Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Buy it Now!


Since my evil twin got me reading the Noble Dead series, both my brother and I have been on a vampire reading kick! I decided it was high time therefore that I go and visit the king of vampire books, "Dracula" by Bram Stoker. I've seen several movies with Dracula as a main character (also thanks to my evil twin), but as a true book lover I can't ignore the original book!

I really enjoyed reading "Dracula." Stoker uses a rather different format in his book. Instead of a simple narration, the story is told through a series of collected journal entries, letters, and newspaper clippings. Through this medium we meet all of our characters, including Dracula, and follow along with their suspense and emotions. 

Most of the characters contribute to the "recording" of the story. Dracula is among the few exceptions. I found my imagination fueled by that absence though. We learn so much about the rest of the characters motives and emotions, but we only have speculation about Dracula himself, the main subject of the book! 

Having now read Dracula I find myself wanting to read some of the others "classics" in this and related genre's. I own a collection of classics, but mine run more towards "Little Women,"The Swiss Family Robinson," and "The Secret Garden." In other words, books that while I loved them, my parents approved! Over the years I've added to my collection of read classics, reading up on Sherlock Holmes and books by Jane Austin, and I've decided it's time to continue that by adding in this genre to my read classics list! So I have the "Picture of Dorian Gray" on hold at the library as my next book to read.

5 comments:

TiLT said...

ooohhh....girl, I could give you one heck of a list for vampire books - :)

sundcarrie said...

Being the vampire fan that I am I really must read this classic one day.

Anonymous said...

I looooooved studying Dracula in college. At first, when I started reading it, I was just slapping my forehead at how cliche vampire lore it is... until I remembered that it was the first vampire novel and therefore what most vampire lore is based on. Once I accepted that this was the granddaddy, I could settle in and enjoy it. Did you know that back when it was published, the style of writing (using different mediums) was just falling out of vogue and not considered very original then? :D I loved dissecting that novel in class - studying in terms of gender power, foreign invasion, etc... Yeah... I still love it for its structure and characters. :)

Adaptable Kay said...

OMG I looooooooove the old cheesy horror movies.
:D :D :D

Okay all horror movies are my favorite but the older ones are the best.

Adaptable Kay said...

Oh wow.
I just realized this was a book!
Haha.
Stupid lymie brain >.<
I have two different versions of the book. Lol