Many have read and loved Bram Stoker’s Dracula. But questions remain. What is the true story of Dracula’s origin? What if Mina could not bri...
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Feb 01, 2012
Erin aka The Flashlight Reader
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Find the enhanced version of this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot.com...
Bram Stoker's masterpiece is one of my favorite classics. Lucy and Mina are the quintessential embodiment of Victorian chastity, purity and virtue. Stoker's Dracula is especially evil as he seeks to corrupt these women, seducing them and thus corrupting their innocence. They play an essential role in Stoker's work but for all that, they are victims of shallow characterization, necessary More...
Bram Stoker's masterpiece is one of my favorite classics. Lucy and Mina are the quintessential embodiment of Victorian chastity, purity and virtue. Stoker's Dracula is especially evil as he seeks to corrupt these women, seducing them and thus corrupting their innocence. They play an essential role in Stoker's work but for all that, they are victims of shallow characterization, necessary More...
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Jul 25, 2010
Tara
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Wow. This has been a fascinating retelling of the classic Dracula tale. It's told from Mina's POV and in this case, the first person narrative works wonderfully. The story begins with Mina visiting her dear friend Lucy while her fiance, Jonathon Harker is away on business in Transyvania. What Mina doesn't know is that Jonathon's business trip has taken a bad turn. After all, his client is none other than Count Dracula...
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Jun 21, 2011
Ivy
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There are several books available that tell the story of Dracula from Mina Harker's perspective, but none have been as intelligent nor come close to the original as Syrie James' novel.
"Dracula, My Love" is an account of Bram Stoker's Dracula seen through the eyes Mina Harker. As in the original novel, the narrative is given from the journals of Mina and Jonathan. Mina, however, keeps a more shocking and intensely romantic journal in secret shorthand, free from the prying e More...
"Dracula, My Love" is an account of Bram Stoker's Dracula seen through the eyes Mina Harker. As in the original novel, the narrative is given from the journals of Mina and Jonathan. Mina, however, keeps a more shocking and intensely romantic journal in secret shorthand, free from the prying e More...
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Sep 16, 2010
Kavanand
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Dracula My Love is a retelling of Bram Stoker’s Dracula from Mina Harker’s point of view. Mina is an important but underdeveloped character in the original novel. She’s integral to the plot, but we don’t know much about her. Dracula My Love fills in those holes and presents the reader with a fleshed-out Mina and a very different version of Dracula. The book is a departure from the original, as it concentrates mostly on the romance angle. Most of the vampire-hunting parts of the story occur off t
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Aug 14, 2011
Syrie Jame tries very hard to remain as close as possible to the original Dracula story while telling it in 1st person from Mina’s perspective. Being Mina’s story, this focuses on the romantic aspect using Mina’s secret journals in shorthand where she reveals her deepest feelings and secrets, including her fascination with a man both terrifying and intriguing, a man everyone else seems to want to kill.
Mina is a great heroine–strong and smart, and Syrie James’ does a great job of usin More...
Mina is a great heroine–strong and smart, and Syrie James’ does a great job of usin More...
Aug 09, 2011
Maria
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I can't even express to you how much I loved this book - but I will try my best!
The story of Dracula is one that I have always loved. And while it may not be as popular, it is obvious how its effects have impacted us even today. Just look around you and see the Twilight movies, or Vampire Diaries, or even True Blood and it is clear as day how popular vampires were back then, and still are now.
Bram Stoker's Dracula spawned a lifetime of fiction and even more superstitions - bu More...
The story of Dracula is one that I have always loved. And while it may not be as popular, it is obvious how its effects have impacted us even today. Just look around you and see the Twilight movies, or Vampire Diaries, or even True Blood and it is clear as day how popular vampires were back then, and still are now.
Bram Stoker's Dracula spawned a lifetime of fiction and even more superstitions - bu More...
Apr 24, 2011
Chaeya
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This book was an excellent read. It kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting to read more, even in tears in a few places. Mina is definitely the kind of heroine that I love -- she's strong, smart, quick-witted and able to keep her emotions in check. The part I liked the most was that she was able to do all this without sacrificing her femininity. Dracula as the hero was even more than I could imagine and it's difficult not to be in love with him also.
Syri does a good job of tak More...
