Original Dracula Novel
This book has been around for ages. Since 1897, it has been translated and printed in many countries. Because it has been in the public domain (Bram’s wife lost the copyrights after a lengthy legal battle) Dracula has spun off all sorts of stories, movies, toys, etc. So many of us have gotten to know Dracula through a wide variety of media and entertainment outlets.
A lot of people whom I have met during my research and writing of “Dracula The Un-Dead” are familiar with the many different versions and spin offs of Dracula, but not the actual characters from Bram’s original novel.
So I was just wondering how many of you have actually read the original version?
This is not a trick question, I am genuinely interested in knowing the answer, so please post a response. Have you read the original version?
Tags: Bram Stoker, Original Novel, Poll
I admit, I have not read the original “Dracula” in its entirety. I have read segments of the book here and there. This is certainly something I need to rectify. Reading “Dracula” is now on my list of things to do, right after the Bar application, legal research for work, and class reading.
I have read it three times and it remains one of my favourite works of world literature. It has a remarkably fresh and modern style when contrasted with many of its contemporaries, and I think the sequel will make for a stylish and welcome companion volume.
Jane,
Thank you for your comments. I remember the first time I read Dracula and how accessable it seemed even decades after being published. I hope others feel the same and that we can stimulate new readers to embrace Bram’s novel and ours as a series.
Dacre
I have read the classic DRACULA many times since I was eleven. Its one of the few genuinely chilling novels and is a masterpiece. For many years, my favorite edition was the one with the beautiful illustrations of Greg Hildebrandt, but I’ve had to replace that one with the Edward Gorey illustrated edition that opens with “Dracula’s Guest” – the deleted chapter published posthumously by Stoker’s widow in a collection of her late husband’s short fiction.
Just a comment re “Dracula’s Guest.” It is usually referred to as a “deleted chapter” but that is not quite accurate. My close examination of Stoker’s Notes reveals that the story was one of several episodes originally planned for the first part of the book (one, two, or possibly even three chapters) and then dropped. Whether DG would have been a full chapter, or part of a longer chapter, we have no way of knowing. But the Notes make it clear that it was not originally intended to be how the novel began. That honor belongs to a series of letters (outlined in the Notes) between the Count and various lawyers. Leave it to the lawyers to get there first!!
In response to Jason (Jan 14). It would be most appropriate to read “Dracula” after having completed your Bar application. Did you know that Stoker wrote (and passed) his Bar exams on April 30, 1890, just a few weeks after he started to write “Dracula.” (His earliest Note is dated March 8, 1890.)
Miss Miller:
Thanks for the sage advice, and the great Dracula tidbit!
J
I have read Dracula by Bram Stoker five times, first reading it at the urgings of my 10th grade teacher. I find the gothic atmosphere and rich characterization irresistible. Stoker was a masterful storyteller. I am enduring great anticipation regarding the arrival of Dracula The Undead. It can’t be published soon enough for me.
We both have read the original Dracula novel various times in our language and also in English. That book really fascinated and charmed us. We are part of a small art circle and some of our productions (illustrations and novels) have been inspired by original Dracula characters. We think that Dracula by Bram Stoker will always be a classical that will continue to inspire the people of every age.
Hoshi and Zel
I first read Dracula during my second year of college. Choosing to read a classical horror story during September and October, I look back on the weeks I spent engaging in Mr. Stoker’s tale in the months leading up to Halloween as one of the few times when I was truly engaged in a novel. It is for this reason that Dracula is by far my favorite book with the titular count as my favorite literary character. Bram Stoker’s attention to detail and unique story-telling establishes him as one of the greatest classical authors of all time.
Levi, I am glad you enjoyed my great grand uncle’s imortal classic. I hope you choose to purchase the book that Ian and I wrote. We have done our best to make it a seamless, but modernized sequel.
Dacre
I’ve read it and plan on reading both “The Essential Dracula” and “The New Annotated Dracula” as well as Joel Emmersons Rewrite of the novel “The Undead” (I’m not kidding)