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{{Short description|Novel by Whitley Strieber}}
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'''''The Hunger''''' (1981) is a novel by [[Whitley Strieber]]. The plot involves a beautiful [[vampire]] named Miriam Blaylock who takes human lovers and transforms them into vampire/human hybrids.
{{Infobox book <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Novels or Wikipedia:WikiProject_Books -->
| name = The Hunger
| title_orig =
| translator =
| image = TheHungerStrieberNovel.jpg
| caption = 1981 hardback edition
| author = [[Whitley Strieber]]
| cover_artist =
| country = [[United States]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
| series =
| genre = [[Fantasy literature|Fantasy]], [[Horror fiction|horror]], [[Romance novel|romance]], [[science fiction]], [[Vampire literature|vampire]]
| publisher = [[William Morrow and Company|William Morrow]]
| release_date = 1981
| media_type = Print ([[Hardcover|Hardback]] & [[Paperback]])
| pages = 320 p
| isbn = 0-68-803757-7
| dewey=
| congress=
| oclc=
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
}}
⚫
'''''The Hunger''''' (1981) is a novel by [[Whitley Strieber]]. The plot involves a beautiful and wealthy [[vampire]] named Miriam Blaylock who takes human lovers and transforms them into vampire-human hybrids.


This novel is unusual in that it discusses the practical problems of vampirism, such as the difficulty in obtaining victims and concealing frequent murders. ''The Hunger'' also suggests a science-fiction explanation for vampirism, stating that the vampires are a distinct species that bear a physical resemblance to humans. They are not truly immortal, but do not age after reaching physical maturity and are extremely strong and difficult to kill. Miriam discovers that some vampire traits, such as prolonged youth, can be transmitted to humans by performing a blood transfusion.
The novel is unusual in that it deals with the practical considerations of vampirism, such as the difficulty in obtaining victims and concealing frequent murders. ''The Hunger'' suggests a science-fiction explanation for vampirism, that vampires are a species that bears a resemblance to humans. They are not immortal but do not age after reaching physical maturity and are extremely strong and difficult to kill. Miriam discovers that some vampire traits, such as prolonged youth, can be transmitted to humans by performing a [[blood transfusion]].


Strieber wrote two sequels to the novel: ''The Last Vampire'' in 2001 and ''Lilith's Dream: A Tale of the Vampire Life'' in 2003.
A film adaptation of [[The Hunger|''The Hunger'']], directed by [[Tony Scott]] and starring [[Susan Sarandon]], [[Catherine Deneuve]], and [[David Bowie]], was released in [[1983]].


==Plot synopsis==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hunger, The}}
Miriam Blaylock is a vampire whose life began in [[ancient Egypt]]: her mother [[Lamia]] was also a vampire,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7kns2t5M1D8C&pg=PA367|title=The Hunger|first=Whitley|last=Strieber|publisher=Simon and Schuster|date=1981|isbn=9780743436441|edition=2001}}</ref> which overlaps with some attributes of the figure from Greek mythology sharing the same name. She has taken human companions ([[Bisexuality|male or female]]) to ease her loneliness. While her blood will grant them greatly expanded lifespans, they (unlike her) eventually begin to age, a process that cannot be halted. Eventually they wither to dusty shells but unfortunately for them they remain conscious. Unable to bear the thought of murdering her lovers, Miriam imprisons them in steel-encased chests to keep with her for eternity.
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[[Category:1981 novels]]

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[[Category:American novels]]
The novel begins when John, her most recent companion suddenly begins to age. Miriam is surprised at the brief amount of time that John lasted (only about 200 years). She has been secretly following the work of Dr. Sarah Roberts, a brilliant young physician whose research may hold the key to immortality for her lover. John becomes too uncontrollable for Miriam to deal with and she soon sets her sights on another companion, Sarah.
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[[Category:Horror novels]]

==Film adaptation==
The [[The Hunger (1983 film)|1983 film ''The Hunger'']] was directed by [[Tony Scott]], starring [[Catherine Deneuve]] as Miriam Blaylock, [[David Bowie]] as her husband John, and [[Susan Sarandon]] as Dr. Sarah Roberts.

