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Dracula, by Bram Stoker
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And I finished Dracula, a bit different then expected but I liked it, although the ending was a bit to quick.
I also have this listed for my book #16. I look forward to this discussion once I get there. :)
I've got this down for Week 43 (bump in the night) - I think I started this years ago, but never finished it. I'm really looking forward to reading it though!
Jody wrote: "I've got this down for Week 43 (bump in the night) - I think I started this years ago, but never finished it. I'm really looking forward to reading it though!"I've picked for that week as well. I think I'll be reading it soon. It's one of the books I'm looking most forward to!
Dracula is on my 2016 Rejects list, one of the "makes you uncomfortable" books. The other is Frankenstein. I don't enjoy horror particularly, but here goes.
I read this one last year. It is not as scary by today's standards and a little boring in parts. It is worth the read though.
Oh, Aglaea ... Frankenstein is absolutely wonderful! It took me completely by surprise when I read it last year. It's really moving ... certainly not what I expected at all.
Aglaea, I can only agree with Jody, you should not consider Frankenstein as a horror book, it's really touching.
Sophie wrote: "Aglaea, I can only agree with Jody, you should not consider Frankenstein as a horror book, it's really touching."Oh, you don't want to be in my science fiction group. We've had a whole argument about whether or not Frankenstein is science fiction or horror.
Dracula and Frankenstein are too of my favorites that I re-read at least every other year.
I have a great audiobook of Dracula with Tim Curry and Alan Cumming narrating.
I have this on my list for later on this year (a book about something that goes bump in the night), but I'm debating if I should switch it out. I want to read it, but I'm having trouble getting motivated to start.
I wasn't blown away. It was worth reading, and I'm glad that I did. It was quite slow for long stretches and then would have amazing bits that almost made the wait worth it.The format is a very solid idea, but wasn't executed well. It's told through a collection of Diary entries, memos, letters, and occasionally newspaper articles. The only issue with this is that these often lapse out of their genre formats and just become sections of a novel. Having long bits of dialog in a diary is jarring (especially when you realize that one of the diaries is dictated, so there is apparently a man acting out both sides of a conversation into a recording device). But this gets worse for the newspaper articles as I can't honestly believe that either of those would have seen publication (too long for one, too wordy, bits of dialog and worse of all Dialog in phonetic representation of an accent... in a newspaper...)
My real issue, though, is a few cases of the characters overlooking something very obvious or making very poor decisions just because the plot required it. This is always a pet peeve of mine and Dracula does not escape this, hell it might of helped make it popular.
On the plus side, I did have nightmares. So: solid job on setting a dark mood. (Though my nightmares all dealt with my daughter being in danger and not the supernatural).
J wrote: "I wasn't blown away. It was worth reading, and I'm glad that I did. It was quite slow for long stretches and then would have amazing bits that almost made the wait worth it.The format is a very s..."
At this time, many books were written in an epistolary (in letters) format. Frankenstein was like this too.
J wrote: "I wasn't blown away. It was worth reading, and I'm glad that I did. It was quite slow for long stretches and then would have amazing bits that almost made the wait worth it.The format is a very s..."
Well, that just gave me the hilarious mental image of a guy very dramatically acting out both parts of the conversation as he narrates into a device...
^There were a lot of scenes which seemed to me to be straight out of a Monty Python sketch. Maybe its the very formal language tied to the rather serious subject matter. In particular (view spoiler)
Dracula
I am just starting to read this for the first time. I am reading it for my 2016 Topic Discard Challenge, a book released 100 years before you were born. I've seen several of the movie adaptions of the book and have really enjoyed them, so I am looking forward to finally reading the inspiration for the films I like.
I just finished it. It was a bit more dry (drawn out?) than I was expecting, but I really liked it and am glad I finally got around to reading it.4/5
Absolutely fabulous! I thought I was done with vampires after the first two books of Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire series, but this timeless novel, read for Week 16, offered another good dose of the evil, but pitiful, Un-dead.Even though the writing style was a bit dated, it was relatively easy to follow. I found that in comparison to the other main characters' journals, Stoker imbued Mina Harker's journal with the loveliest prose and an effortless flow.
Besides the obvious horror factor, I love the camaraderie that exists between Van Helsing and his dashing and brave "soldiers" -- John Seward, Lord Goldaming, Quincey Morris (the oft-quoted, loveable Texan) and Jonathan Harker who fearlessly hunt down the Big D to save the souls of Lucy, Mina and the countless innocents who came thisclose to falling prey to Count Dracula.
Having read this book immediately following the abominable US election, a book about bloodsuckers seemed most fitting. I was also reminded of the sexy, romantic 1992 film "Bram Stoker's Dracula" starring Gary Oldman, Keanu Reaves, Anthony Hopkins and Winona Rider as Mina and must see it again soon one blustery, Transylvanian-like day.
