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Dracula's Guest
Nine tales of horror and suspense from the pen of the master of the macabre.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1914
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15552 people want to read
About the author
Bram Stoker
2,536 books5,693 followersIrish-born Abraham Stoker, known as Bram, of Britain wrote the gothic horror novel
Dracula
(1897).
The feminist Charlotte Mathilda Blake Thornely Stoker at 15 Marino crescent, then as now called "the crescent," in Fairview, a coastal suburb of Dublin, Ireland, bore this third of seven children. The parents, members of church of Ireland, attended the parish church of Saint John the Baptist, located on Seafield road west in Clontarf with their baptized children.
Stoker, an invalid, started school at the age of seven years in 1854, when he made a complete and astounding recovery. Of this time, Stoker wrote, "I was naturally thoughtful, and the leisure of long illness gave opportunity for many thoughts which were fruitful according to their kind in later years."
After his recovery, he, a normal young man, even excelled as a university athlete at Trinity college, Dublin form 1864 to 1870 and graduated with honors in mathematics. He served as auditor of the college historical society and as president of the university philosophical society with his first paper on "Sensationalism in Fiction and Society."
In 1876, while employed as a civil servant in Dublin, Stoker wrote a non-fiction book (The Duties of Clerks of Petty Sessions in Ireland, published 1879) and theatre reviews for The Dublin Mail, a newspaper partly owned by fellow horror writer J. Sheridan Le Fanu. His interest in theatre led to a lifelong friendship with the English actor Henry Irving. He also wrote stories, and in 1872 "The Crystal Cup" was published by the London Society, followed by "The Chain of Destiny" in four parts in The Shamrock.
In 1878 Stoker married Florence Balcombe, a celebrated beauty whose former suitor was Oscar Wilde. The couple moved to London, where Stoker became business manager (at first as acting-manager) of Irving's Lyceum Theatre, a post he held for 27 years. The collaboration with Irving was very important for Stoker and through him he became involved in London's high society, where he met, among other notables, James McNeil Whistler, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In the course of Irving's tours, Stoker got the chance to travel around the world.
The Stokers had one son, Irving Noel, who was born on December 31, 1879.
People cremated the body of Bram Stoker and placed his ashes placed in a display urn at Golders green crematorium. After death of Irving Noel Stoker in 1961, people added his ashes to that urn. Despite the original plan to keep ashes of his parents together, after death, people scattered ashes of Florence Stoker at the gardens of rest.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bram_Stoker
The feminist Charlotte Mathilda Blake Thornely Stoker at 15 Marino crescent, then as now called "the crescent," in Fairview, a coastal suburb of Dublin, Ireland, bore this third of seven children. The parents, members of church of Ireland, attended the parish church of Saint John the Baptist, located on Seafield road west in Clontarf with their baptized children.
Stoker, an invalid, started school at the age of seven years in 1854, when he made a complete and astounding recovery. Of this time, Stoker wrote, "I was naturally thoughtful, and the leisure of long illness gave opportunity for many thoughts which were fruitful according to their kind in later years."
After his recovery, he, a normal young man, even excelled as a university athlete at Trinity college, Dublin form 1864 to 1870 and graduated with honors in mathematics. He served as auditor of the college historical society and as president of the university philosophical society with his first paper on "Sensationalism in Fiction and Society."
In 1876, while employed as a civil servant in Dublin, Stoker wrote a non-fiction book (The Duties of Clerks of Petty Sessions in Ireland, published 1879) and theatre reviews for The Dublin Mail, a newspaper partly owned by fellow horror writer J. Sheridan Le Fanu. His interest in theatre led to a lifelong friendship with the English actor Henry Irving. He also wrote stories, and in 1872 "The Crystal Cup" was published by the London Society, followed by "The Chain of Destiny" in four parts in The Shamrock.
In 1878 Stoker married Florence Balcombe, a celebrated beauty whose former suitor was Oscar Wilde. The couple moved to London, where Stoker became business manager (at first as acting-manager) of Irving's Lyceum Theatre, a post he held for 27 years. The collaboration with Irving was very important for Stoker and through him he became involved in London's high society, where he met, among other notables, James McNeil Whistler, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In the course of Irving's tours, Stoker got the chance to travel around the world.
The Stokers had one son, Irving Noel, who was born on December 31, 1879.
