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A review by jenpaul13
Dracul by J.D. Barker, Dacre Stoker
4.0
Dracula is an entertaining and classic novel within the literary canon, but the inspiration behind the story begs for readers to speculate upon Dracula's origin and Bram's beliefs, which is explored in the prequel Dracul by Dacre Stoker and J. D. Barker.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Suffering throughout childhood as an ill, bedridden boy, Bram Stoker's primary comfort came from the young, and slightly odd, Ellen Crone, who joined the Stoker family as a nanny. As a string of unusual deaths take place in their village, Bram and his sister Matilda take an interest in uncovering more, especially after Ellen mysteriously and suddenly leaves their family. Twenty-one year old Bram frantically makes notes in his journal of the incredible events that have taken place throughout his life and are currently taking place as he simultaneously defends himself and an implausible inhabitant of an abandoned castle tower. In uncovering the truth behind Bram's sudden recovery during childhood and Ellen's obscured, mysterious past, the adult Stoker children inadvertently find themselves in the cross-hairs of a long-ranging battle of wills and desire.
With mysteries that unravel slowly despite a feeling of consistent action as the perspectives and text format shift, Dracul is a deceptively quick and thoroughly entertaining read; this novel comprised of journal entries and letters sheds a potential light on the inspiration for Stoker's classic and haunting novel through casting Bram in the central role of odd circumstances similar to those of his world-famous tale. With beautiful writing that easily evokes the standard of gothic writing of the era in which its set, the story captivates with its eerie and mysterious elements and the characters are (mostly) well-developed through their actions, thoughts, and interactions with other characters. The author's note at the end is incredibly informative and provides new insight for readers into the history behind Dracula's publication.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Suffering throughout childhood as an ill, bedridden boy, Bram Stoker's primary comfort came from the young, and slightly odd, Ellen Crone, who joined the Stoker family as a nanny. As a string of unusual deaths take place in their village, Bram and his sister Matilda take an interest in uncovering more, especially after Ellen mysteriously and suddenly leaves their family. Twenty-one year old Bram frantically makes notes in his journal of the incredible events that have taken place throughout his life and are currently taking place as he simultaneously defends himself and an implausible inhabitant of an abandoned castle tower. In uncovering the truth behind Bram's sudden recovery during childhood and Ellen's obscured, mysterious past, the adult Stoker children inadvertently find themselves in the cross-hairs of a long-ranging battle of wills and desire.
With mysteries that unravel slowly despite a feeling of consistent action as the perspectives and text format shift, Dracul is a deceptively quick and thoroughly entertaining read; this novel comprised of journal entries and letters sheds a potential light on the inspiration for Stoker's classic and haunting novel through casting Bram in the central role of odd circumstances similar to those of his world-famous tale. With beautiful writing that easily evokes the standard of gothic writing of the era in which its set, the story captivates with its eerie and mysterious elements and the characters are (mostly) well-developed through their actions, thoughts, and interactions with other characters. The author's note at the end is incredibly informative and provides new insight for readers into the history behind Dracula's publication.