FANGS and HEARTS week Review of Bram Stoker’s “DRACULA” and GIVEAWAY

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FANGS and HEARTS week Review of Bram Stoker’s “DRACULA” and GIVEAWAY

1899 Doubleday and McClure, First American edition, Dracula, by Bram Stoker.Use of the book cover in the article complies with Wikipedia non-free content policy and fair use under United States copyright law.

MY THOUGHTS OF
“DRACULA”
by BRAM STOKER
I think you all know the story of how my sister, Connie, and I used to watch Dark Shadows and other soaps together while her body was slowly dying and deteriorating with Leukemia. I would listen to her talk about the gorgeous men on the black and white RCA Television, and we would titter and laugh. She used to joke, “Maybe Barnabas Collins can give me a transfusion?” as our neighbor, who was a nurse, would hang the blood bag up on her hospital bed.

English: Bram Stoker (1847-1912), novelist born in Ireland, author of “Dracula” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Back then, they would keep you in the hospital; however, Connie begged to be home with us. So in Connie and I’s bedroom was a mini-hospital with hospital bed, small refrigerator for her meds and blood, her princess pink phone, and of course her TV hung on the wall by my brothers. My bed was in a corner and we used to talk away the hours together.
After she passed, became my obsession with Vampires and all the wonderful lore! My local library was divided into Children’s Literature on one side and Adult Literature on another. I would ‘sneak’ into the adult section and take down, Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” and read snippets at a time without getting caught, I might add! A feat many don’t think too great but you didn’t know the Librarians back home… grrr! However, my mother would have tanned my hind if she ever knew I read adult books like “Dracula” at my age.

All grown up and ready for a challenge I wrote “The Light-Bearer Series.” Of course there was a Blood-Hunter. Furthermore, he is a GORGEOUS Blood-Hunter!
I want to tell you the reason why I love “Dracula” so much!
“Dracula” was published in 1897. Stoker researches his novel in great detail and especially loved the lore of “Vlad the Impaler” who was a vampiric character on the fifteenth century Wallacian warrior prince, Vlad Dracule.
“Dracula” is written in a diary format. This is an ingenious tool to set up a half way believable story.

This image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.

Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania to set in order Count Dracula’s estate in England. This part of the story I thought to be rather unconventional because why would someone travel hundreds of miles to set an estate in order in another country. However, we would have never known of Dracula’s castle, the lack of mirrors in it and the Count not being seen during the day. Three mysterious women make contact with Harker who cannot resist their spell.
Jonathan writes, “I could feel the soft, shivering touch of the lips on the super-sensitive skin of my throat, and the hard dents of two sharp teeth, just touching and pausing there. I closed my eyes in a languorous ecstasy and waited–waited with beating heart.”
This in itself is suspenseful, horrible, and carnal.
Dracula comes to his come to England and soon Lucy Van Helsing is his victim. However, when he meets Mina Murray, who halfway in the story marries Harker, his cold stone heart turns. She also is drawn to him. Mina accepts him and even though she knows Dracula is death, she wants him! A love that is desperate, provocative and timeless. We learn that Dracula’s intentions are to propagate his race with Mina, his love.
My thoughts are Good vs. Evil is supposed to be the idea here. However, I believe that Stoker thought in the Victorian age, who was really evil? Was it the land owners and shopkeepers who forced their workers into slavery for mere survival?

This file is ineligible for copyright and therefore in the public domain.

Also, I believe that Stoker was also giving women a fair hand. After all, the three vixens dominated Harker. Mina, Dracula’s love was willful and headstrong. I loved how he featured strength in women with intelligence!
However, Mina wills herself to drag herself into the good. She actually helps ambush Dracula in the end. Something that is abhorrent to her but she is NOT a damsel-in-distress. She is strong, independent and personally tough!
Okay, now you know in detail why I was drawn to Bram Stoker’s Dracula and the concepts and pretext why I wrote “The Light-Bearer Series.”
Always and forever will Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” be a horror treat and classic story with a five star rating!

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“Night of the Hunter”
I love this song! Epitome of what I believe “Dracula” would feel like if he were walking around today!
http://youtu.be/dDoZowtoRJo

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Movie poster for the 1979 film Dracula qualifies as fair use under United States copyright law. Any other uses of this image, on Wikipedia or elsewhere, may be copyright infringement. See Wikipedia:Non-free content for more information.

“DRACULA”
The Movie
No movie, in my estimation has ever been able to compare to Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.”
However, for sheer sensuality and corporeal entertainment, my favorite movie is the 1979 version, “Dracula.”
It was directed by John Badham. The cinematography was sublime.
Laurence Olivier gives a classic performance as Professor Van Helsing also.
In addition, the music was luscious as only John Williams could compose.

Courtesy IMBD http://www.imdb.com/media/rm310801817...

It starred then a gloriously handsome Frank Langella… OH MY!!!!
Langella at that time, was drop dead gorgeous!
Langella’s eyes were hypnotic on the screen. His gait and stature were perfect and his voice was powerful and enticing. In addition, his hands were so wonderful, I don’t know why but I just wanted him to possess me with his hands.
The whole movie, “Dracula,” was a sensual delight!
I had to throw this in my post because I love, love, love this movie! Like I said, not like the book but oh my…. it is worth watching!

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GIVEAWAY TIME!
I will gift the paperback of
Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” through Amazon to two lucky people (US/UK)
who answer this question:
“Why do you think people love the horror tale “Dracula”?
Please leave your email address

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