From the Bookshelf of The Reading Challenge Group…

Dracula

Bram Stoker

Start date: October 1, 2014

Finish date: October 31, 2014

Discussion: Group Read Archive 2014-16

Discussion leader: Renee M

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Group Read Archive 2014-16

Genre Group Read (Humour) - December 2016 - You Are Not So Smart
By Allison , Quest Hound · 11 posts · 30 views

last updated Dec 28, 2016 04:05PM

Alternate Group Read (Classics) - December 2016 - Mansfield Park
By Allison , Quest Hound · 5 posts · 18 views

last updated Dec 04, 2016 09:34AM

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What Members Thought

Sep 21, 2014 Cindy (BKind2Books) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Bram Stoker's creation has seen many iterations since he first brought the character to "life" in 1897. These days we have vampires that glitter and vampires that are Masters of Saint Louis. There are vampires that are the result of nano-technology and vampires who are the results of ancient curses. However, Stoker would not recognize any of those vampires. His Dracula is a creature of pure unadulterated Evil. He has plotted and planned and now has set his plans in motion when young Jonathan Har Bram Stoker's creation has seen many iterations since he first brought the character to "life" in 1897. These days we have vampires that glitter and vampires that are Masters of Saint Louis. There are vampires that are the result of nano-technology and vampires who are the results of ancient curses. However, Stoker would not recognize any of those vampires. His Dracula is a creature of pure unadulterated Evil. He has plotted and planned and now has set his plans in motion when young Jonathan Harker comes from England to assist him in relocating from Transylvania. Jonathan slowly comes to the realization that all is not right at Castle Dracula and his escape is nothing less than heroic. The second part of the story revolves around the actions of Dracula as he moves to England. The story comes to a dramatic close as Dracula is pursued back to his home.

Some of the conventions of vampire lore are here - the abhorrence of all things Holy, garlic to ward off vampires, the stake through the heart. But there were other parts that were less so. Dracula is compelled to stay in his form at dawn but sunlight does not kill him (nor does he sparkle, but that's another story). He commands the wolves - but also rats and other lesser vermin.

There are many things which do date this story - the treatment of women as objects only to be sheltered from harsh realities and the subtle stereotyping of ethnic groups. But this was written over a century ago and from that perspective, it's treatment of women was almost enlightened. MIna is a valued contributor to the pursuit of Dracula. The book has a depth which none of the myriad of movies has been able to capture. Renfield has often been played as a buffoon, or a slavering minion, whereas in the book, he is neither. Renfield is a sympathetic character and even sacrifices himself for Mina. I liked the description within the book of Dracula's use of "this enlightened age" - Van Helsing states "when men believe not even what they see, the doubting of wise men would be his greatest strength."

This is definitely a classic that begs to be read - at the very least to compare it to the other works that follow - whether they are friendly vamps or not, Dracula set the bar that all the others that come later will be judged against.

So, curl up on an October night and read this tale. And if you should hear the howl of the wolf, think of the words of the Count, "Listen to them - the children of the night. What music they make!" ...more

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