People cremated the body of Bram Stoker and placed his ashes placed in a display urn at Golders green crematorium. After death of Irving Noel Stoker in 1961, people added his ashes to that urn. Despite the original plan to keep ashes of his parents together, after death, people scattered ashes of Florence Stoker at the gardens of rest.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bram_Stoker
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March 15, 2023
There is something so strange in all of this, something so unnatural and macabre in what I am about to tell you. Impossible to imagine… but real none the less.....
'With a despairing gesture the coachman left me at the edge of this ‘unholy place’. Ominously the horses too stirred as the night closed in and a heavy and deathly atmosphere cloaked everything that breathed life. Even nature seemed to bow to an invisible force.
However, it was my inquisitive nature that took me to the village that had been uninhabited for centuries on this night above all nights – Walpurgis Night when the devil called forth the dead and opened the tombs of those restless souls who had yet to enjoy the serenity of death.
Then it happened – and they say ‘the dead travel fast’….
A sense of weariness and dread helped keep me in the safety of my present semi-conscious state because above me loomed a large beast. Mouth red with blood – my blood, and around us the white glare of the ‘sheeted dead’.
Yet as quickly as events turned against me, I was later informed that my rescue was assured by my inconspicuous host – Count Dracula.
“Be careful of my guest – his safety is most precious to me. Should aught happen to him, or if he be missed, spare nothing to find him…. I answer your zeal with my fortune” – Dracula.'
Review and Comments
Even in this wonderful and haunting short story, the macabre writing style of Bram Stoker is a treasure to behold. A legend who can create such vivid imagery that the reader feels transported into a world of the living dead.
Why Bram Stoker deleted this from the original ‘Dracula’ book is a myth but as a short story it worked really well because there is nothing diminished in the story telling. Still gripping, stirring and suspenseful.
Highly recommended to all guests who want to break up some of those heavier and longer books with a short story.
More chilling than horror and who wouldn’t want to be Dracula's guest - 'bloody' great hospitality!!! Fang-tastic.
'With a despairing gesture the coachman left me at the edge of this ‘unholy place’. Ominously the horses too stirred as the night closed in and a heavy and deathly atmosphere cloaked everything that breathed life. Even nature seemed to bow to an invisible force.
However, it was my inquisitive nature that took me to the village that had been uninhabited for centuries on this night above all nights – Walpurgis Night when the devil called forth the dead and opened the tombs of those restless souls who had yet to enjoy the serenity of death.
Then it happened – and they say ‘the dead travel fast’….
A sense of weariness and dread helped keep me in the safety of my present semi-conscious state because above me loomed a large beast. Mouth red with blood – my blood, and around us the white glare of the ‘sheeted dead’.
Yet as quickly as events turned against me, I was later informed that my rescue was assured by my inconspicuous host – Count Dracula.
“Be careful of my guest – his safety is most precious to me. Should aught happen to him, or if he be missed, spare nothing to find him…. I answer your zeal with my fortune” – Dracula.'
Review and Comments
Even in this wonderful and haunting short story, the macabre writing style of Bram Stoker is a treasure to behold. A legend who can create such vivid imagery that the reader feels transported into a world of the living dead.
Why Bram Stoker deleted this from the original ‘Dracula’ book is a myth but as a short story it worked really well because there is nothing diminished in the story telling. Still gripping, stirring and suspenseful.
Highly recommended to all guests who want to break up some of those heavier and longer books with a short story.
More chilling than horror and who wouldn’t want to be Dracula's guest - 'bloody' great hospitality!!! Fang-tastic.
June 16, 2021
"Dracula's Guest" is a deleted chapter from Dracula (1897) that was published by Bram Stoker's wife after his death. She described it as a "hitherto unpublished episode" from Dracula, but it reads much less like an episode and much more like a scrapped opening chapter.
For those familiar with the iconic novel, you know that the opening chapters deal with Jonathan Harker's journey to Castle Dracula, the many red flags along the way, and the eventual realization of being trapped with the blood-thirsty vampire. "Dracula's Guest" attempts to create the same sense of dreaded foreboding before reaching the castle, but in a slightly different way. In this version, Harker insists upon venturing down an "unholy" road despite protests from the locals. Naturally he gets lost in a sublime snow tempest and encounters spooky things along the way.
Harker's wrong turn renders some opioid-infused descriptions of surreal swoons and moody weather, plus an unpleasant detour in a graveyard and encounters with snarling wolves. Given Dracula is generally more prone to subtlety, this chapter is an enjoyable read for its in-your-face drama if nothing else. There's also a clear allusion to Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's earlier vampire novel, Carmilla (1872), which will be of interest to literary nerds.
No question Stoker made the right decision with cutting this chapter, however. Say what you will about the occasional slowness of Dracula, but the relentless, building terror of those opening chapters are absolute perfection. "Dracula's Guest" moves too fast and goes too big. The pacing is all wrong for the rest of the novel, there's little sense of characterization outside of Harker being a stubborn "adventurous” Englishman, and the surreal scares are too bizarre to offer any real chills.
Still, a lovely snippet from Stoker's world that is absolutely worth reading after experiencing the wonders of Dracula!
For those familiar with the iconic novel, you know that the opening chapters deal with Jonathan Harker's journey to Castle Dracula, the many red flags along the way, and the eventual realization of being trapped with the blood-thirsty vampire. "Dracula's Guest" attempts to create the same sense of dreaded foreboding before reaching the castle, but in a slightly different way. In this version, Harker insists upon venturing down an "unholy" road despite protests from the locals. Naturally he gets lost in a sublime snow tempest and encounters spooky things along the way.
Harker's wrong turn renders some opioid-infused descriptions of surreal swoons and moody weather, plus an unpleasant detour in a graveyard and encounters with snarling wolves. Given Dracula is generally more prone to subtlety, this chapter is an enjoyable read for its in-your-face drama if nothing else. There's also a clear allusion to Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's earlier vampire novel, Carmilla (1872), which will be of interest to literary nerds.
No question Stoker made the right decision with cutting this chapter, however. Say what you will about the occasional slowness of Dracula, but the relentless, building terror of those opening chapters are absolute perfection. "Dracula's Guest" moves too fast and goes too big. The pacing is all wrong for the rest of the novel, there's little sense of characterization outside of Harker being a stubborn "adventurous” Englishman, and the surreal scares are too bizarre to offer any real chills.
Still, a lovely snippet from Stoker's world that is absolutely worth reading after experiencing the wonders of Dracula!
September 20, 2024
Dracula's Guest (Bram Stoker, 1914) is a minor curiosity. English publishers amputate the novel's first chapter for length reasons. However, this text, together with other short stories, will be published two years after the death of Bram Stoker by his widow.
Before his stopover in Budapest, Jonathan Harker stopped in Munich at the Hotel des Quatre Saisons. He decides to walk and discover an abandoned village where dark legends circulate. Surprised by the storm at nightfall, he takes refuge in the cemetery and enters the vault of a certain Countess, Dolingen of Gratz, in Styria. This nightfall will be our solicitor's first contact with an "undead" and a first encounter with a sympathetic wolf darned interested in… her neck… We are indeed Walpurgis night!
For the curious, note that if the widow of the author saved the truncated introduction of the novel, it was not the same for the conclusion, which the publisher also deleted. To my knowledge, this text was utterly unpublished. It appeared in the original manuscript sold at auction on April 17, 2002, at Christie's (New York) for the modest sum of one million euros. Let's hope that the wealthy collector will make us benefit from it one day: this "alternative" chapter tells how it destroyed the vampire during a volcanic cataclysm.
Before his stopover in Budapest, Jonathan Harker stopped in Munich at the Hotel des Quatre Saisons. He decides to walk and discover an abandoned village where dark legends circulate. Surprised by the storm at nightfall, he takes refuge in the cemetery and enters the vault of a certain Countess, Dolingen of Gratz, in Styria. This nightfall will be our solicitor's first contact with an "undead" and a first encounter with a sympathetic wolf darned interested in… her neck… We are indeed Walpurgis night!
For the curious, note that if the widow of the author saved the truncated introduction of the novel, it was not the same for the conclusion, which the publisher also deleted. To my knowledge, this text was utterly unpublished. It appeared in the original manuscript sold at auction on April 17, 2002, at Christie's (New York) for the modest sum of one million euros. Let's hope that the wealthy collector will make us benefit from it one day: this "alternative" chapter tells how it destroyed the vampire during a volcanic cataclysm.
November 4, 2023
Dracula's Guest by Bram Stoker is a Classic Horror Short Story!
Dracula's Guest is an excerpt from Bram Stoker's original manuscript of Dracula that was edited out in order to shorten the novel before it was published in 1897.
This short read, thought to be the original first chapter, was later published in 1914, two years after the author's death, as part of a Short Story Collection titled Dracula's Guest and Other Weird Stories.
Dracula's Guest is told in the first-person voice of an unnamed protagonist who is described as an Englishman. It takes place on Walpurgis Night, when everything that is evil is said to roam freely and carouse wildly. Despite being advised before and during his carriage ride of certain precautions, the Englishman takes it upon himself to wander off on his own...
This snippet of Bram Stoker's writing style is like sampling a skilled artisan's craft. There is an intentional formality to the protagonist's verbiage used to conjure up a Gothic atmosphere that's dark, foreboding, and threatening. The imagery produced by the author's storytelling ability is true Classic Horror.
Dracula's Guest is a 33M audiobook narrated by James Langton who portrays the unnamed Englishman perfectly in every way.
I recommend Dracula's Guest to readers who want to sample this author's writing style and storytelling. That's what I did here, now I want more of Bram Stoker, and I'll definitely be reading Dracula in Spooky October 2024!
4⭐
Dracula's Guest is an excerpt from Bram Stoker's original manuscript of Dracula that was edited out in order to shorten the novel before it was published in 1897.
This short read, thought to be the original first chapter, was later published in 1914, two years after the author's death, as part of a Short Story Collection titled Dracula's Guest and Other Weird Stories.
Dracula's Guest is told in the first-person voice of an unnamed protagonist who is described as an Englishman. It takes place on Walpurgis Night, when everything that is evil is said to roam freely and carouse wildly. Despite being advised before and during his carriage ride of certain precautions, the Englishman takes it upon himself to wander off on his own...
This snippet of Bram Stoker's writing style is like sampling a skilled artisan's craft. There is an intentional formality to the protagonist's verbiage used to conjure up a Gothic atmosphere that's dark, foreboding, and threatening. The imagery produced by the author's storytelling ability is true Classic Horror.
Dracula's Guest is a 33M audiobook narrated by James Langton who portrays the unnamed Englishman perfectly in every way.
I recommend Dracula's Guest to readers who want to sample this author's writing style and storytelling. That's what I did here, now I want more of Bram Stoker, and I'll definitely be reading Dracula in Spooky October 2024!
4⭐
October 28, 2024
While poking around for new finds on the topic of Dracula (especially those told by both Stokers), I stumbled upon this short story by the elder Stoker. In rural Germany, a man is travelling by coach and chooses to stray off the beaten path. He makes his way to a manor house and into a sizeable cemetery, where one large tombstone catches his eye. With the sound of wolves filling the air, one such creature soon appears on the scene, as though it felt the need to mark its territory. Alone and in a foreign land at night, our protagonist might have met his match in a lupine enemy, but there’s a twist... read the story to find out a little more! A great addition to anyone who loves Dracula or Stoker’s writing.
As I read this piece, I felt as though I had already come across it in the past, though I cannot place where I might have done so. Without tipping my hand too much, the title of the piece might not be as truthful for those who skim through the story, though it does have a deeper meaning if you take the time to think about it. Written in 1914–or at least published at that time—it has quite the feel of the original Dracula story, though any reader who has delved into Dacre Stoker’s sequel to the Dracula piece will see some parallels there as well. The piece flows really well, though it seems to be done just as it is getting started. I’d almost have wanted more, though Stoker does a fine job with his descriptions and build-up. I would say that anyone handed this piece and told to ‘get into’ Dracula with it will likely not return to seek out the classic novel, but there is a definite horror aspect that only Stoker can create.
Kudos, Mr. Stoker, for such a great short story. I hope many will take the time to read this after they have invested time in your masterwork on the subject!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
As I read this piece, I felt as though I had already come across it in the past, though I cannot place where I might have done so. Without tipping my hand too much, the title of the piece might not be as truthful for those who skim through the story, though it does have a deeper meaning if you take the time to think about it. Written in 1914–or at least published at that time—it has quite the feel of the original Dracula story, though any reader who has delved into Dacre Stoker’s sequel to the Dracula piece will see some parallels there as well. The piece flows really well, though it seems to be done just as it is getting started. I’d almost have wanted more, though Stoker does a fine job with his descriptions and build-up. I would say that anyone handed this piece and told to ‘get into’ Dracula with it will likely not return to seek out the classic novel, but there is a definite horror aspect that only Stoker can create.
Kudos, Mr. Stoker, for such a great short story. I hope many will take the time to read this after they have invested time in your masterwork on the subject!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
August 31, 2022
Esta excelente colección de relatos breves del autor de Dracula fue publicada después de la muerte de Stoker por su viuda Florence, y aunque la edición que he leído sólo incluye cuatro de los nueve cuentos que constituyen la totalidad de la antología, no deja de ser un buen ejemplo del arte narrativo de uno de los más emblemáticos autores de la ficción gótica de todos los tiempos.