Syri does a good job of tak More...
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Apr 06, 2011
Brittni
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I had mixed feelings about this book when I picked it up. Hmm, it could be really slow, boring and unadventurous since the "romantic action" takes place in such a chaste time period. Or it could break every conventional rule and then become unbelievable.
Fortunately, neither one of those fears came true. Instead, Syrie James integrated the chastity of the time period with a lusting, sensual Dracula in the most successful of ways. Dracula became a truly inspiring character, More...
Fortunately, neither one of those fears came true. Instead, Syrie James integrated the chastity of the time period with a lusting, sensual Dracula in the most successful of ways. Dracula became a truly inspiring character, More...
Dec 29, 2010
Karissa
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I got a copy of this book through Librarything's Early Reviewer program. I love the original story of Dracula but always wished that the women characters were more filled out. This book does a great job of doing that in a believable way and paints Dracula into a more complex character than he was originally portrayed as.
The whole book is told through the viewpoint of Mina Parker. Through her eyes we see Lucy's decline, hear of Jonathan's troubles in Transalvania, etc. The story lin More...
The whole book is told through the viewpoint of Mina Parker. Through her eyes we see Lucy's decline, hear of Jonathan's troubles in Transalvania, etc. The story lin More...
Dec 19, 2010
Laurie
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‘Dracula, My Love’ retells Bram Stoker’s novel from the point of view of Mina Harker, who in the original was a victim of Dracula and didn’t play a large part in the action. In this, we learn not just Mina’s story, but that of Dracula as well- or at least his story as he wishes Mina to know it. Because he has fallen in love with Mina and will do and say anything to win her.
It’s been years since I read ‘Dracula’ (in 1969, IIRC) so I’ve forgotten large parts of it, but I do think James More...
It’s been years since I read ‘Dracula’ (in 1969, IIRC) so I’ve forgotten large parts of it, but I do think James More...
Nov 18, 2010
Lielabell
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 27, 2010
Sue
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I found it interesting that I picked up this book actually, as I had just finished another story based on Mina Murray's account of the story of Dracula. This book kept far closer to the actual story by Bram Stoker, only through the eyes of the woman (and one of the main characters of it as well - although it was never explored that way in the original). I really enjoyed this version. I felt it kept true the the story and there wasn't anything fabricated differently from the original. If anyt
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Aug 10, 2010
Meg
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Dracula, My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker is a retelling of Bram Stoker's classic Dracula from Mina Harker's point of view. The major events of the novel remain unchanged; however, their interpretation is totally different.
The story begins with Mina summering in the English costal town of Whitby with her dearest friend, Lucy. Her fiance, Jonathan, is away on business in Transylvania, and Mina is disturbed because she hasn't heard from him. There is a great deal here about More...
The story begins with Mina summering in the English costal town of Whitby with her dearest friend, Lucy. Her fiance, Jonathan, is away on business in Transylvania, and Mina is disturbed because she hasn't heard from him. There is a great deal here about More...
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Jun 26, 2010
Svetlana
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The book did not read like a new view on Dracula to me, it read like an author took original Dracula and simply rewritten it trying to keep to Stoker's writing style, but changing all the facts. She did a fabulous job writing the new book,or one could say rewriting an old one,I could almost feel myself back in time when I was reading Bram Stoker for the very first time, only suddenly everything was turned upside down and distorted: plot line, the reasons characters gave for their actions, ... Th
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Dec 01, 2011
Ana
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The first time I saw "Bam Stroker's Dracula" in 1992, I was mezmerized. Between the make-up, the costumes (remember I'm a frustrated fashion designer), and the intense attraction between Mina and Dracula, I felt like I was under a spell...
Forward to 2010. I stumble upon Syrie James' "Dracula, My Love" at the now extinct Borders, buy it, and devoured it in a week. I just couldn't get enough of the story! The author did a great job at filling all the gaps from the o More...
Forward to 2010. I stumble upon Syrie James' "Dracula, My Love" at the now extinct Borders, buy it, and devoured it in a week. I just couldn't get enough of the story! The author did a great job at filling all the gaps from the o More...
Nov 23, 2011
Leah
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This is the story of Mina Harker, a smart, capable and married 19th century woman who falls in love with Dracula. Told from her perspective, Mina explains how she came to love two men and the effects the experience has on her understanding of herself and the world.
