“I want you to believe…to believe in things that you cannot.” Bram Stoker, Dracula (1897)

This Irish writer managed to create a novel where he blended the lore of centuries past with popular contemporary topics, thus allowing his readers to believe even the most unusual occurrences. Although myths and folktales about monsters who become immortal by feeding on the life essence of the living can be found throughout the world, it is impossible to prove when and where they originated. These creatures take many different forms— they appear as evil spirits in Chinese mythology, ghoul-like beings in Indian tales, female creatures who feast on children in Greek lore and blood thirsty demons in Persian legends.

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