"El huésped de Drácula" fue originalmente concebido como un capítulo introductorio de la celebérrima novela de vampiros, mientras que los demás habían sido publicados en diversos periódicos anglosajones. Yo tuve la fortuna de leer este cuento, muchos años atrás, en la magnífica edición de Dracula que Oveja Negra ofreció como parte de su colección Best-Sellers durante los '80s.
Siendo como es una joya prosística, "El huésped de Drácula" inaugura perfectamente el volumen, pero mi relato favorito debe de ser "La casa del juez", una pequeña obra maestra de horror que dosifica a la maravilla suspenso y ambientación. También disfruté muchísimo "La squaw". Ambos trabajos muestran una vez más el dominio que Stoker poseía sobre las convenciones del gótico --sus escenarios macabros y las insólitas criaturas que los habitan--, y las posibilidades de tales elementos para atrapar la imaginación.
Asimismo la colección señala el interés de su autor por la aventura de lo desconocido y lo sobrenatural (relacionado con la maldad). "El entierro de las ratas" propone una excepción a esto último, pero confirma la capacidad ficcional de Stoker, aunque, y pese a su extensión, resulta ser su narración menos prolija. Se trata de un eficaz cuadro de supervivencia casi apocalíptica, en el cual el protagonista es perseguido por seres humanos marginales que pueden recordar a los zombies; sin embargo, curiosamente me ha parecido su relato menos logrado.
Recomiendo Dracula's Guest and Other Weird Stories, en cualquiera de sus versiones.
"El huésped de Drácula" fue originalmente concebido como un capítulo introductorio de la celebérrima novela de vampiros, mientras que los demás habían sido publicados en diversos periódicos anglosajones. Yo tuve la fortuna de leer este cuento, muchos años atrás, en la magnífica edición de Dracula que Oveja Negra ofreció como parte de su colección Best-Sellers durante los '80s.
Siendo como es una joya prosística, "El huésped de Drácula" inaugura perfectamente el volumen, pero mi relato favorito debe de ser "La casa del juez", una pequeña obra maestra de horror que dosifica a la maravilla suspenso y ambientación. También disfruté muchísimo "La squaw". Ambos trabajos muestran una vez más el dominio que Stoker poseía sobre las convenciones del gótico --sus escenarios macabros y las insólitas criaturas que los habitan--, y las posibilidades de tales elementos para atrapar la imaginación.
Asimismo la colección señala el interés de su autor por la aventura de lo desconocido y lo sobrenatural (relacionado con la maldad). "El entierro de las ratas" propone una excepción a esto último, pero confirma la capacidad ficcional de Stoker, aunque, y pese a su extensión, resulta ser su narración menos prolija. Se trata de un eficaz cuadro de supervivencia casi apocalíptica, en el cual el protagonista es perseguido por seres humanos marginales que pueden recordar a los zombies; sin embargo, curiosamente me ha parecido su relato menos logrado.
Recomiendo Dracula's Guest and Other Weird Stories, en cualquiera de sus versiones.
December 2, 2019
A Brazilian audiobook. I loved this short story and the narration too. The blurb: "An Englishman on his way to Transylvania doesn't listen to his hotelier's warnings, and wanders off to an abandoned village. As a storm breaks, the man ends up in a cemetery, where he's forced to take shelter in a tomb. The short story "Dracula's Guest" was first published in 1914, two years after the death of Bram Stoker. It is believed that this is actually the deleted first chapter from the original "Dracula" manuscript, which the publisher felt was superfluous to the story."
October 19, 2019
Ha! It all sounds so familiar....if you're acquainted with DRACULA.
Munich. A visiting, adventurous Englishman out for a leisurely carriage ride, the warning to return before dark. Howling wolves, frightened horses and thick clouds followed by a storm of hail and snow....and the unholy village cemetery of buried undead. The carriage long gone, the man now alone........
Walpurgis Night - "when the graves were open and the dead came forth and walked. When all evil things of earth and air and water held revel."
A short gothic read from the post-humous collection of Bram Stoker. (illustrations creepy-cool, but unfortunately very small in my kindle edition.)
October 9, 2022
Velcome to my house! I am Count Dracula, and I am pleased to have you as my Guest. Von't you sit down? Perhaps have a glass of rainwater Madeira? They say it is good for the blood.