My favorite aspect of this novel was learning Dracula's background and how he became a vampire. The world building crafted around the historical events provided an interesting and believable explanation for his existence. More...
My favorite aspect of this novel was learning Dracula's background and how he became a vampire. The world building crafted around the historical events provided an interesting and believable explanation for his existence. More...
Nov 01, 2010
Sandra
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 08, 2011
ALPHAreader
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'Dracula, My Love' is the third novel by acclaimed Hollywood screenwriter (turned novelist), Syrie James.
As the title suggests, James's novel is a retelling of Bram Stoker's original Gothic tale. Our protagonist is Mina Harker, who is recounting a time in her life when everything was thrown into disquiet and discontent. Seven years after the events that bought a Mr Wagner (née, Count Dracula) into her life, and Mina still senses his presence and yearns for his forbidden touch...
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As the title suggests, James's novel is a retelling of Bram Stoker's original Gothic tale. Our protagonist is Mina Harker, who is recounting a time in her life when everything was thrown into disquiet and discontent. Seven years after the events that bought a Mr Wagner (née, Count Dracula) into her life, and Mina still senses his presence and yearns for his forbidden touch...
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Aug 23, 2010
Melissa
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This was an interesting take on Dracula told from Mina Harker's point of view. I have not read the original Dracula by Bram Stoker, but was intrigued by the premise of this book. Although I really do not like 19th Century literature and James tried to write in the same style as Stoker, this novel was a bit removed from Stoker's Dracula and I was able to complete the novel, unlike much of the Bronte and Austen works.
The central idea of this novel is the pull that Mina Harker feels More...
The central idea of this novel is the pull that Mina Harker feels More...
Jul 13, 2010
Meredith (Austenesque Reviews)
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(Note: This review is coming from the perspective of someone who has not yet had the pleasure of reading Bram Stoker's Dracula.)
Critically acclaimed and bestselling author, Syrie James, once again transports her readers back in time and enchants them with a tale of unknown romance. This time instead of revealing the secret love affair of a famous author as she did with Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë, Syrie James decides to divulge the hidden romance between two fictional character More...
Critically acclaimed and bestselling author, Syrie James, once again transports her readers back in time and enchants them with a tale of unknown romance. This time instead of revealing the secret love affair of a famous author as she did with Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë, Syrie James decides to divulge the hidden romance between two fictional character More...
Jun 22, 2011
Ron
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The book starts with a prologue that gives the whole novel a flashback perspective, so, unfortunately, we know from the first lines how the tale is going to end. I had picked it up hoping to see Stoker's Dracula redeemed, so it was not exactly the most gripping way to open the narrative, but still I decided to give it a chance.
I must confess that Syrie James must have done it right, because by the end of the text I was almost sure that I would get my happy ending. The writing was very More...
I must confess that Syrie James must have done it right, because by the end of the text I was almost sure that I would get my happy ending. The writing was very More...
Jan 15, 2011
Noémie
rated it:
J'ai adoré! Je n'ai pas lu le Dracula de Bram Stoker mais j'ai vu le film de Coppola (très spécial en passant) mais là j'ai redécouvert le vrai vampire ,le mythe et le fait que se soit du point de vue de Mina rend les choses plus intéressante (point de vue féminin en plus ^^). Des passages que j'ai trouvé très charnels; sensuels.
Un Dracula attirant et dangereux, séducteur on a envie de tomber dans ses bras mais quelque chose chez lui nous fait craindre son aspect prédateur... Le point de M More...
Un Dracula attirant et dangereux, séducteur on a envie de tomber dans ses bras mais quelque chose chez lui nous fait craindre son aspect prédateur... Le point de M More...
