my take on things - comments about all the world and his brother
Published on December 9, 2009 By utemia In Books

I was in the hospital recently for 3 days and had decided to take a good book along as reading is a really great way to pass time - and I chose Dracula. I hadn't actually read the book even though I had to read literature journals about the role of woman in the victorian society, the function of the monster, sexuality and eroticism in gothic novels, and about vampires as a gothic creation that stood for the monster that was allowed to do everythings that wasn't in the prude victorian society.

I knew the story before I read it of course - most people do. There was an amazing film based on the novel made in 1992, and Roman Polanski had made a fabulous parody of the theme with his "Dance of the Vampires".

The book is made up of jounral and diary entries, letters, log books and news paper clips, always told from the different perspectives of the main characters, Jonathan Harker, Mina Harker, Lucy Westenra and Dr. Seward. Famou Dr. van Helsing is quoted and mentioned, as are several others. The different characters do not know each other in the beginning but as the plot thickens it all comes together. The way the story does that is really well done. And it is full of suspense - it isn't really a horror story for most of the time, more like a mystery novel about an unlikely group of people that meet under unusual circumstances and then decide to fight monsters. The language is cool - at least I think so - victorian english simply has style. The only thing that was a bit annoying was the way the men treat Mina after they all first met. Hunting monsters would be too much for her and so they decide that she can't join in on the fun. Woman as fragile beeings that a prone to hysteria - that is so old fashioned. The erotic undertones that can be found in the book if one looks for it are very very subtly - but as my english prof put it: subtle means sex in 19th century literature (he said that in regards to Kate Chopin's novel "The Awakening").

It was especially fun to read the book to cleanse myself from anything Twilight related. That series is the most dumb drivel I have come across recently. I do not know why it is so popular. Vampires that glitter in the sun, are chaste (duh) and shallow teenagers.. bleh. First person narration just makes the whole thing more irritating. I admit that I have only read about the half of the first book, then I couldn't stand it any more. *shudder*

Vampires are not chaste boring beings that are not evil on top of everything. They are monsters, and even though there are ambivalent figures in vampire literature (eg Anne Rice's novels) that try to retain their humanity and morality, they ultimately all fail. "Interview with a Vampire" is a good story example for that. Brad Pitt looked hot in the movie as well lol

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a good book with alot of suspense, great language and a thrilling plot. The book starts off with the story of Jonathan Harker in Transylvania where he meets Count Dracula .. it is a literature classic. The 1992 film is very good as well.


Comments (Page 2)
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on Jul 08, 2010

ubernaught

Of course it was (not to mention tongue in cheek) and you have no need to apologize, I just thought the people here might be interested in what I do as I've been posting here a lot over the last few years. Thinking about it afterward though, I reckon I should have just started my own thread so to avoid upsetting people like yourself. So sorry about that, what can say, I truly love Dune and enjoy my own work as well No shame in that, quite the opposite in fact.

You really should read Dune though, it is a masterpiece.

I wasn't upset really, but rather was just stating my mind. Due to the nature of the medium, it's hard to determine how something written should be interpreted (is it tongue in cheek or completely serious?)

On a side note the premise for your book sounds interesting. Why not try and get it on Amazon?

on Jul 08, 2010

On paper: The Confusion by Neal Stephenson

E-book on my iPod: Bleak House by Charles Dickens

on Jul 08, 2010

Abraham Lincoln- Vampire Hunter

Up Til Now - William Shatners Autobiography

on Jul 08, 2010

PoSmedley
Abraham Lincoln- Vampire Hunter


Oh, I wanted to read that one!  Is it any good?

on Jul 08, 2010




Quoting PoSmedley,
reply 18
Abraham Lincoln- Vampire Hunter


Oh, I wanted to read that one!  Is it any good?

Are you kidding? William Shatner's "I am Denny Crane, Vampire Slayer and portal to vacation discounts!" HAS to top that.

 

on Jul 08, 2010

Bram Stoker's writing rocks. It is very personal and reads like a great mystery novel.

on Jul 09, 2010

Oh, I wanted to read that one! Is it any good?

It's fantastic. The blending of historical events (e.g. Lincolns friendship with Edgar Allen Poe) and the Vampire stuff is amazing.

on Jul 09, 2010

PoSmedley

Oh, I wanted to read that one! Is it any good?
It's fantastic. The blending of historical events (e.g. Lincolns friendship with Edgar Allen Poe) and the Vampire stuff is amazing.


Excellent!  I'll have to order it from Amazon next pay period.  Thanks.

on Apr 21, 2012

I actually recently bought Dracula from Barnes and Noble and am reading it right now.  The last book I read was Mockingjay book 3 in the hunger games series.  If you like dystopian novels I recommend the hunger games.  It's geared towards teens but it has some good stuff in it.  

on Apr 21, 2012

Good heavens. I read the title of this thread and thought I would see a bunch of replies for shallow paper novels by authors I didn't recognize. The books I see mentioned would sit honored on the shelf of any literary minded person. I don't particularly care for vampires in any form by find the Transylvania history fascinating. As for old-fashioned ideas about women, don't forget that the author of Frankenstein was a woman, as well as several of the "male" authors. I liked the few of Anthony's books that I read, although I had a problem with a world where the slaves were naked and the masters wore clothes.

As for "real" vampires. There is a whole cult of people who believe they are in one form or the other, from energy vampires to ones that get more physical. I don't believe all of it, but what am I to say.

 

The books I have been reading for the last three years are the ones I have and am writing. Two are self published, the third will be when I quit over-editing it. They occupy most of my casual time. I don't know if they are any good, but I love to read them (over and over and over as I edit) Since they are a series, my mind is always working on the next as I try to get the current one finished. They are medieval-ish a'la Tolkien type. Female protagonist, tom boy, dragon friend, etc. etc. ad nauseam.

on Apr 21, 2012

Like Dracula from the grave....a necro-thread....

on Apr 22, 2012

Wuthering Heights of course... Emily Bronte.

on Apr 22, 2012

The Historian by Elizabith Kostova was a terrific book about Dracula! I finished the book the day before Elemental came out. Well, these poor souls in the story are directed to ancient books that feature a horrid painting of a dragon with it's  wings spread open. I loaded the game and that same basic scene unfolded before my eyes! Blew my mind for a few minutes and creeped me out!

on Apr 22, 2012

Currently reading Donaldson's Lord Foul's Bane, and Meyer's Object Oriented Software Construction.

And yes, read Dune.  Also recommend LeGuin's Earthsea cycle.

Agree w/ vampire comments.  I think of Stoker's Dracula as a "high vampire".  These are the old demons of the world whose powers extend far beyond blood-sucking and hypnosis, and whose malevolence and cunning can ruin entire civilizations (or a city in Dracula's case) in pursuit of their desires.  High vampirism is woefully lacking right now.

 

on May 15, 2012

I love read about the history."The Hundred Great Persons"written by MichaelH.Hart.

Love it...my favorite one...

 



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