\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eJohn William Polidoriâs classic gothic horror tale, \u003ci\u003eThe Vampyre\u003c/i\u003e, recounts one of the first vampire stories in English literature.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/b\u003e \u003cp\u003eLord Ruthven is a mysterious newcomer among Englandâs social elite. A young gentleman named Aubrey is fascinated by the suave stranger and is intrigued by his often curious behaviour. While travelling in Europe amid rumours of vampire killings, the pair are attacked, leaving Ruthven on his death bed. As he draws his last breaths, he pleads with Aubrey to keep his death a secret for just over a year. When Ruthven reappears in London alive and well, Aubrey realises that his friend might be hiding dark and horrifying truths behind his seductive fabrication.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Vampyre\u003c/i\u003e was written during the âLost Summer of 1816â, when John William Polidori was among the group of friends who accompanied Lord Byron to the Villa Diodati on Lake Geneva. This short, stormy stay in the mansion led to a horror story writing competition in which famous tales such as Mary Shelleyâs \u003ci\u003eFrankenstein\u003c/i\u003e were first produced.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDecadent, sinister, and macabre \u003ci\u003eThe Vampyre\u003c/i\u003e started the enduring fascination with bloodsucking monsters that produced stories such as Bram Stokerâs \u003c/i\u003eDracula\u003c/i\u003e. This chilling tale is not to be missed by lovers of fantasy and horror fiction.\u003c/p\u003e
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