I was drawn into a conversation a few months ago about vampires and the two categories that they often fall in to, which are either ‘The Dandy’ or ‘The Beast.’ The person I was having the discussion with seemed confused, so I explained it thusly:
The Dandy-type of vampire is one who may or may not have an accent, is extremely well-mannered (even if he is truly evil) and he is one whose only indicating feature is his fangs. He can often be found brooding, may have musical talent of some sort and has an air of nobility. Prime examples can be found in: “Interview with the Vampire,” “Twilight,” “Dracula,” and most vampiric tv shows like “Forever Knight,” and “True Blood.”
The Beast-type and my favorite (everyone else’s least it seems) is more animalistic, is less refined, probably won’t win any beauty contests but can occasionally be a gentle soul. Sometimes seen in packs or in lone status, the Beast type is very rarely the love interest in movies, but in some instances can be the noblest thing in a film. For prime examples, check out: “30 Days of Night,” “Blade 2,” “ Underworld 2,” “Dusk til Dawn,” and “Nosferatu.”
Now both types can be extended to cover not just vampires, but shifters, gargoyles, demons and other eccentric paranormal types, but for all intents and purposes paranormal erotica tends to focus more on the Dandy. . It’s easier to imagine oneself being swept away by someone who is hot on the outside, but a cousin to a zombie on the inside. I myself am currently reading a paranormal romance novel where the Vampire Alpha Dandy is the hottest, strongest thing since sliced Viking cheese and while it may seem like he has the narrative-prerequisite flaw, his only real flaw seems to be how he attracts attention. I am reading it and somewhat enjoying it, but it's like chocolate candy, good for a moment then gone too soon.
I remember reading “Phantom of the Opera” when I was a young girl and I also recall watching “Beauty and the Beast” starring Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman. Both kind of seemed to surpass the fluff of romance and hit upon something much more cerebral: the ability to love the mind more than the body. If the hero more resembled a bat rather than Brad Pitt, would the heroine/hero still be attracted to them? What does the choice to love a beast say about the heroine/hero…something deep and intellectual or something kinky and therapy-worthy? Is this something you would even want to read?
Chime in.
The Dandy-type of vampire is one who may or may not have an accent, is extremely well-mannered (even if he is truly evil) and he is one whose only indicating feature is his fangs. He can often be found brooding, may have musical talent of some sort and has an air of nobility. Prime examples can be found in: “Interview with the Vampire,” “Twilight,” “Dracula,” and most vampiric tv shows like “Forever Knight,” and “True Blood.”
The Beast-type and my favorite (everyone else’s least it seems) is more animalistic, is less refined, probably won’t win any beauty contests but can occasionally be a gentle soul. Sometimes seen in packs or in lone status, the Beast type is very rarely the love interest in movies, but in some instances can be the noblest thing in a film. For prime examples, check out: “30 Days of Night,” “Blade 2,” “ Underworld 2,” “Dusk til Dawn,” and “Nosferatu.”
Now both types can be extended to cover not just vampires, but shifters, gargoyles, demons and other eccentric paranormal types, but for all intents and purposes paranormal erotica tends to focus more on the Dandy. . It’s easier to imagine oneself being swept away by someone who is hot on the outside, but a cousin to a zombie on the inside. I myself am currently reading a paranormal romance novel where the Vampire Alpha Dandy is the hottest, strongest thing since sliced Viking cheese and while it may seem like he has the narrative-prerequisite flaw, his only real flaw seems to be how he attracts attention. I am reading it and somewhat enjoying it, but it's like chocolate candy, good for a moment then gone too soon.
I remember reading “Phantom of the Opera” when I was a young girl and I also recall watching “Beauty and the Beast” starring Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman. Both kind of seemed to surpass the fluff of romance and hit upon something much more cerebral: the ability to love the mind more than the body. If the hero more resembled a bat rather than Brad Pitt, would the heroine/hero still be attracted to them? What does the choice to love a beast say about the heroine/hero…something deep and intellectual or something kinky and therapy-worthy? Is this something you would even want to read?
Chime in.