Mina's role in the book is different from that of the Coppola-directed movie, but both versions are epic. If anything, I had one silly complaint: in the movie, when Dracula takes Mina to a picture show in London and tries to seduce her, he huskily whispers, "I have crossed oceans of time to find you." This is one of the most romantic movie lines in history! Yet, I didn't come across it in the novel. Wah.
Mina is definitely my new favorite heroine; kudos to Stoker for creating this late 19th c. woman who's strong, intelligent, fearless, loving, yet still vulnerable to the charms of CD. Plus, she actually asked to visit Renfield, a local, bug-eating madman locked inside his insane asylum cell! Madam Mina proved essential in her writing/typing (okay, let's not forget it's still the 19th c.) skills and without her, the five gallants would never have succeeded in their wild pursuit of Dracula. I nominate her to lead the Pantsuit Nation! She would be a fine woman to help out and lead us during these most distressing of times.
Stacey I love your review. I found the boom dry and slow in places, but agree Mins was a strong female character. Now I want.t to watch the Dracula movie you mentioned.
I looooooved that version of the movie, although it has been many years since I've seen it. But Gary Oldman ... well, he is amazing in everything.
Anastasia wrote: "Stacey I love your review. I found the boom dry and slow in places, but agree Mins was a strong female character. Now I want.t to watch the Dracula movie you mentioned."
Thanks, Anastasia. I loved how Mina brings those boys together! Even her love for Jonathan didn't stop her from doing "un-lady-like" stuff.
Agreed. It's time for a date with the couch, some snacks and that movie...
Jody wrote: "I looooooved that version of the movie, although it has been many years since I've seen it. But Gary Oldman ... well, he is amazing in everything."Agreed. He was so hot back then....and great in every role he takes on.
I read this book as my 2017 Week 39 epistolary fiction. It differed somewhat from my expectations, but these differences did not detract from my enjoyment of it. I bet this story made an awesome radio series in days of old.
Andrea - I have a very good audiobook of this with many voices headlined by Tim Curry and Alan Cumming.
I was sorely tempted to check out the BBC Radio Horror Series version, but your suggestion sounds much better! Thanks
If you have an Audible account, it's an Audible Signature edition.
Am I the only one who found it funny? Not a horror by today's standards at all. It was worth the read for sure, but not at all what I expected. I think I laughed out loud at some parts!
Just finished watching Bram Stoners Dracula. It is amazing how closely he follows the book. I also never thought of it as a really twisted love story before. Van Heislings mixture of science and religion is interesting too. That science and God working together defeat evil.
Aglaea wrote: "Dracula is on my 2016 Rejects list, one of the "makes you uncomfortable" books. The other is Frankenstein. I don't enjoy horror particularly, but here goes."I read both in 2016. Neither one is the least bit scary! Frankenstein is actually rather odd and not like the movies that have been made. Dracula was actually rather boring for the first 250 pages. It gets better as it goes on.
MJ wrote: "Am I the only one who found it funny? Not a horror by today's standards at all."
You should read J's spoiler version listed above. It is hilarious! I can no longer think of this book without envisioning the Python crew and cracking a smile.
Personally, I only found some subtle humor in it; but then again, I also viewed the story more as an early investigative set of records. My copy had a wonderful introduction by Anthony Boucher that helped to introduce the author and transport me back to Victorian England.
The narrative was rather formal, which in our eyes may have made the tale seem overly dramatic to the point of silliness. Perhaps it was used to give the account an air of professional authenticity? I thought that the various entries contained unusually strong voices. They impressed yet confused me. How many people could capture authentic dialects, from the non-slang English of Mina to the American twang of Quincey to the slightly broken English of Van Helsing, in diaries? They were an extraordinary group of characters, but still . . .
As an additional note, this spoiler link will take you to a really informative article about the book that recently appeared on the Literary Hub site. I like the author's opinion of the original text.
(view spoiler)
I just finished this book, and I really enjoyed it. I've never seen the movie so I went into this fairly blind. I know the basics of the Dracula story (ie. the characteristics of vampires, the three vampire women), but I knew very little of the plot itself. I enjoyed the majority of the story, but I found last quarter or so really dragged. I'm almost tempted to give it the benefit of the doubt and round my rating up because I read the last part while sick, so I had trouble focusing on it. I'm still not sure if it was because of the book itself, or because of how I was feeling. I found the ending a little anti-climatic, and there was way more lead-up to the final scene than there was of an actual confrontation.
