If you want to keep with the Gothic, you could do a lot worse than Sheridan Le Fanu's story Carmilla; a clear influence on Dracula; and Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. We all know the story via film; but the novella is quite different...until I read your reply there it hadn't even crossed my mind about questioning how the Khukri knife was fit for purpose to kill Dracula! No idea why this didnt stand out to me as a blooper if you will.
When I bought Dracula, I got Frankenstein also so its on the book shelf to be read. I must have a look at those other ones you have recommendedIf you want to keep with the Gothic, you could do a lot worse than Sheridan Le Fanu's story Carmilla; a clear influence on Dracula; and Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. We all know the story via film; but the novella is quite different...
Approach Frankenstein like you've never seen any film adaptation. No spoilers...When I bought Dracula, I got Frankenstein also so its on the book shelf to be read. I must have a look at those other ones you have recommended
It's a fascinating, but uneven, book. Inherently misogynistic, with a slight homoerotic undertone that, to me, Stoker felt he had to overcompensate by the staking of Lucy (the most horrible part in the book). Lucy's only crime was being slightly flirtatious and flighty.
I'm concerned that we never get to the real Dracula; apart from him talking of his Szekely history. Later on, he is sidelined and viewed through the standpoint of others.
The book can be interpreted many ways: through the lens of Marxism; fear of ‘the other'; contagion; miscegenation and so on.
it does have its plusses: the use of modern media; wax cylinders, stenograph, telegraph, railway timetables, typewriters, Kodaks and so on is interesting. But then you get Van Helsing the Dutchman coming out with ‘Mein Gott!'. Also, D dies by a stab with a khukri knife; no stake etc. Very clumsy. That's one of my editions you have, incidentally.
As to films being better, it depends what you want from your book.
Thanks, Iain.'Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!'
Stoker's seminal 'Dracula' was mentioned here recently - there is a decent radio adaptation available on the BBC player at the moment - nicely atmospheric - fairly faithful to the book - if you are interested - this is a link to the first part. I.
BBC Radio 4 Extra - Bram Stoker - Dracula, 1. No One
The original vampire horror tale of Count Dracula's reign of terror in Victorian Britain.www.bbc.co.uk
@Scotshave @Dcshaves
Check it out - for full effect - I turned out all the lights - shut the curtains - lit a single candle - and placed it on the kitchen table. Streamed through my big speakers. Part two available soon I think. I.Thanks, Iain.
For @Digimonkey , @Scotshave , @Rob998 , @Missoni , @RussellR5555 et al
View attachment 62224
Where do I start with the Hunt for Zero point - while this is a factual book (the British Library classify this as Dewey Decimial Scheme 623.40973 Military and nautical engineering) the author's journey at times appears to be fictional, such is the boundaries of the subject matter).
The starting point is captivating - before the atom bomb, scientists openly discussed that splitting the atom was possible - the theories were openly published in the scientific literature at the time - when governments started serious work in this area, making progress - suddenly everything went dark - no more public disucssion nor publication in the scientific literature; eventually (and sadly in many respects) the the bomb was announced to the world.
Imagine aerospace engineers openly talking about anti-gravity in he 50's and 60's; stating that the Wright brothers got it all wrong - why push a vehicle through the air, when you can manipulate gravity? The concepts of anti-gravity and flight being openly talked about, most aerospace companies started to look into this, openly, several engineers published on how gravity could be manipulated, and then, like the work to split the atom, when progress may have been made, it all goes dark.
I don't want to give too much away, the Hunt for Zero point, not least given the credientials of the author opens the possibility that anti-gravity is perhaps more than a dream; that the trillion dollar world of black budget military research, has made inroads and what for many is a facet of science fiction, may now have some basis, in the world.
The 4 hardened aircraft shelters, on the book cover, to me, at that angle, give a passing nod to the pyramids.
If you want to read something different, something that challanges your view of the world, then I recommend this, most highly.
As ever, I appreciate that YMMV.
All the best,
Chris
Looks interesting. Will I need a degree in quantum physics?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?