolanoff
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy