Updated 03/06/2014
Despite obvious extensive research and the Stoker seal of approval belated Dracula sequel Dracula The Un-Dead is a wasted opportunity which panders to modern tastes instead of keeping faith with the original vampire classic.
Dacre Stoker and collaborator Ian Holt throw in everything from Elizabeth Bathory and Jack The Ripper to The Titanic creating a convoluted yarn which, although fast paced, struggles to find themes and focus.
This sort of Victorian Gothic Alternative History, or Literary Re-imagining, has been done far more successfully before by author Kim Newman whose Anno Dracula series is both effortless and ingenious in its use of similar settings and characters.
The Un-Dead reads more like a sequel to Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula movie and when Dracula intones to Mina’s son “I am your father!!!” you may just die laughing.
This is queued up in my to-be-read-at-some-point list. I, too, enjoyed Kjm Newman’s Anno Dracula which could have gone wrong in so many ways! Also looking forward to “Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter” later this month!
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Abe Lincoln does look magnificently pulpy so I will certainly be heading to the cinema! This is worth a read, I love the era, so even disappointing stories have some merits. Curse those reading lists/piles and mountains – I think there is already more than a lifetimes worth of reading in mine, and what about re-reads!
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Including Countess Bathory seems so grasping & petty. I’d be interested just to read this thing.
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It is worth a read purely for it’s audacious “gasp out loud” rubbishness. It really does throw everything in, which reeks of desperation – you could probably read it in less than a day! x
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I like garbage once in a while, I’ll find & read, thanks Lily.
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i enjoyed “interview with a vampire.” i have enjoyed very few vampire stories other than that.
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🙂 Then you have discerning taste Rich because Interview is my favourite vampire tale by far. I keep on reading in the hope of finding something as good, I love Dracula and I Am Legend but, unfortunately I’ve read far more terrible vampire books than good ones, and the publishing world certainly needs a break from sparkly boy-band vampires!
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boy band vampires. that’s funny. i have an idea for a vampire story, but i’m afraid it would just be ignored.
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I read an interview with Neil Gaiman recently and he said something very similar 🙂 I’m hoping that once the Twilight films have cleared the cinema it’ll be time for a genre re-boot. Maybe if you start on your story by the time you’re done with your edit that time will have come!
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Just reading the comments above, “Interview With a Vampire” in my opinion was not very good (as a movie). While I haven’t read the book, the movie could barely hold my attention and I feel that the book would be the same way. A good vampire story out there right now (again in my opinion) would be the American Vampire series of comics published by DC Comics subsidiary, Vertigo. These books are great, and some of my favorites in comics. If you get a chance to go to your local book store, pick one up and read it. I’m sure, unless you REALLY hate comics, that you will like them.
Otherwise, great post. I almost bought this book a few times at several Border’s going out of business sales. I am glad I didn’t. Obviously there is better out there, and I don’t have to waste my time. Thanks!
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Hi RT, I like the look of the DC series, another one for my seemingly endless “to read” list!
The Interview WTV film is seriously flawed, stunt casting, poor structure (I could go on). I love the locales, sets, costumes and score but it shies away from the book’s more contentious issues (which are, of course, the best parts!).
The Vampire Chronicles are primarily philosophical (nihilism v. existentialism), psuedo-intellectual, enormously bombastic and definitely not for everyone! The bookish “girly” side of me loves them, the horror afficionado prefers 30 Days Of Night and the Requiem: Vampire Knight series! xx
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I am so bored with the vampire thing – its been played to death (pun intended) – it would take something extrordinary to get my attention (and not vampires that sparkle in daylight). I agree, ‘Intv. w/a Vampire’ was a great read, and just a good movie – one of those stories that couldn’t be completely translated to the screen. But, I liked the 2nd book in the series, ‘The Vampire Lestat’ even better. Has there been any good books about Countess Bathory?
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I read a book about the Countess years ago and I can’t remember what it was called or who wrote it (a library find). There’s a Tom Holland book called Supping With Panther’s that has a brilliant lady vampire lead (the first book in the series features Lord Byron as a vamp and it’s far to “Interviewy”!
I really, really recommend Kim Newman’s Anno Dracula books if you haven’t read them – there’s a review on my site from just a week or so ago, they are brilliant.
I also loved Anne Rice’s follow up vampire novels, I’ve read them all. They do trail off a bit as the series progresses but Armand and Blackwood Farm were highlights!
I love your site. Drop by again soon x
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Yeah, i’ve heard about the Anno Drac, books, perhaps even read your review. I have the 1st one cued up in my wish list but haven’t purchased it yet.
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I’m not sure about books about Countess Bathory, but there is an excellent film called “The Countess” staring, directed, and written by Julie Delpy.
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🙂 I must look out for this one. The only one I’ve seen is some nonsense with Anna Friel in it x
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I remember meeting Dacre Stoker three years ago when Dracula was the book of the year for Dublin city (I was involved in a stage re-enactment of Bram Stoker’s wedding). Did it just come out recently! It’s a pity if it’s not a modern classic…should like to read it. Thank you Lily for the review!
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I think it has been out for a couple of years. It was co-written and I suspect Dacre’s main contribution was his name!
It’s nice to be reaquainted with the characters but i was a little disappointed.
If you read it let me know what you think x
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Oh I thought so, because when Dacre came to Dublin it was partly to promote the upcoming book; but I had been wondering why I hadn’t heard much of the book if it had come out…He seemed quite knowledgeable on the subject, in any case.
Yes, that would definitely make an interesting reading project – oh so many book reviews to write! 🙂 I’ll let you know when I’ve gotten my hands on a copy.
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Reblogged this on Lily Wight.
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Dracula the Un-Dead was one of the most painful books I’ve ever read. It never would have been published if one of the authors wasn’t Bram Stokers grandson. Also, the book broke history. It just through in a all the historical events that happened within 50 years and said that Dracula did it.
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LMAO – quite. I was very disappointed with it 😦
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Haven’t seen the movie – but Abe Lincoln book was good in my opinion. Uses photoshopped images and solid history research to hover just near the edge of plausibility. Nice surprise ending. Was a fun holiday read.
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I’ve heard good things about the Abe book, but don’t see the film – a good idea poorly executed x
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That’s a shame the movie didn’t do the book justice.
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