Jul 25, 2010
Allie
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Based on Bram Stoker's Dracula, the "original" vampire novel, Dracula, My Love tells Mina Harker's side of this famous story. But while Stoker's tale presents Dracula as someone to be feared and loathed, Dracula, My Love presents a more humanized Count Dracula, one with a conscience and deep feelings of sadness, remorse, and love. I enjoyed the clever way James fills in the blanks left from Stoker's story. Her thoughtful and well-imagined explanations for Dracula's seemingly brutal act
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Aug 29, 2011
Lisa
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This book I must say made me very angry. I read it literally on the heels of reading Stoker's Dracula which painted a very dark, tension-filled atmosphere. There was no love story, there was mostly just horror. And Stoker was way better. In this James proposes an alternative story to Dracula the horror character and presents him as a misunderstood guy just looking for the right girl. Ugh! In the end he reminded of Edward and she reminded me of Bella and the whole story made me want to vomit. I r
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Aug 10, 2010
Katie(babs)
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This interpretation feels very much like the original Dracula, but from Mina's point of view. The story picks up where Mina is staying at Whitby by the sea with her friend, Lucy Westenra. Mina's fiancé', Jonathon, has gone to the Eastern European country of Transylvania to meet with a Count Dracula for a real-estate transaction. Mina misses Jonathon and can't wait for him to return so they can finally be married. As Mina enjoys her holiday, things grow sinister in nature as a shocking shipwreck
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Jun 17, 2011
Michele
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Skip it. If you've read Fred Saberhagen's The Dracula Tape, you've read a far far better version of this already. The author tries to turn Mina into a modern woman but doesn't succeed very well -- instead of thinking for herself she's like a weathervane, swinging around to believe whoever is telling her tales at the moment, so it comes across as more of a slightly discordant medley than a coherent tune. In fact, Bram Stoker's Mina is in some ways a more consistent and stronger character than
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Nov 16, 2011
Irene
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2010 was a year of prolific Dracula adaptations...maybe to cash in the vamp craze. I picked this one up to see how it stacks up to the Karen Essex version called Dracula in Love.
Both are written from the POV of Mina Murray. Both of the re-tellings put Dracula in a more romantic, less sinister, light. Both were published within a month of one another.
Update:
Based on my opinion of the other Syrie James book I read, I should have known it would not be something I wo More...
Both are written from the POV of Mina Murray. Both of the re-tellings put Dracula in a more romantic, less sinister, light. Both were published within a month of one another.
Update:
Based on my opinion of the other Syrie James book I read, I should have known it would not be something I wo More...
Feb 08, 2012
Reading
rated it:
Review Written by Andrea @ Reading Lark
Source: Library
http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2012/02/...
Have you ever wanted to love a book, but for some reason something just wasn't clicking? That's exactly what happened to me with this one. There is literally nothing wrong - Syrie James is a fantastic writer, the characters and setting come to life, and this book has all the elements of a great story - but I had a lot of trouble getting through this one. There were moments when More...
Source: Library
http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2012/02/...
Have you ever wanted to love a book, but for some reason something just wasn't clicking? That's exactly what happened to me with this one. There is literally nothing wrong - Syrie James is a fantastic writer, the characters and setting come to life, and this book has all the elements of a great story - but I had a lot of trouble getting through this one. There were moments when More...
Jul 30, 2010
Kelly
rated it:
Syrie James, author of two straight historical novels, dips her toes into the paranormal pool with Dracula, My Love. Using Bram Stoker’s classic novel Dracula as a framework, James tells the story from the point of view of Mina Harker, and adds a twist: What if Mina wasn’t just ensorcelled by Dracula, but truly loved him?
I figured this would be a hard sell for me. The popular view of the vampire has changed throughout time, from the ravenous monsters of folklore to the seductive vill More...
I figured this would be a hard sell for me. The popular view of the vampire has changed throughout time, from the ravenous monsters of folklore to the seductive vill More...
Aug 17, 2010
“Dracula, My Love”
By Syrie James
“Dracula, My Love” is a great new take on a classic story. Author Syrie James transports the reader back in time with the smart and likeable lead character, Mina. Mina and her best friend Lucy are spending the summer together in a small quiet town while their fiancée’s are away working. Thinking this will be the best summer they’ve ever had, the girls are stunned when mystery and danger slips into their life.
When Mina gets a lette More...
By Syrie James
“Dracula, My Love” is a great new take on a classic story. Author Syrie James transports the reader back in time with the smart and likeable lead character, Mina. Mina and her best friend Lucy are spending the summer together in a small quiet town while their fiancée’s are away working. Thinking this will be the best summer they’ve ever had, the girls are stunned when mystery and danger slips into their life.
When Mina gets a lette More...
