"I Vahnt to Sahck Your Blahhhd"

Hmmm. I was trying to spell that the way it sounds in my best Transylvanian accent, but I'm not sure I got it quite right. Anywho . . .

This is the edition I have,
published by Random House,
Modern Library, 2001.

Our next book is Dracula by Bram Stoker, which takes place in Translyvania, a county in the central part of the European country of Romania.

What always amazes me about this book is its modern feel. Though it was written over 100 years ago (first published in 1897), it's still a page-turner. One reason for this is probably Stoker's emphasis on the technology of the day. Granted, we're talking phonographs and typewriters here, but Stoker's use of gadgetry that was new at the time still seems to add a futuristic feel to this century-old novel.

Another thing that's interesting thing about this book is its narrative form. Instead of being told in the traditional 1st or 3rd person POV we're so used to, Dracula is an epistolary novel. An episto-what? Let me explain.

An epistle is a letter. An epistolary novel is one in which the plot is forwarded by letters written by one or more of the characters in the book. Dracula goes one step further. It is told entirely in the form of letters, diary entries, and newspaper clippings. Very cool, no? As you read, think about how this format affects the story. What does it add? What does it take away? 

Finally, another thing I enjoy about Dracula is that it's creepy. Scott, who is an avowed Poe fan, will love this. Others of you, perhaps not so much. If creepy isn't your thing, I encourage you to combat that feeling as you read by really analyzing the story. Whenever you start to feel scared, ask yourself, "What, exactly, is it that is creeping me out?" Try to figure out how Stoker creates  suspense, and consider this: though the novel is called Dracula, our title character doesn't spend a lot of time "on-screen." What effect does this have?

If you really THINK about the writing technique, I promise you it will help to allay your fears. Honestly. Nothing kills a spontaneous emotion or mood like in-depth analysis. Use it to your advantage.

Okay. That's all I'm going to say. I encourage new blog authors - 4 so far - to add impressions, Dracula factoids, questions, techniques for dealing with the fear factor, et cetera as they occur to you. Happy reading!

**We currently have a date/time conflict due to a climbing class at the Maine Rock Gym, but as soon as we figure out a date that works, I'll post it here. It will hopefully still be the same week (November 7th - 11th), either Monday, Wednesday, or Friday.**