Welcome to Quill Quotes Book Club, Dracul Discussion #1! We hope you are enjoying Dracul by Dacre Stoker and JD Barker so far. Please keep in mind this discussion is only for Part I. If you have read ahead or finished the book, please keep any spoilers or thoughts on later parts for the next discussion. See the Dracul Book Club Summary Page for the reading schedule details and other discussions.
Brooke’s Thoughts
I read Dracula by Bram Stoker around this time last year and really enjoyed. It did take me a bit to get through because of the old English but I still thought it was scary. So I wasn’t sure what to expect for Dracul.
I am really enjoying Dracul so far. It definitely has a scary thriller vibe but not too scary. It’s perfect for October! I really like the writing because I feel like it is a fast read and I’m glad they didn’t try to match Bram Stokers writing exactly.
Favorite Quote
I knew she was right, but even at such a young age I also understood how easily a problem could envelop someone, isolate them from the rest of the world until it seemed nothing else existed.
Dacre Stoker and JD Barker, Dracul
Kevin’s Thoughts
Kevin isn’t reading Dracul with us. He is not a fan of horror and he is in the middle of a book series and a couple of other reads. He will join us again next month though!
Dracul Discussion #1 Prompts/Questions
Feel free to comment whatever thoughts and questions you have! But if you aren’t sure where to start, consider some of the prompts/questions below:
- Have you read Dracula by Bram Stoker? How do you think the two compare?
- Do you think it has been scary so far?
- What do you think Nanna Ellen did to Bram? Did she save his life or curse him forever?
- Who or what do you think is on the other side of that door?
- Share favorite quote!
Commenting
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The first several years of a Bram Stoker’s life was certainly interesting. He felt a connection with Nanna Ellen. He also trusted his sister Matilda. Nanna Ellen is likened to a wraith in the beginning. Bram noticed from the very beginning that Nanna had different colored eyes at certain times.
Artane Castle seems to be a place where Nanna could hang out.
After Nanna left Bram grew stronger. Why.
Matilda and Bram go to Artane Tower and finds the truth. (Whatever that is). The dirt bed under Nanna’s.bed and the dirt in the coffin in Artane Castle is telling us something.
The Stoker family motto is. “Whatever is right and honorable.”
I thought the eye color thing was really cool! I also liked that Matilda could never draw exactly what Nanna Ellen looked like. I’m guessing it’s a nod to not being able to see a vampire’s reflection.
Yes! I really want to know what Nanna Ellen did to Bram. Did she suck out the sickness? Did she turn him into a vampire? Is Nanna Ellen dead or immortal? So many questions I can’t wait to find out!
I highlighted their family motto too! They remind me of the Starks from Game of Thrones.
I remember Matilda and her sketches. Smart girl and observant.
We should all live by the Stoker family motto.
I agree!
Dracul has been a great story so far. I’m impressed how brave Dracul and his sister Matilda have been. I work with seven year olds now so it’s hard to envision them exploring like Matlilda and Dracul. I’m also impressed how curious they are and know Nanna Ellen is different. I believe children can notice so much more just because their minds are so much more open and still very curious about life. Adults go into auto pilot sometimes just trying to survive like Dracul’s parents. It makes you appreciate living in this time because it sounds like a tough time to live with all the hunger and poverty..
I’m looking forward to reading the rest.
I agree about children being more observant than we think. I also really enjoyed the quote “Perhaps your young age plays a part, but I have never seen someone accept and attempt to master a new skill so easily. Maybe it’s because adults lose the ability to imagine, to believe in that which is unknown. Children accept a mystery as fact, and move past it as clear as day, giving it nary a second thought.”
I don’t know if I would have been brave enough to follow but I had fewer fears as a child.
I couldn’t imagine living through such times. The 1800s would be hard enough as is but also living through sickness, poverty, and famine would be really tough.
There are a lot of unanswered questions. I’m excited to see what Parts II and III bring!
That might have been the quote I was looking for. I didn’t write it down or the page number and couldn’t find it.