Submitted by Site Visitor on Sat, 28/03/2009 - 2:26pm
Posted in
Stephen Dixon, in his Irish Times article (Saturday 28 March), expresses the view that "Stoker was a great storyteller but an indifferent writer, and the book, put together in epistolary fashion through letters and diary entries, can be hard going for the modern reader, in common with much other Victorian literature".
I think because of the diary style it does require a different approach in reading it, and yes, it is very different to most contemporary works of fiction that people are used to because of that alone. But I think anyone sticking with it will be well rewarded in the end.
I wonder, how many people who have seen Dracula in film can say in fact that they have read the book?
Loved the book - very gripping!
I also read that review and was nearly turned off reading it. As a result I approached reading the text as an endurance test and yet when I finished reading it I was totally taken aback by how much I enjoyed it. True, the first couple of pages are a little tedious but after that the pace picks up. Practically straight away there is an ominous mood established, gothic lore looms yet without losing the required tension. The novel is gripping, at times, a terrifying read. I find it so refreshing to compare a novel and a film from the same genre and to find what are tired conventions in a film are still remarkably effective in a novel. If you feel jaded by the formulaic approach to horror on film yet would love to reappreciate that genre then take up the written version, I dare you not to be frightened!
I loved the book too
I read this a few times. I think it's a very good story and I always recommend it to any vampire fiction fan. It is a classic in my opinion.
NOT a hard read at all!
I have finally read it, well, almost there! I am currently 10 pages from the end, and the build up to the climax has me not wanting to put it down. And I have not found it hard to read at all; to the contrary, I have found the diary style a refreshing change from the norm, and the language, while obviously reflecting the period in which it was written, is beautiful, poetic and descriptive. Thumbs up from me!
Thanks to everyone
What an amazing month, I couldn't believe that a book could create such a buzz in the city, I went into town each weekend wondering what i was going to see next. Dracula on the streets, storytelling, that wonderful wedding. I loved the way the bookshops decorated their windows - even the banners on the streets. I told all my friends and they all felt the same. Thaks to whoever organised it. Can't wait for next year.