First published in 1981, They Thirst was Robert McCammon’s fourth novel, and it remains one of the major milestones of an ambitious, constantly evolving career. Like its predecessors — Baal, Bethany’s Sin, and The Night Boat — They Thirst made its initial appearance as a paperback original. In the years since, it has acquired an intensely devoted following, and is now widely regarded as one of … following, and is now widely regarded as one of the significant vampire novels of the 20th century.
The story begins in the tiny Hungarian hamlet of Krajeck, where nine-year-old Andre Palatazin awaits the return of his father from an unspecified — but clearly dangerous—mission. The man who finally returns is no longer Andre’s father — is no longer, in fact, a man. Pursued by this undead entity, Andre and his mother barely escape with their lives. Decades later, Andre — now Andy — Palatazin is a homicide detective in the Los Angeles Police Department, and spends his days dealing with the quotidian terrors of a large metropolis. His life takes a darker turn when the demonic forces he first encountered in Krajeck arrive in L.A., led by an ancient vampire known as The Master. The Master’s plan: to overrun the city and use it as a stepping-stone toward wider, ultimately global, domination.
They Thirst marks the earliest appearance of McCammon’s penchant for epic, wide-angled narratives. With the unobtrusive ease of a natural storyteller, the author propels a wide assortment of vividly created characters through an apocalyptic scenario that combines gritty urban realism with a powerful portrait of supernatural forces at large in the modern world. The result is a genuine classic of the genre, a novel that is as fresh and absorbing today as it was more than thirty years ago.
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I first read this book many years ago and recently re-discovered it. entertaining vampire tale with a motley crew of “heroes”. I always thought it should be a movie with Tom Petty’s “Freefallin” as the soundtrack.
They Thirst, Robert McCammon, 1981
My favorite quote: “Well, look around. Just look. Have you ever considered the possibility that God might be insane?”
Notable characters: Andy, the detective; the Roach, a rapist and murderer; Gayle, a reporter; Rico, a gangster
Most memorable scene: When the albino opens fire in that bar in Texas
Greatest strengths: This book has a huge cast and multiple points of view, but in the hands of a master like McCammon, it reads seamlessly
Standout achievements: The prose itself. Few writers have the language at their command like Robert McCammon does
Fun Facts: Citing that he didn’t feel it measured up to his later efforts, McCammon took this book out of print for several years
Other media: N/A
What it taught me: McCammon excels at a lot of things, but what I’ve learned from him most — and from this book in particular — is how to effectively construct compelling action sequences
How it inspired me: While writing The Black Wasp, I was trying to figure out how my villain, Gretchen, might summon Emeric, her old friend, from several cities away. I remembered a scene in They Thirst where Wes Richer’s wife, a medium, makes contact with an evil spirit who warns them about vampires through a Ouija board. Somehow, this gave me the idea that vampires, being technically dead, might possibly be able to communicate through divining methods … so I added a seance to one of Emeric’s scenes, and viola! … Gretchen made contact
Additional thoughts: This book has a definite Dracula “vibe,” including a serial killer reminiscent of Renfield — but at the same time, it’s a unique work that stands on its own and, in my opinion, is in no way inferior to the author’s later works. I don’t know what he was thinking by taking this book out of print. I suspect there’s more to that story … but that’s none of my business …
My rating: 4 of 5
Haunt me: alistaircross.com
If anyone asks me my favorite vampire novel, this is it. I first read it as a preteen, and re-read it a dozen times in my youth. I have an original cover copy, too, and I treasure it.
Unique vampire novel.
My favorite book for many many years!!!
I remember reading this for the first time and finding myself totally involved in the story. It was a vampire story that I could understand with people who did predictable and sometimes stupid things but the human thing to do. The vampires that are created are in a lot of instances the worst kind of people who can be found to begin. I like that time is taken to develop each of the main characters and it even gives a nice accounting for the side characters. This was even better for me because I lived/live in Los Angeles, though the earlier reading had me not knowing some of the areas mentioned because I had a limited knowledge of the city.
Andy Palatazin was a boy in Krajeck Hungary when the nightmare began for him and his mother. They fled into the night and snow to save their lives and found themselves in California where he grew to manhood. Andy has become a Captain with the Los Angeles police and is hunting a serial killer when things start to become familiar. Andy sees the same signs that befell his old village before it fell to the dark forces.
Prince Conrad Vulkan has come to Los Angeles to create an army of vampires in his quest to destroy the human race and become the ultimate ruler. His death in 1342 was only the beginning for this child of privilege who has visions of grandeur running through his head.
How do you save people who will not believe in the boogie man?
While I still enjoyed the story because it still packs a bit of a punch, I found myself wanting it to move a little faster. I never noticed until now that it seems to drag as we get toward the end, like he did not want to stop writing. But no matter I still recommend this because it is one of the good vampire novels that does not have any sparkling, sexy, love starved vampires. This is dark and evil from the old school way.