Stephanie’s Review of “Vampires in The Lemon Grove” by Karen Russell

By: Stephanie Wyatt

Vampires in the Lemon Grove is the first short story in a collection of short stories by the same name. The story tells about a centuries-old vampire named Clyde and his wife, Magreb. Clyde and Magreb have searched the world, looking for something that quenches their constant thirst. After drinking several different drinks rumored to relieve thirst, they discover a lemon grove in southern Italy that takes the edge off. Clyde becomes comfortable being known as the grove’s beloved Nanno, who plays dominoes under the shade of the lemon trees. Magreb admits to him that the lemons no longer quench her thirst, so they must move on.

I have read the beginning of this story a handful of times in class, but I never had the chance to finish it until now. I thought the lore of the story was interesting. All of the stories about vampires are untrue. They can survive sunlight, stick their limbs in holy water, enter sacred grounds, and don’t need blood to survive. It was interesting to see a vampire be comfortable and call some place home.

The pacing was amazing. The setting is beautiful and descriptive. Readers will find themselves rooting for this man who just wants to belong. Vampire books have been popular for several years and each have their own lore. This was refreshing because it was a new look at a mythical creature that has dominated the market for over a decade. I thought I had seen everything there was to see about vampires. It’s good to see that they aren’t as played out as I thought.

Overall, Vampires in the Lemon Grove was a quick and enjoyable read. It surprised me for such a short read. I’m excited to read the other stories in the collection. If you’re needing a vampire fix, I recommend this story.

You can find Vampires in the Lemon Grove wherever books are sold and with a simple internet search. It gets a 4/5 for me because I liked it, but not as much as my last 5-star read.

What are your favorite vampire stories? Have you read this story? Let us know in the comments!