Fevre Dream by George R. Martin
Book review
by John Goodrich

 

Rating:

 

1857 has not been a kind year to Abner Marsh's Fevre River Packets. Five of his six ships have been smashed by ice, leaving him with one aged old rear-wheeler. But Abner gets a most unusual offer from Joshua York, an Easterner if Abner has ever seen one. Joshua wants to but a half-share on Fevre River Packets, and is willing to spend enormous amounts of money to help Abner built the grandest, fastest steamboat that has ever plied the Mississippi; the Fever Dream. Abner just has to put up with a few peculiarities on Joshua's part; he sleeps during the day and shouldn't be disturbed, keeps strange friends, and has impossibly good night vision. Still, Abner has his beautiful ship. But was it worth the compromise?

George R. Martin is an excellent writer, and this is a beautiful example of his ability. Like many good writers, he has created his own pathology of the vampire, and Martin's is particularly interesting. The plot line is sparklingly original and arresting; it's a book you will want to re-read.

Martin has obviously done a lot of homework, and this far outshines any other vampire story set in New Orleans. If the Mississippi trade of the pre Civil War period was not like this, it certainly feels right. Everything about this book is outstanding--the characters, tone, and mood are all masterfully handled. Find it, buy it, read it.