Dracul

August 6, 2018
Promoted as a prequel to Dracula, this novel is a melodramatized family history that proposes author Bram Stoker and his siblings confronted an undead nemesis early in their lives. Set for the most part in Ireland and told through a mix of straightforward narrative, personal letters, and journal and diary entries spanning the second half of the 19th century, it relates how a sickly young Bram was brought back from death’s doorstep by the bite of his nursemaid, the mysterious Ellen Crone. Years after Ellen’s abrupt disappearance from their lives, Bram, his sister Matilda, and his brother Thornley are drawn into a web of intrigues when they discover that Ellen is a Dearg-Due, a bloodsucking being of Irish folklore who is under the thumb of a more sinister vampire master. Although the authors evoke particulars of Bram Stoker’s Victorian vampire classic, their portrayal of Ellen as a sympathetic victim is decidedly modern. In an author’s note, Stoker, the great-grandnephew of Bram, explores gaps in the fossil record of Dracula’s genesis to explain the direction his own Dracula-infused collaboration took. Bram Stoker fans and scholars will find this a satisfying exploration of his legacy. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary.

August 1, 2018
Very scary, boys and girls: the "prequel" to the classic 19th-century novel Dracula, with lots of gore thrown in to satisfy 21st-century tastes.Stoker (Dracula: The Undead, 2009) has the name, Barker (The Fifth to Die, 2018, etc.) has the chops, and both work from an intriguing notion: When Bram Stoker shaped his novel--originally billed as a work of nonfiction--for publication, the first 102 pages were taken out by the publisher. What if they contained crucial details concerning origins, setting up future conflicts while clearing up mysteries? This foundational novel makes Bram a central character in his own story, which "finds its roots in truth." What's more, Bram is haunted by memory: A sickly child, he was bedridden, tended to by a woman named Ellen Crone, who here joins the ranks of the undead but, for all that, has some redeeming qualities, even if people tend to die and go missing whenever she's around. In healthier adulthood, Bram and his siblings go off in search of Ellen, who's disappeared--only to be spotted, years later, not having aged a bit. (Incidentally, Ellen and her fellow vamps can walk in sunlight; it just enervates them.) Well, strange doings are afoot, and those strange doings involve a preternaturally sinister chappy of grim countenance and sharp fang. Stoker and Barker positively exult in Dracul's ability to control all manner of underground critters, including tower-climbing snakes and other creepy-crawlies, and their gross-out stuff can't be beat: "The shroud felt moist, as if it were covered with some kind of bile or slime; it was akin to reaching into the carcass of some dead thing and taking hold of the stomach." It's a lively if unlovely story, in which the once febrile Bram becomes a sort of Indiana Jones and other heroes emerge in the endless fight against the damned--some of whom, of course, remain undead for further adventures.A big book that will no doubt be a hit among monster-movie and horror lit fans--and for good reason.

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September 15, 2018

This historical thriller with a distinct emphasis on gothic horror is a prequel to Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula, written by Stoker's great-grandnephew, Dacre Stoker (zDracula: The Un-Dead) and best-selling author Barker (The Fourth Monkey). Bram Stoker himself stars as the main character in a story that begins with his sickly childhood in Ireland and the appropriately supernatural cure to his ailments. Subsequently, the adult Bram, and his intriguing and varied companions, travel through Europe on the trail of a variety of grotesque and mysterious characters--including the dark man himself, Dracula. The narrative moves fairly quickly, pulling readers into this thrilling tale, with twists that keep the pages turning, even late into the night. VERDICT Obviously a strong pick for fans of classic gothic tales, such as Dracula, but also good for anyone who appreciates gripping historical novels, including those by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. [See Prepub Alert, 4/30/18.]--Elizabeth McArthur, Bexar Cty. Digital Lib., BiblioTech, San Antonio

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2018
In this officially sanctioned prequel to the classic, Bram Stoker's great-grandnephew, Dacre Stoker (Dracula: The Un-dead, 2009), and thriller writer Barker (The Fourth Monkey?, 2017) tell the story of Dracula from the point of view of its author. A tense opening scene finds young Stoker doing battle with an evil force high in an abandoned tower. The story then moves back to Stoker's childhood, when he was saved from an illness by his odd nanny. The novel then mirrors the format of the original, with journal entries from Stoker and his siblings as they piece together the truth behind the legend of Dracula, which his publisher refused to include in the final edits of the novel. Dracul is interesting because it sheds light on the original characters and author. Adding just the right touch of suspense increases the pace and ratchets up the tension, which appeals to the contemporary reader. While the book comes with a built-in audience?fans of the original?suggest it to those who like menacing, supernatural historical novels like Dan Simmons' Drood? (2009) and The Quick? (2014) by Lauren Owen.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

Starred review from September 15, 2018

This historical thriller with a distinct emphasis on gothic horror is a prequel to Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula, written by Stoker's great-grandnephew, Dacre Stoker (zDracula: The Un-Dead) and best-selling author Barker (The Fourth Monkey). Bram Stoker himself stars as the main character in a story that begins with his sickly childhood in Ireland and the appropriately supernatural cure to his ailments. Subsequently, the adult Bram, and his intriguing and varied companions, travel through Europe on the trail of a variety of grotesque and mysterious characters--including the dark man himself, Dracula. The narrative moves fairly quickly, pulling readers into this thrilling tale, with twists that keep the pages turning, even late into the night. VERDICT Obviously a strong pick for fans of classic gothic tales, such as Dracula, but also good for anyone who appreciates gripping historical novels, including those by Carlos Ruiz Zaf�n. [See Prepub Alert, 4/30/18.]--Elizabeth McArthur, Bexar Cty. Digital Lib., BiblioTech, San Antonio

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.