Dracula

by Bram Stoker, Smashbooks

Overview

Dracula was first published as a hardcover book in 1897 by Archibald Constable and Co. It is an epistolary novel, told as a series of letters and journal entries. Dracula's influence on the popularity of vampires has been singularly responsible for many theatrical, film, and television interpretations since its publication.

Stoker came across the name “Dracula” in his reading on Romanian history, and chose this to replace the original name, Count Wampyr, that he had intended to use. Historically, the name "Dracula" is derived from a secret fraternal order of knights called the Order of the Dragon, founded by Sigismund of Luxembourg (king of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia, and Holy Roman Emperor) to uphold Christianity and defend the Empire against the Ottoman Turks. Vlad II Dracul was admitted to the order around 1431 because of his bravery in fighting the Turks. From 1431 onward, Vlad II wore the emblem of the order and later, as ruler of Wallachia, his coinage bore the dragon symbol. The name Dracula means "son of Dracul.” Vlad III, the son of Vlad II, otherwise known as “Vlad the Impaler,” was revered as a folk hero by Romanians for driving off the invading Ottoman Turks, and is said to have killed as many as 100,000 by using his favorite method of impaling them on a sharp pole.

Dracula helped set the stage for many famous vampires of our day, including those in Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles and Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940012207456
Publisher:	Smashbooks
Publication date:	12/26/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	425 KB

About the Author

Abraham (Bram) Stoker (1847-1912) is the author of one of the English language’s best-known books of mystery and horror, Dracula. Written in epistolary form, Dracula chronicles a vampire’s journey from Transylvania to the nighttime streets of London and is a virtual textbook of Victorian-era fears and anxieties. Stoker also wrote several other horror novels, including The Jewel of Seven Stars and The Lair of the White Worm.