Vampires in the Lemon Grove
Karen Russel
I read this short story because of the title, Vampires in the Lemon Grove. I have always found myself gravitating towards stories involving vampires. My second favorite book I have ever read is called The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, which deals with the most revered vampire of all time, Dracula. However, the usual darkness shrouding a gothic vampire story is absent from this title. A lemon grove does not seem a fitting home for the undead. Immediately I found myself questioning the juxtaposition of this title, and, consequently, reading on.
Clyde, the main character, is described as “a small kindly Italian grandfather,” with a walnut stain peculiar to Southern Italians. He is not a stereotypical vampire: untouched by the sun, red eyed, with the face of living death. Most likely, “kindly” would be considered an atypical adjective for any vampire. By describing Clyde as so, we see him as very human.
Clyde, the vampire, experiences many human the fears and desires: his loneliness concerning his wife, his disconnect with his, his care for her. However, he is immortal. The question remains, if you had to love someone forever, could you? We empathize with him and the eternal loneliness that accompanies his existence. At the moment we comprehend his total loneliness, we are abruptly reminded of the monstrosity within when he attacks a village girl, Fila. Vampires in the Lemon Grove explores love and loneliness, suffering and reprieve, as well as sacrifice all within the context of immortality. I found it very interesting. (260)
Sounds like you enjoyed it, both from this post and our conversation. I think Zach is looking at this story also.
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