I loved the earlier parts of the story, especially the section that focused primarily on Lucy. I liked the epistolary style most of the time, although I agree that it wasn't always the most realistic. I doubt anyone really remembers word for word what was said during a conversation (and the hilarious image of a man dramatically recreating both sides of a conversation into a phonograph still stands!). I also found it annoying at times when Stoker tried to capture dialect by writing it out phonetically. Granted, I don't know of any better way to do it, but there were certain characters (Mr. Swales, for example) that I just couldn't understand at all.
I unexpectedly loved this book.Dracula was on my list of classics, but I was not looking forward to it - vampire, blood, horror, blah, blah, blah. Well, there were vampires, blood and horror, but no blah. It was an exciting adventure and mystery story, well written, well paced, that kept me hooked. I relished discovering the original of all the vampire tropes we see - the coffin, the transformations, garlic, stakes, crucifixes, the castle, the teeth, etc. I especially enjoyed the character of Mina as a strong, self-starter woman, who is the brains of the vampire hunters. Such a rarity to have a strong female in the literature of the time. Hats off, Mr. Bram Stoker!
I listened to the full-cast Audible production, led by Alan Cumming and Tim Curry. It is superb and free on Amazon Prime, I highly recommend it!
It's a great audio production, isn't it???
Rachel, I did find tge end abrupt as well. A huge build up, I would have liked a dramatic showdown! But I guess the ending was probably dramatic enough for the time.
Many mentioned that they found the epistolary format hard to follow. However, in the full cast audio, this was really great. We get to hear multiple voices, and each adds a different perspective. Yes, there was dialogue in the entries, each read by the diary writer, but it made sense in the audio. I also never felt that there were boring parts, again, probably due to the narrators' performance.I usually take my time with audio, because I just listen when I drive and do chores, and read when I can take the time. But I was so into this one that I listened even when I normally read, so I got through it fast.
I just finished it! I love classic monsters but, surprisingly, have never read any of the classic Gothic novels. I really liked how the story was told. It was far different from what I expected but I found it interesting. It kept my attention all the way to the end. I agree with others and thought that the end happened pretty abruptly. I liked it overall, though!
Ok, so I didn't get to this in 2016, but I've just started it for AtY 2018, Week 7 (A gothic novel). I really can't believe that I haven't gotten around to reading this one yet, and I'm really looking forward to it. I'll be picturing Gary Oldman as Dracula. Mmm.
Gary Oldman = most versatile actor ever. I'm planning to read Dracula for this topic as well and read it in February. Maybe I'll pull it up to the beginning of February.
He is incredible. I'm so glad that it's looking likely that he'll finally win an Oscar this year. It's so very overdue.
I'm really hoping to read this one this year. I have it slotted for about 5 places on my plan. When I looked at the book list for gothic I had a ton of them I've read. Apparently gothic is my favorite genre. I have this book sitting on my nightstand. I just have to get through all the group and buddy reads so I can read it. On a longer month I'm hoping to sneak it on the end of the month. Maybe March will work.
I ended up really enjoying this! I liked the epistolary format, and that it jumped around between perspectives - for me, that helped keep it fresh, and for the most part fairly well-paced. Mina was a pleasant surprise, after being so familiar with the Winona Ryder movie version of the character. She was strong, had a brain, used it, and was integral to the whole plan - and not just as bait.The depiction of Dracula in the book and the 1992 movie are worlds apart, but I've definitely plans to watch it again. Sixteen year old me loooooved that movie.
I read this for 2018’s Week 7: a gothic novel. I really enjoyed the ‘gothic’ aspect, it was a tad over-the-top and there was a underlying sensuality and decadence which I imagine would have been a little shocking to Victorian readers, I really liked the depiction of Mina as a strong female character, she clearly had brains and wasn’t afraid to use them. Her relationship with Johathon was very much an equal meeting of minds.
I've just started reading this one. Right now I have a feeling it will take me a while getting through it but I hope the pace will pick up once I get a little further.I haven't seen the movie so I have no expectations but it's a must read classic in my opinion.
I just finished this and I did like it. But it was frightening and I don't see it as a horror book. I suppose it could have been when it was written, but today there are so many stories about vampires and I feel like a lot of things have been taken out of this book regarding them.
Around the Year in 52 Books
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Interview with the Vampire (other topics)Dracula (other topics)
Dracula (other topics)
From Goodreads:
Collected inside this book are diary entries, letters and newspaper clippings that piece together the depraved story of the ultimate predator. A young lawyer on an assignment finds himself imprisoned in a Transylvanian castle by his mysterious host. Back at home his fiancée and friends are menaced by a malevolent force which seems intent on imposing suffering and destruction. Can the devil really have arrived on England's shores? And what is it that he hungers for so desperately?