The plot involves a beautiful and wealthy vampire named Miriam Blaylock who takes human lovers and transforms them into vampire-human hybrids.

The novel is unusual in that it deals with the practical considerations of vampirism, such as the difficulty in obtaining victims and concealing frequent murders.

While her blood will grant them greatly expanded lifespans, they (unlike her) eventually begin to age, a process that cannot be halted.

She has been secretly following the work of Dr. Sarah Roberts, a brilliant young physician whose research may hold the key to immortality for her lover.

The 1983 film The Hunger was directed by Tony Scott, starring Catherine Deneuve as Miriam Blaylock, David Bowie as her husband John, and Susan Sarandon as Dr. Sarah Roberts.