Ah, I see you admire my library. It has been a labor of love for me. I have collected these books over many hundreds, I mean, many dozens of years. We are rather isolated here in my lonely castle, so perhaps a good book will comfort you should the nights become dreary.
This particular volume may be of interest to you. Yes, it is "Dracula's Guest." How fitting, would you not agree? Tis a first edition from 1914, though many of the stories here are much older, hailing from Christmas periodicals and other such dreadful publications.
Your humble host is, of course, indebted to Mr. Stoker for his kindness in writing a book about me, and the good name of Dracula is now known as it should be across the vorld. But you didn't know that he wrote a sequel to that beloved father of all vampire tales? Vell, that is completely understandable. It is not so much a sequel as it is. I don't even appear in it per se. An excerpt from the first draft of the original novel, removed to improve the pacing, I understand, but which then reappeared two years after Mr. Stoker's death as this stand-alone tale, one of several that you will find in this book.
I varn you, it is a book of horror. But I sense courage flows through your veins. Your blood is strong. I think you vill enjoy it. Allow me to give you a little preview of each story.
I would be remiss in not mentioning the titular story first. A young man finds himself vacationing in the snowy forests of Germany. He is an Englishman and therefore adventurous. He is also a fool. His carriage driver has the sense to discourage him, but he decides to valk alone through the graveyards on Valpurgis Night. Who is the main character, ve are never told. It could be Jonathan Harker, if you recall the original novel. Or it could be my dear companion Renfield, before we became officially acquainted. Mr. Stoker took some liberties with my relationship with him as you may know. Renfield is very much alive, and we remain--inseparable to this day. But I do not know who Stoker intended to be the lead man here, but vat does it matter? In a way, I am the hero of this little tale, so I'm sure you'll understand that this is my favorite of the collection. Five... FIVE dazzling Stars! Ah, ah, ah!
I am told you are a connoisseur of the old Amicus and Hammer anthologies. That is so? Then you will delight in "The Judge's House," my friend. Here, a mathematics student is distracted from his work by a rat infestation in a rented house. A little contrived, I admit, but a serviceable classic ghost story that is perfect for a quick spooky read on a blustery night. Four, four pointy Stars! Ah, ah, ah!
But the next story is the most contrived of all, I'm afraid! "The Squaw" is notable for being one of the silliest things I've ever read and years. It features another fool, an American stereotype who, for some reason that escapes me, is accompanying a couple on their honeymoon travels. But before you can say "menage a trois," the mad cowboy proceeds to do the most ridiculously reckless things you could ever imagine while they are touring an old castle in Nuremberg--leading to a predictably gory end. Oh, I delighted at the description of all that blood! But good riddance to one of the most irksome personalities in all of literature. Still, it has a great Gothic atmosphere, and never before have cats been more frightening, but I think this may have started the trend of bad decisions by horror protagonists in both books and film. I myself find the tale entertaining, but I can't rate it any higher than three... three twinkling Stars! Ah, ah, ah!
"The Secret of Growing Gold" taught me that if you're going to commit murder, make sure you do your diligence when hiding the body. The last heir of an ancient family murders the woman he has been living with "in sin," and in true Poe fashion, she reaches out from the grave for her revenge. A classic Gothic horror. Four, four shining Stars! Ah, ah, ah!
"The Gipsy Prophecy" concerns a young man who has his fortune told by a Bohemian queen--and told he will murder his wife. His friend advises that this frightening bit of news not be mentioned to the spouse, but like the rest of the fools in this compilation, he defies the sagacity of greater minds. Vell, obviously she doesn't find the situation at all amusing. You can skip this one, my friend. It is about as exciting as... Bucharest--on a Saturday night. Two, two falling Stars! Ah, ah, ah!
"The Coming of Abel Behenna" lends a fairy tale quality to a story about two young lads who toss a coin for the hand of the voman they both love. Unfortunately, one of them is a sore loser. A ghoulish morality parable. Four, four dazzling Stars! Ah, ah, ah!
I see your glass is empty! Please, allow me. And forgive me for not joining you. I never drink... vine. Ah, this next tale does give me just a twinge of jealousy. "A Dream of Red Hands" is a symbolic tale of the redemption of a noble soul. Four, four heavenly Stars! Ah, ah, ah!
