Shaun Micallef would hate to be immortal, so he wrote a vampire novel

Shaun Micallef, a beloved Australian comedian, has ventured into the literary world with his first novel, "De'Ath Takes a Holiday." This work is not just a foray into fiction but a profound exploration of themes that have long occupied Micallef's sharp, satirical mind. The novel, an origin story for the very first vampire, the Comte De'Ath, delves into the transactional nature of the world and the existential ennui that immortality might bring. Micallef, speaking to ABC Radio National's The Book Show, reveals his personal fascination with the concept of finitude, suggesting that life's meaning is intrinsically tied to its end.

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I wanted to explore the nature of immortality and how certainly if I had it, I'd get very bored.

Inspired by historical injustices, particularly the Zong massacre of 1781, Micallef uses the vampire narrative to critique societal exploitation. The novel reimagines enslaved people from the massacre as zombies working on the Comte's plantation, a stark commentary on the commodification of human life. This connection to historical atrocities, viewed through a contemporary lens, highlights Micallef's characteristic blend of dark humor and social commentary. His choice to set the story in Haiti and involve an insurance agent investigating a historical claim adds layers of complexity, drawing parallels between past exploitation and present-day systems.

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He's kind of done everything now and he goes, Well, what's the point? The whole point of life is its finitude, so he wants to be mortal again if he can be.

Micallef also draws inspiration from Samuel Butler's "Erewhon," aiming to create a satire of contemporary society akin to Butler's critique of Victorian times. The novel's proto-Dracula figure, the Comte De'Ath, is envisioned with a voice reminiscent of Alan Rickman and Jeremy Irons, adding a touch of dramatic flair. The narrative's journey, involving a quest for mortality and a consultation with Sigmund Freud, further underscores the novel's engagement with philosophical and psychological themes. For Australian audiences, Micallef's work offers a familiar comedic voice tackling weighty subjects, presented with a unique, often irreverent, perspective that resonates with the nation's cultural appreciation for wit and social critique.

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It's really a satire on Victorian times, mores, social conventions and expectations.