Comments on: Dracula Redux

By: Lesley

Lesley — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:27:59 +0000

Back when I considered doing my Master’s in English, I contemplated Dracula and its modern incarnations as a thesis idea. It is very interesting to read the reaction and critical commentary about Dracula and vampires through the years, as well as how the vampires themselves change, from Dracula to Anne Rice’s vampires to the Twilight characters, to name a few. I would love to take a course on the subject!

I loved The Historian (can’t wait to read her new one) but although we have a copy of Renfield, I haven’t read that book – his character doesn’t interest me enough to read a book about him.

If you do end up reading this one, I’ll be curious to know your thoughts!

By: jenclair

jenclair — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:57:54 +0000

I’ve read Dracula several times and actually taught it a couple of times. It is one of those books that sparked so many take-offs that it is interesting in that aspect alone. Also, it is one of those books where reading the literary criticism from the time it was published through the present is a fascinating look at social mores and psychological interpretation.

It is specially fun to look at novels like The Historian and Renfield: Slave of Dracula and compare.

Thanks for this review; I’m adding this one to my list!

By: Lesley

Lesley — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:51:28 +0000

I wouldn’t buy it in hardcover, but it’s worth checking out from the library (which is what I did) or waiting til it comes out in paperback. I did like the changes they made to Dracula’s character and just hope we get to see more of him in the sequel. Others of course, have taken issue with those changes, so it’ll be interesting to see what you think if you do end up reading it.

By: Kailana

Kailana — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:45:55 +0000

I was wondering about this book. Your review makes me think I need to add it to my wish list. I haven’t read Dracula either, to be honest! I always assumed I knew the story too well to have to read it…

By: Lesley

Lesley — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:34:03 +0000

You’re quite welcome! Have you read Peter Tremayne’s books? My copy includes three stories in one volume, and at least one of them incorporates the historical Dracula (the other two may as well I just can’t remember).

I actually still have my copy of Dracula from my junior high attempt – it’s a battered Bantam mass market copy that I’ve carried with me through my many moves, I guess I hold onto the hope that I will read it someday. That and even though I haven’t read it, I feel like as a fan of the genre, I at least have to own a copy.

By: christine

christine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:35:13 +0000

Thank you sharing this. I have not heard of this book and am now so interested. I too have a fascination with the Vlad and vampires. And I have also not read Bram Stoker’s Dracula (I know, gasps from the crowd). Not sure why. I did pick up a copy for pennies and do plan on reading it soon. I will have to add this one to my loooong list I carry around with me since you never know when you may run into a great read.