Here is another story, called "Burial of the Rats," that informs me that Mr. Stoker had an irrational fear of rodents. Renfield, on the other hand, loves the little children of the night. But this is more of a simple tale of pursuit, involving another fool tourist who travels unarmed to a dangerous part of Paris, where he shows off his ring to a band of desperate thieves who will murder just too scavenge the pockets of the unwary. Three, three cute little stars! Ah, ah, ah!
The collection ends on a comedic note with the story "Crooken Sands." An English merchant and his family are vacationing in Scotland, and he is infatuated with the traditional dress of the Highland chiefs. So he commissions such an outfit for himself, and the results are amusing. Four, four funny Stars! Ah, ah, ah!
I trust you are tired from your journey, and your room has been prepared. I tend to keep late hours, and so if you do not see me about in the morning, perhaps this book vill entertain you until ve meet again. Good night, my literate friend. Pleasant dreams! Ah, ah, ah!
Ah, I see you admire my library. It has been a labor of love for me. I have collected these books over many hundreds, I mean, many dozens of years. We are rather isolated here in my lonely castle, so perhaps a good book will comfort you should the nights become dreary.
This particular volume may be of interest to you. Yes, it is "Dracula's Guest." How fitting, would you not agree? Tis a first edition from 1914, though many of the stories here are much older, hailing from Christmas periodicals and other such dreadful publications.
Your humble host is, of course, indebted to Mr. Stoker for his kindness in writing a book about me, and the good name of Dracula is now known as it should be across the vorld. But you didn't know that he wrote a sequel to that beloved father of all vampire tales? Vell, that is completely understandable. It is not so much a sequel as it is. I don't even appear in it per se. An excerpt from the first draft of the original novel, removed to improve the pacing, I understand, but which then reappeared two years after Mr. Stoker's death as this stand-alone tale, one of several that you will find in this book.
I varn you, it is a book of horror. But I sense courage flows through your veins. Your blood is strong. I think you vill enjoy it. Allow me to give you a little preview of each story.
I would be remiss in not mentioning the titular story first. A young man finds himself vacationing in the snowy forests of Germany. He is an Englishman and therefore adventurous. He is also a fool. His carriage driver has the sense to discourage him, but he decides to valk alone through the graveyards on Valpurgis Night. Who is the main character, ve are never told. It could be Jonathan Harker, if you recall the original novel. Or it could be my dear companion Renfield, before we became officially acquainted. Mr. Stoker took some liberties with my relationship with him as you may know. Renfield is very much alive, and we remain--inseparable to this day. But I do not know who Stoker intended to be the lead man here, but vat does it matter? In a way, I am the hero of this little tale, so I'm sure you'll understand that this is my favorite of the collection. Five... FIVE dazzling Stars! Ah, ah, ah!
I am told you are a connoisseur of the old Amicus and Hammer anthologies. That is so? Then you will delight in "The Judge's House," my friend. Here, a mathematics student is distracted from his work by a rat infestation in a rented house. A little contrived, I admit, but a serviceable classic ghost story that is perfect for a quick spooky read on a blustery night. Four, four pointy Stars! Ah, ah, ah!
But the next story is the most contrived of all, I'm afraid! "The Squaw" is notable for being one of the silliest things I've ever read and years. It features another fool, an American stereotype who, for some reason that escapes me, is accompanying a couple on their honeymoon travels. But before you can say "menage a trois," the mad cowboy proceeds to do the most ridiculously reckless things you could ever imagine while they are touring an old castle in Nuremberg--leading to a predictably gory end. Oh, I delighted at the description of all that blood! But good riddance to one of the most irksome personalities in all of literature. Still, it has a great Gothic atmosphere, and never before have cats been more frightening, but I think this may have started the trend of bad decisions by horror protagonists in both books and film. I myself find the tale entertaining, but I can't rate it any higher than three... three twinkling Stars! Ah, ah, ah!
"The Secret of Growing Gold" taught me that if you're going to commit murder, make sure you do your diligence when hiding the body. The last heir of an ancient family murders the woman he has been living with "in sin," and in true Poe fashion, she reaches out from the grave for her revenge. A classic Gothic horror. Four, four shining Stars! Ah, ah, ah!
"The Gipsy Prophecy" concerns a young man who has his fortune told by a Bohemian queen--and told he will murder his wife. His friend advises that this frightening bit of news not be mentioned to the spouse, but like the rest of the fools in this compilation, he defies the sagacity of greater minds. Vell, obviously she doesn't find the situation at all amusing. You can skip this one, my friend. It is about as exciting as... Bucharest--on a Saturday night. Two, two falling Stars! Ah, ah, ah!
