Dracula, part 1; ch. 1-4

[Jamie]

Yes I was wondering if that part of the book was talking about him. His brother Radu and himself were given as hostages by their father to the Ottomans. Radu converted to Islam and joined the Ottoman court. He saw his brother as the enemy.

[Jamie]

What Vampire Encyclopedia do you have Silver? It sounds interesting!

[Amalie]

Silver wrote: "Jamie wrote: "From the beginning I have wondered if Harker's boss has another reason besides his health for not going to see the count?

Also in Transylvania from 1431-1470 there was a Vlad III D..."


Interesting research Silver. I'm not so keen in Gothic novels but I always found this one to be the best.

I also saw somewhere to what you're referring to - Vlad the Impaler/ Vlad III and the name Dracula means "Son of Dracul" and his father was Vlad II Dracul.

[Silver]

Jamie wrote: "What Vampire Encyclopedia do you have Silver? It sounds interesting!"

It is called "The Vampire Book" and the one I have is the 2nd edition, by J. Gordon Melton.

[Rhea]

Jamie wrote: "From the beginning I have wondered if Harker's boss has another reason besides his health for not going to see the count? "

That's something even I've been wondering about.. Maybe he just didn't want to travel all the way to Transylvania.. Or maybe there's something more to it..

[Gaijinmama]

Glad to be joining you.
Harker's boss was quite ill. I won't spoil it for those who are just starting the book but
anyway, we'll find out later just how ill. Anyway, I think that is reason enough for him to send Harker into the wilds of rural Eastern Europe.

I think what creeps me out the most is the sheer isolation of people in that time and place. No cell phones, no cars, no Internet. Heck, even late on, in London, you actually have to send a letter or telegram to get in touch with someone, and transportation would take hours or days.

As to why Harker continued on his journey and went into the Castle in spite of all the signals saying get the heck out of there, I get the impression that, as this is Harker's first big case as a solicitor, he is serious about doing a good job for his firm. Even if he were the superstitious type, he wouldn't listen to those voices because he is determined to do his job right.

I love the detail...right down to the chicken paprikash! (Yum!)
I would love to see this on stage.
No film version I've ever seen has really been like the book.

[Richard]

I just started reading the novel, and have finished the first chapter. I was struck by the driver of the caleche (love that word!) and how he is described. What puzzles me is the wolves surrounding the caleche and seeming to bar their way. The horses are obviously scared, but the driver is able to wave them away. The driver himself seems to be supernatural, and yet is able to calm the horses.

[Kin]

Ho, ho :) Lots of fun awaiting you!

[Rebecca]

Keep going with it Risa, I felt the same. I never thought I would read Dracula. I think Stoker reels the reader it good. I think as you keep reading you will find it harder and harder to put down. Enjoy :)

[Martha]

It is quite good ... I'm on chapter 18 & there's no turning back now! LOL

[Jamie]

Risa wrote: "I didn't think I was going to read Dracula. I'm not a fan of horror or the gothic. But almost every other site I go to mentions Bram Stoker and Dracula (I dare say because Halloween is round the co..."

I am almost done with the book and while it is wonderful the beginning seems to be the most intense and horrifying part of the book. Keep reading and I feel you will be less freaked out...maybe!

[Tango]

I've finally started this and am definitely enjoying it. Some others wondered how he kept his journal and I'm pretty sure he had it in his pocket (he makes some comment about it). The first four chapters are a little reminiscent of The Mysteries of Udolpho which I read a few weeks ago - travelling through the mountains, being made prisoner in an old,creepy castle, looking out over the valleys whilst a prisoner. But, Stoker is much more concise in his descriptions and gets to the action quite quickly. Did anyone else notice the similarity?

[Jamie]

Tango wrote: "I've finally started this and am definitely enjoying it. Some others wondered how he kept his journal and I'm pretty sure he had it in his pocket (he makes some comment about it). The first four ch..."

I have not read The Mysteries of Udolpho yet but want to. If it is anything like the beginning of Dracula I may move it up my to read list!

[Rebecca]

Me too, it does look good.

[Tango]

It is much more drawn out than Dracula which seems to get right to the action. But, I really loved it - you just have to have the time.

[Pjmck]

Hi all

I feel that J.H has established himself as a most reliable source.

How did everyone feel about the fact that he failed to confront the count about his initial fears/concerns?

I must say that I find the style of the book intriguing and it affords the novel a much wider scope than if it were simply narrated by one character. It enable to whole spectrum of views on the goings on of the novel to be expressed which I love.

[Tango]

Hi Pjmck, I agree that JH was a reliable narrator - I enjoyed the first four chapters so much that I was a little disappointed when the point of view changed in the next chapter (but don't mind now that I'm further along). I think that he didn't confront the count for a few reasons - his job, a sense of propriety but also a growing sense of fear or apprehension.

[Aura]

Amalie wrote: "Silver wrote: "Jamie wrote: "From the beginning I have wondered if Harker's boss has another reason besides his health for not going to see the count?

Also in Transylvania from 1431-1470 there w..."

And Dracul in Romanian means The Devil :p