Discussion Dracula by Bram Stoker (SPOILERS)
 

So, how did you all like this book. I have to say, I have not read it.

Sorry for starting the thread so late.

BOb

I've not yet finished it to be honest.

I appreciate your honesty.

BOb

Thank you. I do plan on trying to get it finished by the 5th of June.

I didn't know that Dracula was the chosen book for May, but I started reading it a week ago by coincidence. I'm halfway by now and hope to finish it the next week.

Crap, actually, I was supposed to post it and forgot.

I read Dracula several months ago and really enjoyed it. I liked the epistilary (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) style, it kept me guessing on what would happen next.

I would like to know what stuff in the book about vampires Stoker came up with and what he didn't. I know most of what we think about vampires comes from this book, I'm just not sure what.

I read the book a few weeks ago and then found out is was the May book.

I really enjoyed it - I read "The Historian" by Elisabeth Kostova a couple of years ago but had never read "Dracula". "Dracula" seems to be the original and best version of the story. But I do remember in "The Historian" Kostova talked about lots of sources for the Dracula legends and vampires. Unfortunately it was a while ago so I can't remember much of it now. But I'm sure that he was inspired by folk stories of vampires.

Sheridan Le Fanu's 'Carmilla' was one earlier vampire tale that influenced Stoker.

I've gotten 1/2 done with Dracula. It did start off very dry and very slow. But I would say that once you hit chapter 5, it really did pick up and became a lot more enjoyable to read. I am going to finish it before the voting it done for June.

I agree it was slow to start but once you get further in it goes alot faster . I enjoyed the book , it was a reread for me but it was over 25 years ago that I read it . So it was almost a new read .

I finished the book in May and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Finished the book just yesterday.
A bit too oldfashioned to my liking, with brave man and fine ladies.
And a centuries old villan who can be defeated with just one holy wafer isn't to convincing eighter. But all in all an entertaining story. A little slow in the beginning in Transylvania but picking up speed later.
I found the patient Renfield by far the most interesting character in the novel.

"I found the patient Renfield by far the most interesting character in the novel. " I totally agree . He was a great character

yes he really is!

If you like Renfield, then you might enjoy the movie Love at First Bite. It's a comedy, but a very good take off on Dracula. Arte Johnson plays a really dead on parody of Renfield in the book.

Oh man Renfield creeped me out big time, I forgot about him.

Thanks JS I will check it out .

For more Renfield, check out Barbara Hambly's "Renfield, Slave of Dracula", or Tim Lucas' "The Book of Renfield, A Gospel of Dracula". Both excellent reads!

Haven't seen it as an e-book, but Leslie Klinger's "The New Annotated Dracula" is amazing. Original text with copious annotations really bring the background into interesting focus. Klinger also released the expansive (4-volume) Complete Annotated Sherlock Holmes.