Dioni wrote: "I just read Dracula too last month, then I watched the 1992 movie by Coppola. Like Kirsty I hadn't watched any Dracula movies before reading the book. I thought the decision to make Mina Dracula's ..."

I did also. At times I wished Bram Stroker would hurry up and get to the point. But in the end I was happy with the novel overall.

I just read Dracula too last month, then I watched the 1992 movie by Coppola. Like Kirsty I hadn't watched any Dracula movies before reading the book. I thought the decision to make Mina Dracula's lover in past life was really weird. I liked the general storyline of the book more, but I found it really slow.

I read Dracula last year and really enjoyed it. I loved how atmospheric the novel was. I think it probably helped that I haven't seen any of the Dracula movies so I didn't really have anything to compare it to. The only thing I didn't like about the novel was how Harker and co's musings tended to come right in the middle of the scenes of action. I felt they dragged the pace down a little. I gave it 4* though because overall it was a great read.

Libby wrote: "I haven't read "Dracula" but a couple of years ago BBC had a Masterpiece Theatre production. It was very different from most adaptations so for those of you who have read the book you may want to ..."

Hey, Libby - That version was just on PBS this past Sunday. It did differ from the novel, but I still enjoyed it and thought it was a good alternative take on Bram Stoker's version.

I haven't read "Dracula" but a couple of years ago BBC had a Masterpiece Theatre production. It was very different from most adaptations so for those of you who have read the book you may want to see it. Netflix has it.

Danelle wrote: "So a while ago I decided to read more classic novels. I love vampires, and i was ashamed to say i never read Dracula. Now I have! But after reading the book I was mad. The Dracula in movies, is nothing like Bram Strokers Dracula. In movies, I feel as if Dracula should be pitied. Yet I don't pity him in the book. I want him to die. Over all I enjoyed the book. Anyone else read it? How did you feel about it? "

It's been a few years since I've read it and it may be time for a re-read, but from what I recall, you are absolutely right in that the Dracula from the novel is nothing like most movie versions. I say "most" because, one film, "Nosferatu," is closer to the spirit and intent of the novel. The filmmakers wanted to make a movie called "Dracula," based on the book, but they were denied permission, so they renamed their effort "Nosferatu." It's a b&w silent film which I saw at Wolf Trap (near Washington, DC) with the National Symphony Orchestra playing along (live) and large fans playing over the crowd during the shipboard scenes. It was a blast!

Anyway, the transformation from the vampire from one of monster and pariah to that of romantic figure has largely been at the hands of Hollywood filmmakers and modern derivatists (writers who write their own versions of vampires.) Personally, I'm not fond of the romantic or sympathetic vampire figure. By removing the moral and ethical pathos and reducing the vampire to a bodice ripping sex god who "promises" immortality through corporeal death (as opposed to threatening the same) the vampire has lost its menace.

More interestingly, it's commonly accepted that "Dracula" was based upon the Romanian prince, Vlad the Impaler whose surname was Dracula/Drakulya/Draculea. His reputation for torture was perhaps exacerbated by propaganda, perhaps not. It's hard to say after 600 years. Nonetheless, even if a fraction of what he was reputed to have done were true, one would have to admit that truth is not only stranger, but even more terrifying than, fiction. His reputation, coupled with English Gothic superstition and customs were the driving influences of Bram Stoker's work.

Here are my own comments after I finally read the book:

I have to say that after avoiding this book for years -- decades -- due to film images based (very loosely as it turns out) upon the book, I am quite amazed at how much I enjoyed the book, the language and for the most part the writing. Horror without all the expected accompanying excesses. Horror with a proper sense of dread. Of course, there were the moments when the group of characters collectively ignore their own evidence -- which gave rise to this reader's ire. Wonder what readers in that day thought or if this is a modern response brought about by years of inundation with mediocre horror books and films?

Here are links to some Dracula discussions where I've made similar or further comments:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6444...

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6677...

So a while ago I decided to read more classic novels. I love vampires, and i was ashamed to say i never read Dracula. Now I have! But after reading the book I was mad. The Dracula in movies, is nothing like Bram Strokers Dracula. In movies, I feel as if Dracula should be pitied. Yet I don't pity him in the book. I want him to die. Over all I enjoyed the book. Anyone else read it? How did you feel about it?