Fang-tastic - World Dracula Day

It's world Dracula Day today. The seminal vampire novel written by Bram Stoker was published on May 26th, 1897.

Bram Stoker's Dracula was meticulously crafted, drawing from folklore, history, and extensive research. Here are some fascinating facts about its construction:

• Epistolary Format: The novel is told through letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles, creating a fragmented yet immersive narrative.
• Historical & Folkloric Influences: Stoker researched vampire legends and historical figures, including Vlad the Impaler and Countess Elizabeth Báthory, though recent scholarship suggests he may not have directly based Dracula on them.
• Whitby Connection: While vacationing in Whitby, England, Stoker discovered the name "Dracula" in a public library and chose it because he believed it meant "devil" in Romanian.
• Extensive Notes: Stoker compiled over a hundred pages of notes while developing the novel, ensuring a rich and detailed world.
• Binary Themes: The novel plays with contrasts such as good vs. evil and dark vs. light, blurring the lines between hero and monster as the story progresses.

My favourite fact is 

• Outline: In February 1892, Stoker wrote a 27-chapter outline of the novel. 

So he knew the ending - which is always a good thing. But did he know the beginning?  Stoker originally wrote a different opening chapter for Dracula, known as Dracula’s Guest. This chapter was cut from the final novel but was later published as a standalone short story. It follows Jonathan Harker on a chilling detour before reaching Count Dracula’s castle, encountering eerie supernatural elements, including a mysterious tomb and a spectral figure.

Some scholars believe Stoker removed it to streamline the novel’s pacing, while others suggest it was meant to be a prologue rather than a full chapter. Either way, it offers a fascinating glimpse into Stoker’s original vision for Dracula.

Dracula is an enduring literary character that has successfully remained undead for over a hundred years.

Pic: Ai Generation