Edit: I just read this for the second time, and it was even better than I’d remembered! This book has such a sense of fun!
I liked this book very muchEdit: I just read this for the second time, and it was even better than I’d remembered! This book has such a sense of fun!
I liked this book very much. In terms of its impact as a horror novel, it does not disappoint. The villain Dracula is as creepy as I'd hoped he'd be, and the initial chapters, which take the form of Jonathan Harker's journal as Dracula holds him captive, offer a gripping and highly suspenseful opening to the story. In terms of its impact as a late-Victorian text, it was certainly a fascinating read, for lack of a better word. I could never quite make up my mind what Stoker was trying to do, exactly. He portrayed sexist characters, but not without a certain degree of amusement, and I was never sure whether he was supporting it or subverting it. He portrayed -- or even almost parodied -- romance, suitors, British pride, and fear of the foreign. The main protagonists consist of a very competent, logical, hard-working woman (whom the male characters all seem to revere, not only for her wonderful womanliness, but also for her ability to prove herself equal to the men), and a whole team of men, whose camaraderie, compliments, and affirmations of friendship hover somewhere between campy and absurd. A lot of books could be described as campy, but what's singular about Dracula is that it's meant to be. It was a delight to read, and it lives completely up to the hype....more
Years ago, kid-me loved this book. Adult-me, on the other hand, isn’t feeling the love. I think this book really speaks to people like Meg—young, sligYears ago, kid-me loved this book. Adult-me, on the other hand, isn’t feeling the love. I think this book really speaks to people like Meg—young, slightly awkward, unsure of themselves. It affirms that they might grow into wonderful adults, even if they don’t feel wonderful as adolescents. However, as an adult, I simply feel judged. The adults in the story aren’t terribly realistic: the mom, in particular, is such a wonderful person because she’s extremely beautiful, young, poised, in control, dignified, brilliant, professional, and scientific. Kid-me was uncertain of things, but seeing as how I didn’t quite turn out to be a physicist-with-flawless-skin-and-a-genius-husband-and-four-kids, adult-me feels like a letdown. So yes, there’s an empowering message, but there are also impossible standards. For what it’s worth, I didn’t particularly like the mother. She is admired for not showing her emotions in front of her children, but she just comes off as distant and detached. And I was slightly bugged by the kitchen scene at the beginning: Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, and their mother all come down to the kitchen in the middle of the night for snacks. When the mom wants a sandwich, Charles Wallace prepares it for her. (He’s too young to be in school, so he’s, what? Four? Five at the most?) And the super-dignified, stoic mother somehow has no problem plopping herself down in the chair and letting him wait on her. I know this was supposed to show how capable and responsible the boy was (he spends most of his time taking care of his family), but it just makes the mom come off as lazy (with regard to the food) and inept (with regard to the family’s emotional well-being).
Some good points: Once the journey really begins, the story gets a lot better. The characters are interesting and believable, and the sci-fi elements work really well. I won’t give anything away, but there is a legit sense of wonder, and then the tension builds, and the whole experience is remarkably well-crafted. It doesn’t fall into the YA trap of having the parents be really stupid so the teens can shine. Here, the parents are respected and wise—but they still can’t save Meg all the time. She has to save herself. I liked the friend Calvin very much, and I think general optimism and straightforwardness elevated every scene he was in. Some of the story’s didacticism got a little heavy-handed, and I don’t think that all of their lessons (such as the one on free will) were necessarily supported by the story. Even so, it was an inspiring story in many respects. Meg’s anger is believable, and her character’s growth is solid and fun to read. Finally, the religious elements in the story are very well-handled. The Bible quotes really fit well into the story, without being too preachy. The religious themes are incorporated smoothly into the sci-fi world, and they give the story its heart. Meg is fighting the darkness; a sort of evil shadow. And what are her words of encouragement? “And the light shineth in the darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.” Beautiful.
Kid-me would have given this four or five stars. Grownup-me would give it three, except that the religious elements work so well in the story that I’m upping it a notch. :) Not as good as I remembered it, maybe, but still a wonderful adventure....more
This is possibly the best of the Narnia series. The imagery alone is just stunning. This story, in lacking a clear villain, beautifully parallels the This is possibly the best of the Narnia series. The imagery alone is just stunning. This story, in lacking a clear villain, beautifully parallels the life lived by faith. There is adventure and excitement, to be sure, but there is also a sense of tranquility; the idea of journeying ever closer to the unknown is masterfully portrayed. A must-read....more
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