April 2019 Group Read: Dracul by JD Barker

[Laurie (barksbooks)]

I love Matilda. That is all. For now.

[Lisa]

Char wrote: "I thought it started a little slow, but I'm around 30% now and having a good time.
I was wondering if Stoker's roommate that was [spoilers removed]"

Me too! And, wow, that was creepy!

[Kari]

Bark (2 Dumb 2 Read Blurbs) wrote: "I love Matilda. That is all. For now."

Yes, I totally feel this! There was not enough Matilda POV for me! :)

[Char]

I'm just over halfway through and I'm enjoying it immensely now.
The tension is starting to hum.
(view spoiler)[ I really freaked out when Bram and Matilda went to dig up that grave and all the cockroaches came out! (hide spoiler)]

*SHUDDER*

[Eve]

Krystal wrote: "Ok look I just finished it and kinda wish I hadn't read the Author's Note because I'm just really confused haha."

Same! That really threw me for a loop and made me look at both books differently...and not necessarily in a good way. (view spoiler)[I like works of horror fiction, and I don't actually believe in stuff like this so it makes me feel weird that Bram (and Dacre to a certain extent) believe what they're writing! (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

Eve wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Ok look I just finished it and kinda wish I hadn't read the Author's Note because I'm just really confused haha."

Same! That really threw me for a loop and made me look at both boo..."

Yes I'm really struggling with it! I mean, IS it a spoiler?! I feel like I would have liked to have known that info going into this?

Here's my review for those interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kari]

Eve wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Ok look I just finished it and kinda wish I hadn't read the Author's Note because I'm just really confused haha."

Same! That really threw me for a loop and made me look at both boo..."

I don't necessarily believe in the supernatural and stuff like that, but I find people interesting in general and I liked the extra context for why/how Bram came up with the story. I guess you never know how people interpret events that happen to them? And it seems something definitely happened to him, even if it wasn't what he thought it was. Plus, it's just an intriguing tidbit about who he was. Like Arthur Conan Doyle being a spiritualist and coming up with the rational Sherlock Holmes character. Just kind of fascinating.

[Dustin]

Krystal wrote: "Eve wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Ok look I just finished it and kinda wish I hadn't read the Author's Note because I'm just really confused haha."

Same! That really threw me for a loop and made me look..."

Nice review, Krystal. :) I enjoyed it a lot.
I haven't read the book, but sounds like fiction. Perhaps the author's note was intentionally confusing..? Another element of mysteriousness? That is my take.

[Cujo]

Overall I thought it was really good but I was a little disappointed with the ending. I thought it would've been the perfect spot to insert Renfeild

[Krystal]

Dustin wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Eve wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Ok look I just finished it and kinda wish I hadn't read the Author's Note because I'm just really confused haha."

Same! That really threw me for a loop ..."

Thanks Dustin! If the author's note was also fiction I must applaud. It's definitely messing with me haha

[Krystal]

Kari wrote: "Eve wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Ok look I just finished it and kinda wish I hadn't read the Author's Note because I'm just really confused haha."

Same! That really threw me for a loop and made me look..."

I agree that it does make Bram Stoker a lot more interesting!

[Dustin]

Krystal wrote: "Dustin wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Eve wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Ok look I just finished it and kinda wish I hadn't read the Author's Note because I'm just really confused haha."

Same! That really threw..."

You're welcome. It's so frustrating when the conclusion doesn't add to an overall enjoyable experience.

[Laurie (barksbooks)]

Parts of this book are incredibly gruesome. I love it!

[jamako]

Damn, I really wanted to participate in this one but have to finish my thesis and barely manage to read some Drizzt books on the side :/

After reading the comments I definitely look forward to reading this one in April.

[Char]

Cujo wrote: "Overall I thought it was really good but I was a little disappointed with the ending. I thought it would've been the perfect spot to insert Renfeild"

I was looking for Renfield!

[Char]

I liked the notes at the end. (view spoiler)[ It doesn't matter to me whether or not the authors or their ancestors for that matter, believed this story to be true. And who knows, maybe it is? I LOVED seeing the hand written notes of Bram's and I would hop on the chance to see them in person. (hide spoiler)]

[Dustin]

Char wrote: "I liked the notes at the end. [spoilers removed]"

Nice little review!😊

[Kat, lover of bears...]

The author's note at the beginning of this book makes the book all the more incredible. Dacre Stoker, Great-Grand Nephew of Bram Stoker used notes make by his Great Grand Uncle, Bram, to create a story that is not only an honor to Bram's Dracula, but a prequel worthy of carrying the Stoker name.

I have 3 books that I consider my All Time Favorite Books. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen; Watchers, Dean Koontz; and Dracula, Bram Stoker. I have read each of these books multiple times and go back to them over and over again when I need a comforting read.

Dracul was so engaging, so vivid, so Stoker, that I was sad when it ended. It sets up Dracula in a way that couldn't be more perfect unless Bram Stoker wrote it himself (which given the notes he left, he may have). I will definitely be reading this book again and again. It was completely Stoker-worthy for me.

Re: Narration: a full cast of narrators usually means moments of startles when one voice switches to another. This narration was so fluid, I sometimes didn't realize there were different narrators.

Full cast:
Pete Bradbury, Narrator
Vikas Adam, as Bram Stoker
Saskia Maarleveld, as Matilda Stoker
Raphael Corkhill, as Thornley Stoker
Alana Kerr Collins, as Ellen
Allan Corduner, as Arminius Vambéry

[Vickie]

Agree with both of you, Char and Kat, well said!😊

[Krystal]

Kat wrote: "The author's note at the beginning of this book makes the book all the more incredible. Dacre Stoker, Great-Grand Nephew of Bram Stoker used notes make by his Great Grand Uncle, Bram, to create a s..."

I'm glad your author's note was at the beginning, that makes me certain it's not a spoiler haha.

(view spoiler)[Though I did love the handwritten ones, Char! (hide spoiler)]

Bram was clearly a fascinating man, I'd have loved to meet him. Finally when people ask that 'what dead people would you invite to a dinner party' question I have another name haha

[Dustin]

Fascinating insights, Kat!

[Char]

Vickie wrote: "Agree with both of you, Char and Kat, well said!😊"

Thanks, Vickie!

[Laurie (barksbooks)]

I really enjoyed reading this book and reading everyone's thoughts. Thank you all for making me bump it up in my tbr pile!

[Jen]

I'm glad so many people liked this book. It was one of my faves and I was fortunate enough to read it around Halloween last year. I hope Barker writes another one!

[Lisa]

I’m greatly enjoying this book - the characters, the unveiling of the aspects of the legend, the settings, the tone. The multiple perspectives work well, depicting varying levels of belief and skepticism, and Matilda’s letters to Ellen add yet another interesting storytelling method. I love her tone in them, she does not succumb to her emotions, instead maintaining such an organized, curious voice.

[Char]

Glad to hear you're enjoying it, Lisa!

[Dustin]

Hi, great insight, Lisa!

[Lisa]

Dustin wrote: "Hi, great insight, Lisa!"

Thanks, guys!

[Dustin]

Lisa wrote: "Dustin wrote: "Hi, great insight, Lisa!"

Thanks, guys!"

😎