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

[Faye, The Dickens Junkie]

You know... I think I might re-read this. I got it for my birthday last year (I'd read a library copy, loved it, wanted a copy of my own), but the spine has never yet been cracked! I've been chipping away at Cousin Bette for over a month now, but it's just not holding my interest. I only get a few minutes a day to read these days, and I actually find myself giving up those few minutes in order to do something else, because I don't want to read that particular book.

So yes. I think a Dracula re-read is just what the doctor ordered. :)

[Holly, That Geeky One]

Yes, Faye! Re-read for the win!

Was anyone else surprised by how little Dracula was actually in the novel? I expected him to be far more padded out and defined as a character, rather than it being more focused on Helsing's analysis of the species.

[Faye, The Dickens Junkie]

Holly wrote: "Was anyone else surprised by how little Dracula was actually in the novel? I expected him to be far more padded out and defined as a character, rather than it being more focused on Helsing's analysis of the species."

That was what surprised me the most. It's not your typical vampire novel, that's for sure.

[Holly, That Geeky One]

Especially since it is considered the most typical vampire novel of all time.

[Faye, The Dickens Junkie]

Holly wrote: "Especially since it is considered the most typical vampire novel of all time."

It's certainly the most important! I wish more vampire writers emulated Bram Stoker rather than... well, absolutely any other vampire writer, heh.

[Holly, That Geeky One]

Vampire novels have definitely changed direction!

After reading this, I really want to check out Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu.

EDIT: Just realised it's only like 100 pages. Definitely reading it for the Readathon!

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

A good choice for that. I read Carmilla last October. It's creepy fun.

[Holly, That Geeky One]

I swear you have read everything, Renee!

[Faye, The Dickens Junkie]

Iasa wrote: "Dracula is a very popular read in all the groups; I must admit I'm taken aback by how many people were surprised they liked the book. If it's not being nosy, what were people expecting?"

Speaking personally - "I vahnt to sahk your blahd!" And "Miiiinaaaaaaa!" And swooning. And general cheesiness. And, you know... vampires. ;)

[Holly, That Geeky One]

Oh my god, Faye, that made me laugh.

I wasn't expecting it to be such a adventure novel as such, with a team of characters fighting off evil. I knew of Lucy, but little of Mina. Generally, I just think my original perceptions were far different to what it was. I expected it to be far more like Frankenstein, a bit more philosophical and dark. Instead, the humour surprised me.

[Karen]

Now I'm curious... I think I shall have to pick this up

[Holly, That Geeky One]

Dracula is spreading!

[Becca]

I certainly was surprise just how little we "see" of Dracula himself.

[Melissa]

So at the end of Chapter 13, in a newspaper article it refers to 'Bloofer Lady', I've read three different ideas on what this means, does anyone have an definite thoughts?

[Faye, The Dickens Junkie]

Melissa wrote: "So at the end of Chapter 13, in a newspaper article it refers to 'Bloofer Lady', I've read three different ideas on what this means, does anyone have an definite thoughts?"

It's supposed to be a child's mispronunciation of "beautiful", I think.

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

I agree with mispronunciation theory. Although, why there's an "L" in it, I couldn't guess.

[Melissa]

Yes, the first "beautiful."
the second, bloof somebody said meant random -- random lady; the third, a childish pronunciation of 'bloodsucker' or this is where I found this stuff --

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/in....

So I didn't know if out of the three or maybe other thoughts on what the author was actually meaning. All three make sense to me.

[Miss]

Here I thought I'd missed something when the "bloofer" lady appeared! (Sometimes my mind wanders when listening to an audiobook.)
I assumed it was a name from a local myth - thanks for the explanations.

[Cindy (BKind2Books)]

Iasa wrote: "Dracula is a very popular read in all the groups; I must admit I'm taken aback by how many people were surprised they liked the book. If it's not being nosy, what were people expecting?"

Although there was no "I vant to drink your blud", there was the "Listen to them - the children of the night! What music they make!"

Classic quote :)

[Faye, The Dickens Junkie]

Cindy wrote: "Iasa wrote: "Dracula is a very popular read in all the groups; I must admit I'm taken aback by how many people were surprised they liked the book. If it's not being nosy, what were people expectin..."

LOL That one actually made me squee... and put Music of the Night in my head for the rest of the week. ;)

[Melissa]

Oh Lucy, what have you become? And what will your lovers do?

[Melissa]

Being in Chapter 18, I love how for the love of the same person that five people come together for a common cause and form a family or at least the very beginnings of a close friendship.

[Heather]

I'm a little behind the game, I only started Dracula this weekend, but I am already hooked!

[Melissa]

Welcome Heather, it only gets better! What do think of storytelling through letters and journals?

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Yeah. I wanted to say they form a band of brothers and kick vampire behind. The joining of heroes was my favorite part.

[Melissa]

I would love to be reading through the manuscripts with a brandy, sitting next to a fire discussing the eerie existence of vampires. But because I'm a chicken shit, I'd be glad to be at home baking and making tea for the band of brothers return. What a lovely group.

[Renee, Mistress of the Mini-Challenge]

Lol. All contributions are important! I'd love homemade cookies and a glass of cold milk after a night out vanquishing the undead.

[Melissa]

We have a team started! Yah! It's the camaraderie in front of the fire after the vanquishing has been done that sounds so appealing.

But the boys just took Mina off the team. For Crying out loud! Men! (No offense boys, just those from the olden days!) :D

And one other thing, are they (the boys) paying any attention to Mina's health, especially after all that has happened? Sooo frustrating!

[Melissa]

"Darkness, lapping water and creaking wood," and I enter into the last chapter....

[Melissa]

And now I'm on the other side to say, "A most satisfying read!" With villains, heroes, a heroine, adventure, and one must enter the darkness to come into the light -- read you must...

[Kassandra]

I can't wait to get started on this one during the readathon!

[Lucy]

Kassandra, same here! I was going to read it earlier, but have decided to save it for the readathon. Excited now! I've wanted to read it for ages.

[Melissa]

Enjoy, Girls!

[Faye, The Dickens Junkie]

Ahh, Van Helsing, how I love thee... and how I want to smack silly everyone who mucks up your vamp-deterrents...