Not your normal paranormal story....

If you could sum up I, Strahd: The Memoirs of a Vampire in three words, what would they be?

Intense, logical and riveting.

What did you like best about this story?

The story works- yes, it's a vampire story, so there are parts you have to suspend belief in reality some, but it's a sensible suspension, a logical thing. The intensity of the characters, the building of the story made me stay with it and waiting for the next part. The viewpoint is from the main character and remains true to his station and background, and historically, is pretty true to the times.

The emotional content is also fierce, as is the main character, so you would expect no less. Sex, often over used in many novels, is almost not here at all, except for alluding to , not describing it. I'm not a prude by a long shot, but it was nice the author didn't just put in excess sex scenes that didn't work in this story as per the times and mores, and that the story ran smoothly for that exclusion in this book. This was a book more about revenge than sex,but love plays a role, too.

It held my attention all the way through the book and I'll look for the next one.

Which scene was your favorite?

The entire book was excellent, no one scene was the "everything" scene and all downhill after that.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, but I could "see" the characters, wonderfully detailed and yet not bogged down.

Any additional comments?

Worth the money.

21 people found this helpful

Love it...just one complaint....

Would you listen to I, Strahd: The Memoirs of a Vampire again? Why?

Yes, definitely

What other book might you compare I, Strahd: The Memoirs of a Vampire to and why?

Gene DeWesse's King of the Dead and Lord of the Necropolis. As well as the anthology called Tales of Ravenloft.....but sadly, see below....

What about Paul Boehmer’s performance did you like?

very adequately done, hard to compare to the abridged version read by the late incomparable Roddy McDowell though.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I actually did listen to this in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

By far one of my favorite books. I can't tell you how often I had listened to the abridged audio read by Roddy McDowell. I actually have the first 20 or so pages memorized I have read this so much. My only real complaint isn't so much about this book, as it is about the series. I, Strahd 2: The War Against Azalin is offered on Audible, but the two excellent Azalin books written by Gene DeWeese are not. The second book in the series ties directly into events from both Strahd novels. Likewise other "iconic" Ravenloft novels as well as ones for other lesser known Dungeons & Dragons worlds like Spelljammer, Planescape and Darksun are also missing. I feel like these should be added. At the very least the books I mentioned by Gene DeWeese, the excellent and rare anthology called Tales of Ravenloft which has another Strahd short story in it, as well as books from different worlds by J Robert King, Simon Hawke, and Nigel Findley should be added. I urge fans of these books or even the curious to request them through audible. Hopefully someone will listen to us some day.

34 people found this helpful

Great book to understand Strad's mind

If you've ever played Ravenloft or wish to do it, this is a great book for you.
The way the story unfolds makes you really grasp the feeling of living in the era in which Strad was alive.
To be honest, I preferred the book until Strad's transformation into a vampire. I'd give 5 stars for that part and 4 for rest of the book.

13 people found this helpful

Get a more animated narrator

This narrator reads like a robot. His cadence isn’t natural. Maybe I’m just spoiled by Marc Thompson.

10 people found this helpful

A good gothic vampire story

This is a wonderful narrative about the becoming of a vampire, and why, as told by the vampire himself. He's an evil entity, but you can't help but feel compassion for the guy, as true love drags him into the depths of hell. Which is a good complement for the author, because Strahd, the commander is heartless, but you understand why he is the way he is, and how that makes him a good ruler of Ravenloft. His downfall is falling in love, giving up his soul and humanity, for 'His heart's Desire", thus the painful existence begins for an eternity. The narrator does an excellent job taking you back hundreds of years to hear the story, kinda gives you the same feel as "Interview with the Vampire" from Anne Rice.

8 people found this helpful

Marvelous Memiors

I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. I found it rather interesting how in the Ravenloft series each book is written by a different author. In this addition Strahd Von Zarovich has lead his men through the war and now they are on their way to claim his land and property. When he arrives at his newly acquired castle his younger brother is there to greet him along with some of the locals. The two brothers eventually fall in love with the same young girl and because Strahd is so much older she chooses, falls in love, and plans to marry Strahd's younger brother. He is heartbroken and in a desperate hour tries to evoke black magic. This is when he is approached by what he considers "death itself", and is promised that he will have all of his hearts desires for a price; in his weekend state he accepts. Strahd is forever changed and lives an endless life in search of his one true love until.....

All in all a pretty good, non sappy vampire story that is a definite throw back to the old, scary kinds of the undead. Paul Boehmer does a great job with the narration. I was not aware until I was finished listening that he also narrates the Nicholas Flamel Series.

5 people found this helpful

The narration killed it for me

The prologue was good!
Unfortunately the narration let it down.

I've listened to a few audiobooks now and the ability for the narrator to alter their voice to reflect the different characters makes a big difference. If that had been done then, perhaps, it might have been able to get through the book.

Unfortunately I had to keep rewinding sections as the dreary monotony of the narrator lost me. The story was 'meh', too. Not very gripping. I only got about ⅓ of the way through and just couldn't take it any more. I was hoping for more, I love this genre of story but it just wasn't good for me.

3 people found this helpful

amazing

Paul Boehmer's strand voice is on point! I absolutely loved it. the story was great, and the execution was masterful.

3 people found this helpful

A fantastic story brought to life!

Would you listen to I, Strahd: The Memoirs of a Vampire again? Why?

Yes, the story is incredible and engaging.

What was one of the most memorable moments of I, Strahd: The Memoirs of a Vampire?

From the first few pages, the reader quickly gets into the heart of the Ravenloft world...

Any additional comments?

As nice as Paul Boehmer's voice was, the original (abridged) version with Roddy McDowall was PERFECT. I really wish McDowall would have read an unabridged version of the book.

3 people found this helpful

Best book I've read years

What made the experience of listening to I, Strahd: The Memoirs of a Vampire the most enjoyable?

It moves along quickly, more drama than neck-biting. It moves quickly I've had to read it three times.

What other book might you compare I, Strahd: The Memoirs of a Vampire to and why?

I've been a Tom Clancy , Dan Brown, and reading latest on Kennedy killing so I can't compare the books. The right Kennedy book is book but I would love to have one of the vampires bite LBJ and HH.

Have you listened to any of Paul Boehmer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I'll try one now I do hope there are follow ups to this one.

Any additional comments?

Great book. Oh, I'm 65 years old .

2 people found this helpful