Genre Group Read (October 2014) - Dracula, by Bram Stoker

[Kassandra]

Dracula will be this month's Genre Group Read (Horror) - a spooky thrill just in time for Halloween! Discussion can begin on October 1st.

Discussion leader: Renee

[Roseanne]

I read this years ago. I love that this and Frankenstein are on the same month. The book I had was both Dracula and Frankenstein in one volume.

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Since Holly is taking point on Frankenstein, I'd be happy to lead the discussion for Dracula.

[Kassandra]

Fantastic! Thanks for volunteering Renee!

[Cindy (BKind2Books)]

Yay! Just started reading Dracula a few days ago - don't know how I missed this with all the vampire fiction I've read.

[Miss]

I downloaded the Librivox recording (not the best narrator but...) and began listening yesterday. Immediately engrossing!
I think I'll enjoy this selection :)

[Melissa]

I'll be opening this up on Oct. 1, trying to finish two others before the September deadline.

[Camille]

I read it a few years ago. I remember being surprised, as I knew nothing about the format of the book and I only knew about the general knowledge of Dracula. I did like it, though!

[Holly, That Geeky One]

I'd love to read this with everyone (it's a book I've been meaning to get to forever), but I probably won't have the time with all my uni reading! I will attempt it though!

[Lucy]

So thrilled this was chosen - I've been meaning to read it for ages. Happy to finally dust off my copy and get started! (As soon as I am done with A Feast for Crows...)

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

October has begun! How goes it with Dracula? Have you started? Are you finding it fascinating or dated? Has it been well-adapted to the big screen?

[Holly, That Geeky One]

I got it from the library, and is proudly sitting on my desk. I glanced at the first page, and the format (seemingly diary) might be a bit hard to get into. I will get to it once I've finished The Castle of Otranto.

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

I haven't started yet, either. I did download the audio, though. ;)

[Holly, That Geeky One]

I might do that!

[Cindy (BKind2Books)]

I am little over halfway through and I like it. There are things that are dated but not any more than any other turn-of-the-century classic.

[Becca]

I just started it last night. Liking it so far.

[Miss]

I'm a little over halfway & am really impressed by how close the Coppola film is to the book (admittedly campy but one of my favourite films).

Once I made it through Jonathan's descriptions of the country-side, I've greatly enjoyed the story.

Word of warning to anyone contemplating the Librivox recordings -- the readers of Dr. Seward & Jonathan Harker are truly terrible. I think that gives extra credit to the story itself that I continue to listen when the narration is halting & poorly punctuated.
The female roles are delightfully voiced however.

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Miss-
Thanks for the Librivox update. I'll keep that in mind.

[Candy]

I have the annotated version of this novel and I find I get so distracted reading all the history and fables that I have never actually read the book itself. So I look forward to reading just the book this month!

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

The annotated version sounds really cool and interesting, though.

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

"Memo: I must ask the Count about these superstitions." Whahahah!

Also, did he say "in the simple style of the London cat's meat???" Blech!

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Are you sure? Cause it certainly sounded like a Victorian street vendor delicacy. Why would you roast Kitty's dinner over a fire with onions? I think you might be giving Harker the benefit of the doubt. I think he doesn't own "pets." (But I'll Google anyway ) ;)

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

You are totally correct! Phew! Harker's pets are safe, after all. ^..^
> <

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

I'm not using Librivox for this. I downloaded an audio file from my local library. The narrator is John Lee. He's superb.

[Melissa]

Is anybody on Chapter 5?

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Just starting Five, Melissa.

[Melissa]

YAH! Looking forward to you thoughts.

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

LOL. We seem to have left poor Jonathan hanging off the side of a castle, and taken residence in Girl's Town. Chapter 5 cracked me up.

Interesting choice as a writer, though. A break like that. I was quite caught up in Jonathan's story before we ditched him. I wonder what the first draft looked like. If it started with Mina and Lucy, or with the ghost ship, or actually with Jonathan's account as it does now.

