Vampires

Matthew Haighs Vampires is a rare book: devastating both for its dazzling linguistic flair and its moving central story-an elegy to a lost beloved aunt. Rich with references that place us firmly in the late 80s and early 90s it reminds us that childhood is leaping from a bridge into mist. Its a heady read in which family life bleeds into gothic fantasy into video games and arcade classics-with their endless potential for death and rebirth. Every word is lacquered effulgent cut like crystal packed with E numbers fizzing with energy. Vampires is a dream resurrected a surreal MTV video an ode to our beta-version hearts.