We’ve come to the end of our Dueling Monsters Read-a-long and I’m shedding a little tear (NOT of blood). Heather and I have had a great time getting to know Dracula and Frank a little better (but not too much better)…we hope you’ve had fun, too! Below is a list of bloggers who read (or are reading) Dracula for the read-a-long. Heather has a wrap-up of Frank over at Age 30+…A Lifetime of Books. Be sure to stop by and ask if anyone’s seen Ernest.
*Jackie wasn’t too fond of Dracula. But her copy of the book wins creepiest cover, hands down.
(I had to make it nice and big so you can fully appreciate the bloodshot eyes. And the wart on his cheek. Who said vampires were sexy?)
*Books of Mee was less than enamored, too. She summed up her feelings with this line: BRING ME BACK TO THE CASTLE.
*Rebecca listened to the audio version, and decided she’s just not a fan of vampires (or dripping blood) at all.
*Last I heard, Dreamybee was still reading it, but she was a bit irked by the characters: “I just hit the part where Mina goes from independent intelligent woman to must-be-protected-from-all-the-ugliness-in-life flower, and it’s killing me. Is it just me, or does everyone turn into a raving idiot at this point?” Hmmm, yes, she does bring up an excellent point. Update: she has finished. And she liked. Woo-hoo!
*E.L. Fay read it awhile ago, but wrote a fascinating essay on vampires that I wanted to include. She also made a vampire playlist for Halloween. Dracula would approve.
*Brittanie is still working on it.
*And me? I thought it was great fun. Much more fun than Frank (I just had to add that final dig, since Heather says I can’t write anything about Dracula without bashing Frank in the process).
So, it seems the jury is still out on Dracula. What do you think? Kim asked me “Do you feel like one of the books aged better than the other one?” If you’ve read both, what do you think?
And if I missed your read-a-long thoughts on Dracula, please post a link in the comments and I’ll add it to the above list.
I’ve always wanted to read Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but have never really gotten round to it. So many other books to read and all that
I am checking in here to say hi & also ask if you would be so kind and try if you can see my blog at http://louspages.blogspot.com. BethF also has a Blogspot.com blog and so does a lot of others. I have been unable to get to my own and any other Blogspot.com blog for the past hours and am getting seriously desperate now. Need to know if the problem is with me (I just bet it is) or if it is a Blogspot.com glitch
Louise´s last blog ..Women Unbound – a reading challenge
Blogger is completely dead. When I look at your Imaginary Friends column to the right, the red B in front of those with a Blogger-account has either disappeared or has a blank box. I am frustrated and desperate, but thank you for your help
A lot.
I need to mail some of those with a Blogger account and see if they have the same problems.
Grrrr
Louise´s last blog ..Women Unbound – a reading challenge
Thanks for the links! The vampire essay has been a big hit. I should read some actual academic criticism done on the genre and do a sequel post.
I also like to think of my Vampire Playlist as a great intro to European Gothic/symphonic metal. The closest thing we have here in the US is Evanescence, who are really watered-down and commercialized.
EL Fay´s last blog ..Vampire Playlist
And then suddenly it works again after having pulled almost all my hair out
Hopefully it will stay this way!
Louise´s last blog ..Women Unbound – a reading challenge
I am ashamed to admit I have yet to read either. I loved the movies (both Dracula with Winona Ryder and Frankenstein with De Niro) but I know that the books will be such a nicer treat.
I’m pleased that you like my cover! It is perfect for Halloween!
I haven’t read Frankenstein, but I don’t think Dracula has aged very well. It is easy enough to read, but I think society has changed a lot since then. We have different fears and so many of theirs seem a bit silly. I am pleased that I read it, but didn’t enjoy it at all!
Jackie (Farm Lane Books)´s last blog ..Dracula – Bram Stoker
Huh.. I was just reading lilly’s comment there, and I had no idea that Robert De Niro was in a film version of Frankenstein.
charley´s last blog ..October Movies
Who said bloodshot eyes and warts weren’t sexy?
I didn’t do this read-off, but I have read both books. I personally wasn’t into Dracula too much, but that was mainly because it was an epistolary novel–a format of which I am not fond. I think both novels have aged pretty well, to be honest. Frankenstein is definitely still relevant to our times, and vampires are still pretty sexy.
heidenkind´s last blog ..Creepy Art
This was fun-thanks for hosting!
Dreamybee´s last blog ..What I’m Reading Now-Dracula (The Final Review)
I haven’t read Frankenstein yet, but i suspect (from what I’ve read about Shelley’s style and social messages) I will probably enjoy it more!! I’ll have to see, though.
Rebecca Reid´s last blog ..The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Emanuel Schikaneder
This was so much fun! I’m glad you you enjoyed Dracula so much – it was SO MUCH better than Frank (although the anonymous commenter on my recap disagrees with me! ~LOL~) I definitely have to check out the other reviews you link to.
Heather J.´s last blog ..Friday Finds 10/30/09