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Undead
The ultimate back story of the original Dracula, and its creator, Bram Stoker.
Best-selling author Frank Delaney deconstructs the Vampire myth through the ages, and shows us how Stoker’s 1897 novel, one of the most widely read books of all time, heightened the allure of sex, the glamour of blood, and the defeat of death in a way that continues to pulse - and faster than ever - on the page and on the screen.
Best-selling author Frank Delaney deconstructs the Vampire myth through the ages, and shows us how Stoker’s 1897 novel, one of the most widely read books of all time, heightened the allure of sex, the glamour of blood, and the defeat of death in a way that continues to pulse - and faster than ever - on the page and on the screen.
29 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2011
17 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Frank Delaney
59 books606 followersFrank Delaney was an author, a broadcaster on both television and radio, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, lecturer, and a judge of many literary prizes. Delaney interviewed more than 3,500 of the world's most important writers. NPR called him 'The Most Eloquent Man in the World'. Delaney was born and raised in County Tipperary, Ireland, spent more than twenty-five years in England before moving to the United States in 2002. He lived in Litchfield County, Connecticut, with his wife, writer and marketer, Diane Meier.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 2, 2023
I definitely thought this was a short story, but it was actually about Bram Stoker writing Dracula and other vampire influences. Interesting enough, but maybe this book has a marketing problem because I don't seem to be the only one going into it thinking it's a novella not non-fiction.
June 22, 2021
Thought this was an actual novel. It’s just a listing about Bram Stoker and other monster pop cultural reference with bits of history about it.
September 2, 2023
Charming, Educational, and Entertaining
Don't let a so so name and awful cover fool you!
I can barely put into words how much I loved this book and the reading by the author!
It's like sitting in conversation with a knowledgeable, thoughtful, and charismatic pibling and just getting to absolutely nerd out about Bram Stoker, Dracula, and vampires. The tone is gloriously conversational and insightful with the reading being so natural and engaging. I believe this is the first I have read or heard of Delaney and I was put in mind of Gaiman and the enthusiastic charm and wit he brings to subjects he is passionate about.
Absolutely worth a listen regardless, but if you have any interest in any of the above it's essential listening.
Bloody brilliant!
Don't let a so so name and awful cover fool you!
I can barely put into words how much I loved this book and the reading by the author!
It's like sitting in conversation with a knowledgeable, thoughtful, and charismatic pibling and just getting to absolutely nerd out about Bram Stoker, Dracula, and vampires. The tone is gloriously conversational and insightful with the reading being so natural and engaging. I believe this is the first I have read or heard of Delaney and I was put in mind of Gaiman and the enthusiastic charm and wit he brings to subjects he is passionate about.
Absolutely worth a listen regardless, but if you have any interest in any of the above it's essential listening.
Bloody brilliant!
November 2, 2025
Informative, relatable and helpful background to the story. Reads like a hosted documentary with fully drawn scenery.
May 3, 2012
From where, when, and why does a story emerge? This short essay is a glimpse into some answers to those questions in reference to Bram Stoker on the 100th Anniversary of his novel, Dracula.
Delaney begins by examining the language sources of the word "vampire" and then what it meant to writers and average people in different time periods as well as different countries and cities throughout the world, a fascinating purview that belies the simplistic associations most average readers ascribe to the focus of this topic that has fascinated readers for centuries!
We then get a glimpse into the "place" where the famous story occurred, a debunking of the Transylvania myth for sure and a revealing analysis as well. The reader is then introduced to various other ideas, such as the fact that Lord Byron had nothing to do with this story as so many believe but a friend of his.
This and other ideas lead us to the author himself, a simple man who was actually rather dull in his job and appearance, far from the type of person we might envisage creating this fearful and haunting tale that has sparked other stories, novels, movies, etc. than any other story in literary history. Yet he was the friend of literary giants who admired his talent. Who knew how famous Bram Stoker would become and why?
While this might be a different stretch for readers familiar with Frank Delaney's bard-like fictional creations, it is still a worthy read for both the average lover of fiction, horror stories, science fiction, vampire lit, etc. - and for those who create fiction of any kind. Everything, I repeat, everything, one realizes when one finishes Undead, is grist for the mill of great fiction!
Fascinating topic and treatment, Frank Delaney!
Delaney begins by examining the language sources of the word "vampire" and then what it meant to writers and average people in different time periods as well as different countries and cities throughout the world, a fascinating purview that belies the simplistic associations most average readers ascribe to the focus of this topic that has fascinated readers for centuries!
We then get a glimpse into the "place" where the famous story occurred, a debunking of the Transylvania myth for sure and a revealing analysis as well. The reader is then introduced to various other ideas, such as the fact that Lord Byron had nothing to do with this story as so many believe but a friend of his.
This and other ideas lead us to the author himself, a simple man who was actually rather dull in his job and appearance, far from the type of person we might envisage creating this fearful and haunting tale that has sparked other stories, novels, movies, etc. than any other story in literary history. Yet he was the friend of literary giants who admired his talent. Who knew how famous Bram Stoker would become and why?
While this might be a different stretch for readers familiar with Frank Delaney's bard-like fictional creations, it is still a worthy read for both the average lover of fiction, horror stories, science fiction, vampire lit, etc. - and for those who create fiction of any kind. Everything, I repeat, everything, one realizes when one finishes Undead, is grist for the mill of great fiction!
Fascinating topic and treatment, Frank Delaney!
March 21, 2012
This is an interesting story. Bram Stoker was an interesting man as is the history of Vampires and folklores behind them. It is broken up into chapters, discussing the history of vampires and how common town people reacted to them. It explores how vampires went from being ugly and poor to handsome and rich. And, brings the current day ideas of vampires and why people are fascinated by them.
April 15, 2015
This book was absolutely fantastic! Delaney tells the story of Bram Stoker with the focus of his book Dracula. I assumed this story would be like any other short biography, however Delaney spruces it up with his own personality. His writing comes across very poetic and at times I laughed from the slight humor and wit portrayed in his writing.
October 16, 2016
Très bon ouvrage. Lu & écouté (une première pour moi) dans la journée. L'auteur revient sur les origines du Dracula de Bram Stoker. Autant les sources d'inspiration littéraires que le contexte familial de l'auteur sont mises en perspective. Mention spéciale pour l'audiobook très finement interprété.
October 5, 2011
Delaney's humor is not my cuppa. There is not much new here about Dracula and Stoker. If you have read the book and any biography, you can pretty much skip this essay. (Additionally, how can you not mention "Christabel"?).
July 23, 2014
Kleines Büchlein, in kurzweiligem, sehr subjektiv geprägtem Ton über die Entstehungsgeschichte von Bram Stokers Dracula. Biographische Details, literarische Vorbilder und inspirierende Orte wie Whitby werden vorgestellt.
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September 28, 2011Bought the Kindle book as a nod to the honorable Mr. Delaney. His Re:Joyce Podcasts are jewels in my playlist. Thank you! I look forward to this piece.
July 14, 2011
A light-hearted literary history behind Dracula and Bram Stoker's various inspirations for the story.
August 27, 2012
this was great and it explained soo much about Bram Stoker and the mystery behind Dracula.
December 23, 2012
Delaney's enthusiasm is infectious, particularly when he's tracking down Stoker's inspirations. The section on Whitby is wonderful, some of the humor (Gaelic, not garlic) not so much.
June 14, 2015
I love a good myth-busting! Also I wish this book was about 10 times longer.
December 26, 2013
Intruiging read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews