This was a fantastic recommendation from my mother. 5/5 stars. It was scandalous in its time but sounds virtuous to modern ears, at least my modern ears. It is an epistolary novel, meaning it is a compilation of letters and diary entries, and told from many perspectives (maybe 6? Maybe 8?) Yet the character list still feels compact, because the characters have such strong and distinctive characters, yet they are not caricatures. It is beautifully written and tells a beautiful story.
The most obvious example of the juxtaposition of contemporaneous scandal with modern virtue is the monster, Dracula, who is undead, and evil, drinks human blood, shapeshifts into a bat and a wolf, hypnotizes a man, and transforms others into vampires like himself. Yet, the only thing that can subdue a vampire’s evil power is Christ, in the host, and symbols of Christ, in the crucifix. Well, and garlic, but garlic is apparently a symbol of purity somewhere, so close enough.
Another example is the love quadrangle between Lucy and her three suitors, who are all the most upright and talented of men from a variety of different backgrounds. They propose to Lucy in quick succession. Poor Lucy has to turn two of them down, which she does quickly and honorably, to accept the proposal of the man of her requited affections. The two disappointed suitors profess their unending service and loyalty towards Lucy, and they make good on their promises throughout the book as they hunt and destroy Dracula.
I can’t think of any modern book or film that portrays such a messy situation handled with such grace from all parties; please let me know if you do.
I will say that the book did drag a bit in the middle when the professor insists on them going to the graveyard simply to scope out the situation, without trying to destroy the vampire, and the preparations are generally extensive.
Though the men in this book are all so filled with chivalry and devotion to the women they love and all things good, “that wonderful Madam Mina” is a hero in her own right. As the professor put it, “She has more power than the rest of us. She is strong, strong in her faith, and in her heart.”