==International titles==
* French: ''Les Prédateurs'' (The Predators)
* German: ''Der Kuss der Todes'' (The Kiss of Death)
* Spanish: ''El ansia'' (The Craving)
* Brazilian Portuguese: ''Fome de Viver'' (Hunger for Life)

==References==
{{reflist}}


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{{horror-novel-stub}}
{{Whitley Strieber}}
{{Whitley Strieber}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hunger, The}}
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[[Category:1981 American novels]]
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[[Category:1981 fantasy novels]]
[[Category:1980s horror novels]]
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[[Category:1980s LGBTQ novels]]
[[Category:American horror novels]]
[[Category:American LGBTQ novels]]
[[Category:American novels adapted into films]]
[[Category:American vampire novels]]
[[Category:Novels with bisexual themes]]
[[Category:Novels by Whitley Strieber]]
[[Category:LGBTQ speculative fiction novels]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-related horror literature]]
[[Category:William Morrow and Company books]]
[[Category:Lamia]]


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{{1980s-LGBT-novel-stub}}
{{1980s-specf-novel-stub}}

Latest revision as of 20:40, 24 September 2024

The Hunger
1981 hardback edition
AuthorWhitley Strieber
LanguageEnglish
GenreFantasy, horror, romance, science fiction, vampire
PublisherWilliam Morrow
Publication date
1981
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages320 p
ISBN0-68-803757-7

The Hunger (1981) is a novel by Whitley Strieber. The plot involves a beautiful and wealthy vampire named Miriam Blaylock who takes human lovers and transforms them into vampire-human hybrids.

The novel is unusual in that it deals with the practical considerations of vampirism, such as the difficulty in obtaining victims and concealing frequent murders. The Hunger suggests a science-fiction explanation for vampirism, that vampires are a species that bears a resemblance to humans. They are not immortal but do not age after reaching physical maturity and are extremely strong and difficult to kill. Miriam discovers that some vampire traits, such as prolonged youth, can be transmitted to humans by performing a blood transfusion.

Strieber wrote two sequels to the novel: The Last Vampire in 2001 and Lilith's Dream: A Tale of the Vampire Life in 2003.

Plot synopsis

[edit]

Miriam Blaylock is a vampire whose life began in ancient Egypt: her mother Lamia was also a vampire,[1] which overlaps with some attributes of the figure from Greek mythology sharing the same name. She has taken human companions (male or female) to ease her loneliness. While her blood will grant them greatly expanded lifespans, they (unlike her) eventually begin to age, a process that cannot be halted. Eventually they wither to dusty shells but unfortunately for them they remain conscious. Unable to bear the thought of murdering her lovers, Miriam imprisons them in steel-encased chests to keep with her for eternity.

The novel begins when John, her most recent companion suddenly begins to age. Miriam is surprised at the brief amount of time that John lasted (only about 200 years). She has been secretly following the work of Dr. Sarah Roberts, a brilliant young physician whose research may hold the key to immortality for her lover. John becomes too uncontrollable for Miriam to deal with and she soon sets her sights on another companion, Sarah.

Film adaptation

[edit]

The 1983 film The Hunger was directed by Tony Scott, starring Catherine Deneuve as Miriam Blaylock, David Bowie as her husband John, and Susan Sarandon as Dr. Sarah Roberts.

International titles

[edit]
  • French: Les Prédateurs (The Predators)
  • German: Der Kuss der Todes (The Kiss of Death)
  • Spanish: El ansia (The Craving)
  • Brazilian Portuguese: Fome de Viver (Hunger for Life)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Strieber, Whitley (1981). The Hunger (2001 ed.). Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780743436441.


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