[Melissa]

When you read Chapter 5, could you tell a man wrote this book especially when I read this part I didn't know whether to laugh or retch, "My dear Mina, why are men so noble when we women are so little worthy of them?" Seriously, is that what men thought we should think of them! Oh, yes, of course, this is before the 1970's. :D

[Miss]

Lol - there are a few such moments.

There are also instances of high blown praise of the women's good & godly qualities that assure the men the battle they wage is one worth all the danger & risk and I shake my head because really? She just ordered lunch.

I wish it were so easy to impress anyone!

[Miss]

Lol - there are a few such moments.

There are also instances of high blown praise of the women's good & godly qualities that assure the men the battle they wage is one worth all the danger & risk and I shake my head because really? She just ordered lunch.

I wish it were so easy to impress anyone!

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Hahaha! I LOVE that line! What are we undeserving women thinking???

[Melissa]

LOL! Humor vs. Horror - which?

[Overbooked ✎]

I'm really enjoying my re-read of Dracula!

I found another pearl at chapter 12:

‘A brave man’s blood is the best thing on this earth when a woman is in trouble.'

and even had a chuckle today when I saw:

"Doctor, you don’t know what it is to doubt everything, even yourself. No, you don’t; you couldn’t with eyebrows like yours.’

I'd take humour anytime

[Cindy (BKind2Books)]

Finished this and liked it - as always so much more depth. None of the movies come close.

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

I just can't get over how good this is!

[Miss]

I loved that line about the eyebrows.

I've really been enjoying this book - I'm also amazed by the history of London - I live in such a relatively new place that street names lasting over a hundred years is incredible to me. It's a fascinating diversion getting a glimpse into a city's past & influence on literary culture.

[Holly, That Geeky One]

I really need to get into this...

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Holly-
I found it much, much more entertaining than expected. Once I started it was my "go to" read for every spare moment.

Miss-
What a terrific little perk!

[Holly, That Geeky One]

I'll try finish The Shadow of the Wind first, then I'll really dive into it. If I start it properly now, I'll never finish the one I'm currently reading!

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

I loved this book. There was so much that movies leave out or change but I have to say I went to see the movie Dracula Untold yesterday and it was really good and there was some part in it that reminded me of this book. It even told you how and why dracula became who he is. When i first saw this book in my sons hand and he told me that it was a class read, I knew that he was going to be intimidade by the size so I offered to read it with him. When we had so much fun talking about the book that he had to admit that when he first saw the book he thought that it was going to be a boring book but was wrong. You will really enjoy this book.

[Laura]

halfway through and loving it so far!!!

[Amber]

I listened to a BBC audiobook and it was pretty good.

[Holly, That Geeky One]

Nearing the half way point of this novel and finding it absolutely wonderful! Although different to what I expected, it's a joy to read! I can tell tonight is going to be a late reading night!

[Holly, That Geeky One]

And loving the hints of sarcasm and humour, this from Chapter 15:

Dr Seward: I am satisfied that Lucy's body is not in that coffin; but that only proves one thing.
Helsing: And what is that, friend John?
Dr Seward: That it is not there.

[Heather]

I'm starting Dracula this weekend & having read all these comments I can't wait to get stuck into it!

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Lol. Dracula has been big sell this month. I was so happily surprised by what a great read it was. I've worked it into conversation with everyone I know. I should be getting royalties. :)

[Lauren]

One of my favourite books, glad you're all enjoying it (and highly tempted to a re-read).

[Holly, That Geeky One]

It's definitely been a big hit!

[Faye, The Dickens Junkie]

Holly wrote: "And loving the hints of sarcasm and humour, this from Chapter 15:

Dr Seward: I am satisfied that Lucy's body is not in that coffin; but that only proves one thing.
Helsing: And what is that, frien..."

I loved these guys. :D