The deluge of supernatural undead drivel that comprise the bulk of the vampire subgenre can sometimes obscure the few novels that raise the vampire from a peg for gothic fetishism and sadomasochistic fantasies, to a potent symbol used to illuminate both man and society. In the 5 interlocking chapters (or novellas) forming The Vampire Tapestry, Suzy McKee Charnas presents us with just such a marvel. The series of portraits focusing ever more closely on her vampiric protagonist allows Charnas to explore the nature of the predator and it’s relationship to it’s prey. In the process, predatorial relationships, be they sexual or other forms of exploitation, are uncovered amongst the prey themselves.
It is tempting to point to a favorite among the 5 novellas, and I was personally drawn to the subtle characterization of Katje, the middle-aged Afrikaner expat, but each of these novellas have their own strengths, and serve a definite function within the overall structure of the novel. The musical interlude in the fourth novella forms a clever bridge to move the focus of the novel finally on to Dr. Weyland himself in the final chapter.
In this interesting article, Charnas gives some background about the novel, including a reflection on social predation. As with the novel itself, this is also highly recommended.