Have you read Bram Stoker's Dracula?
By MichaelJay
@MichaelJay (1100)
June 27, 2008 3:47am CST
I have to admit that after a lifetime of reading and naturally seeing Dracula movies at the cinema and on TV, I had never actually read the original.
On a recent holiday in Whitby, which is where Stoker wrote his masterpiece, I picked up a dusty copy in a second-hand book store for a few pennies.
I was amazed at how 'modern' the writing is even though it was written 110 years ago. It is fast paced and if it were present day the telegrams and letters and journal entries between the main protaganists would no doubt be expressed as sms messages, emails, and blogs!
This removed my preconception that it would be full of flowery Victorian prose and quite heavy going.
Another thing that pleasantly surprised me was Stoker's descriptions of Whitby a century or more ago. The place hasn't changed much at all, and that's a good thing!
I heartily recommend anyone with an interest in horror or sci-fi to read this classic original version.
2 people like this
5 responses
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
27 Jun 08
I do have a copy of it actually but havent read it yet..I picked mine up at a flea market if I'm remembering correctly..
1 person likes this
@MichaelJay (1100)
•
27 Jun 08
If you start it you probably won't b able to put it down - it's brilliant.
@undercapricon (29)
• India
3 Jul 08
Yes.My first experience of reading Dracula was when was in my high school. In my mother tongue there were a lot of regional Dracula novels based on Stoker's Original. My parents did nor allow me to see Drac movies at that time. Later I took Dracula as my m.phil thesis topic. In fact if ever I get a chance to visit England, I would like to visit Whitby.
1 person likes this
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
22 Jul 08
This book is on my to read list. I have heard a lot about it and would really like to take the time to read it myself.
The problem I have, is that every time I think I have found a copy of it, it turns out to be highly edited and about 1/4 the size it should be. The last time I saw the full copy was about 10 years ago, and I didn't have the money to buy it at the time.
@paid2write (5201)
•
27 Jun 08
Yes I have read Bram Stoker's book. I also know Whitby quite well as I have visited that part of the English coast many times.
There have been so many books written about vampires. I think Dracula is the original, and it is certainly the best known, best loved vampire story, for all the right reasons.
Dracula is a book which stirs the imagination and takes the reader to places and experiences beyond everyday life. It's a true classic and I doubt it will ever be out of print.
1 person likes this
