A Dracula Handbook

by Elizabeth Russell Miller

A Dracula Handbook provides succinct and accurate information about Dracula. Written for a general readership, the book should appeal to aficionados, students and the just-plain-curious. Using question/answer format, the book covers a range of topics: the origins of the vampire myth; the life of Bram Stoker, author of Dracula (1897); the novel, its genesis and sources; the historical figure (Vlad the Impaler) whose nickname Stoker borrowed for his Count; an examination of the connection between Vlad and Count Dracula; the phenomenal impact the novel has had since its publication; and an overview of interpretations of the book. Also included is a comprehensive reading list. Here are some of the many questions that are directly answered in the book: What are the roots of vampire lore? How did vampires move from folklore to literature? What do we know about the actual writing of Dracula? Where did Bram Stoker find his information about vampires? Are there any autobiographical elements in Dracula? Did Dracula originate in a nightmare? What do we know of the relationship between Stoker and his wife? Did Stoker die of syphilis? How did Count Dracula become a vampire? Does Count Dracula have any redeeming qualities? How was the novel Dracula received when published in 1897? What did Stoker himself say about the novel? Why did Stoker name his vampire "Dracula"? Why did he select Transylvania as the vampire's homeland? How much did Stoker really know about Vlad the Impaler? Was Vlad ever associated with vampire legends? What are our main sources of information about Vlad? Why do many Romanians consider Vlad to be a national hero? Which of the Dracula movies is the best adaptation of Stoker's novel? What impact has Dracula had on subsequent vampire fiction? Why does Count Dracula have such enduring appeal? How do Romanians feel about Dracula tourism in their country? Is there a real Castle Dracula? What are some of the interpretations of Dracula? Is Dracula a classic? And many, many more! Depending on the complexity of the questions, the answers range from 5-6 lines to several pages. At the end of each chapter there is a shortlist for further reading. At the end of the book there is a comprehensive Bibliography.

Genres: Vampires, Nonfiction, Books About Books, History

200 pages, Hardcover

First published March 22, 2005

About the author

From Wikipedia:
Elizabeth Russell Miller is Professor Emerita at Memorial University of Newfoundland. She currently resides in Toronto. In her early academic career, she focused on Newfoundland literature, primarily the life and work of her father, well-known Newfoundland author and humorist Ted Russell. Since 1990, her major field of research has been Bram Stoker's novel Dracula, its author, sources and influence.

Reviews

[Yomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

La primera y última vez que leí Dracula fue en 2018, y a pesar de que pasaron tantos años su historia se clavó en mi alma. Hay momentos que me quedaron grabados y otros que me olvidé, pero leer esta obra no sólo hizo que los recuerde, también me hizo percatar de muchas cosas que se me habían pasado.
La obra maestra de Stoker es uno de mis libros favoritos, y conocer más, no solo sobre él y sus otros escritos, también sobre lo que rodea el "mito" de Dracula, hizo que lo ame aún más (y quiera juntar a todas mis amistades y conocidos a dar una charla de 7 horas sin parar exponiendo todo lo que sé ahora).
Lo que escribió Miller es realmente una guía de lectura corta, fácil e introductoria, desde Vlad III de Valaquia hasta la repercusión moderna que tuvo el famoso conde vampiro. Con preguntas típicas que se hacen y respuestas claras (y respaldada con bibliografía detrás), ata y desata absolutamente todos los nudos que se han hecho a lo largo de la historia, ya sea por malinterpretación de la obra o detalles pasados por alto. Hasta incluye una especie de guía de turismo y consejos para recorrer Rumanía, Inglaterra e Irlanda siguiendo los caminos que tomaron Vlad III, Dracula y Bram Stoker, respectivamente (ya estoy ahorrando para ir a todos los lugares).
No diría que es un libro obligatorio, pero sí lo recomiendo para conocer el "detrás de escena" de una de las piezas que más ha marcado todo un subgénero y mi vida también.

[El · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imperdible

Scholar material. No other reading is necessary to fully understand Drácula & it’s context
Imperdible reading for those who care

[Babar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried to read this book but it has very few elements which were not part of *Dracula* written by same writer.

[Berna Labourdette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hace mucho tiempo quería leer los libros sobre Drácula de esta autora. Comencé por éste y no me decepcionó. Es un completísimo ABC del tema, super claro de leer, con muchos datos interesantes (algunos conocidos y otros que no, como la distinción de los castillos de Vlad Tepes) y con muchísimas referencias. Lo recomiendo absolutamente tanto para fans como para quienes no sepan tanto. 

[Mario Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quien quiera alejarse de la concepción popular del Conde Drácula, la novela de Stoker y de los vampiros en general difundida principalmente por Hollywood y los medios de comunicación debe leer esté estudio detallado realizado por una verdadera autoridad en la materia.
Este libro es lo que toda investigación histórica y literaria debe ser: un recuento y análisis de las evidencias disponibles y no de especulaciones y coincidencias.