The Baron Parzifal was originally called Schalken in the novel. The name was
taken from one of my favourite short stories by Sheridan LeFanu: Strange
Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter. A ghostly Dutch trader who makes a guest appearance later in Shadows was also inspired by LeFanu's story. There was a television adaptation on the BBC in 1979 with Charles Grey doing a rather wonderful narration.
But after much hand wringing I eventually decided to change the Baron's name to Parzifal as I wanted to make a stronger connection to the Grail legend. Of course, I'm aware Parzifal with a 'z' and a 'f' is a singularly uncommon spelling but, hey, isn't the Baron is a pretty singular sort of a character?
Camille is
a play on another of Lefanu’s characters, the vampire in the novella Camilla. It is also an affectionate nod in the direction of Hammer Horror’s The Vampire Lovers.
