Tuesday 15 February 2011

Dracula, My Love - Book Review

Dracula My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker by Syrie James

What is it about:
Many have read and loved Bram Stoker’s Dracula. But questions remain. What is the true story of Dracula’s origin? What if Mina could not bring herself to record the true story of their scandalous affair—until now?

In Dracula, My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker, Syrie James explores these questions and more. A vibrant dramatization, told from Mina’s point of view, brings to life the crucial parts of Stoker’s story while showcasing Mina’s sexual awakening and evolution as a woman, and revealing a secret that could destroy her life. Torn between two men—a loving husband and a dangerous lover—Mina struggles to hang on to the deep love she’s found within her marriage, even as she is inexorably drawn to Dracula himself—the vampire that everyone she knows is determined to destroy.


What did I think of it:
This is how I want my retellings of a classic story to be. James gives her own voice to the story and uses it to weave a new story of her own. She manages to stay true to the original Dracula even while she adds whole new layers and storylines. The story that unfolds is both bittersweet and compelling. I usually am a one on one kind of pig when it comes to romances, but with this story I could easily understand why Mina is torn in two, which is a first for me. Voodoo Bride wants me to add the romance in the book was beautiful and that she cried at certain parts of the story. All in all a wonderful retelling of Dracula. I will sure keep an eye out for other books by James.

Why should you read it:
It's a beautiful retelling of a powerful classic.

3 comments:

Demented Wench said...

This one I definitely want to read. Thanks for your insightful review McPig.:)

Anonymous said...

This is on my to-read list. I've heard a lot of good things about it and am happy to see you enjoyed it, too.

vvb32 reads said...

i've been wondering about this book. glad to hear it's a good one. and is a tear jerker? cool.