"The Coming of Abel Behenna" lends a fairy tale quality to a story about two young lads who toss a coin for the hand of the voman they both love. Unfortunately, one of them is a sore loser. A ghoulish morality parable. Four, four dazzling Stars! Ah, ah, ah!
I see your glass is empty! Please, allow me. And forgive me for not joining you. I never drink... vine. Ah, this next tale does give me just a twinge of jealousy. "A Dream of Red Hands" is a symbolic tale of the redemption of a noble soul. Four, four heavenly Stars! Ah, ah, ah!
Here is another story, called "Burial of the Rats," that informs me that Mr. Stoker had an irrational fear of rodents. Renfield, on the other hand, loves the little children of the night. But this is more of a simple tale of pursuit, involving another fool tourist who travels unarmed to a dangerous part of Paris, where he shows off his ring to a band of desperate thieves who will murder just too scavenge the pockets of the unwary. Three, three cute little stars! Ah, ah, ah!
The collection ends on a comedic note with the story "Crooken Sands." An English merchant and his family are vacationing in Scotland, and he is infatuated with the traditional dress of the Highland chiefs. So he commissions such an outfit for himself, and the results are amusing. Four, four funny Stars! Ah, ah, ah!
I trust you are tired from your journey, and your room has been prepared. I tend to keep late hours, and so if you do not see me about in the morning, perhaps this book vill entertain you until ve meet again. Good night, my literate friend. Pleasant dreams! Ah, ah, ah!
July 11, 2013
This is not actually a sequel to Dracula but a collection of short stories by Stoker. I've written a couple of lines about each of them.
Dracula’s Guest: This is part of the original Dracula which was cut to reduce the length. It has very little to do with Dracula (the character and the book) and is a bit of an odd story really. That being said they are so very creepy moments in it.
The Judge’s House: A haunted house story which is absolutely fantastic. It’s chilling.
The Squaw: A particularly gruesome story involving cats. Predictable but contains some fantastic imagery.
The Secret of the Growing Gold: A weird ghost story, which I didn’t like very much.
A Gipsy Prophecy: The classic format of characters learning a prophecy and then trying to stop it coming true. It doesn’t do what you expect it to do and this is really pleasing.
The Coming of Abel Behenna: Two men fall in love with the same woman. Only one can marry her and it seems they will go to any length to ensure they can have her.
The Burial of the Rats: This story confused me. It’s mostly a long chase but I just didn’t get what the point of the story was. Mind you, what the title actually means pretty unpleasant…
A Dream of Red Hands: The story of a bad dream and a man desperate to make up for past sins. Not exactly a horror story but it makes you think about whether people should be forgiven for their crimes.
Crooken Sands: This begins as a very funny story and then turns into a great little psychological tale. I was beginning to think the stories got worse as they went along but this one was one of the best of the book and a great way to end.
Overall it's a great collection of gothic horror stories. In some ways it's very much of it's time with women feeling less important (they mostly faint in these stories), though I found that odd considering Dracula portrays some quite strong female characters. If you want some gothic horror then you can't go far wrong with this collection.
Dracula’s Guest: This is part of the original Dracula which was cut to reduce the length. It has very little to do with Dracula (the character and the book) and is a bit of an odd story really. That being said they are so very creepy moments in it.
The Judge’s House: A haunted house story which is absolutely fantastic. It’s chilling.
The Squaw: A particularly gruesome story involving cats. Predictable but contains some fantastic imagery.
The Secret of the Growing Gold: A weird ghost story, which I didn’t like very much.
A Gipsy Prophecy: The classic format of characters learning a prophecy and then trying to stop it coming true. It doesn’t do what you expect it to do and this is really pleasing.
The Coming of Abel Behenna: Two men fall in love with the same woman. Only one can marry her and it seems they will go to any length to ensure they can have her.
The Burial of the Rats: This story confused me. It’s mostly a long chase but I just didn’t get what the point of the story was. Mind you, what the title actually means pretty unpleasant…
A Dream of Red Hands: The story of a bad dream and a man desperate to make up for past sins. Not exactly a horror story but it makes you think about whether people should be forgiven for their crimes.
Crooken Sands: This begins as a very funny story and then turns into a great little psychological tale. I was beginning to think the stories got worse as they went along but this one was one of the best of the book and a great way to end.
Overall it's a great collection of gothic horror stories. In some ways it's very much of it's time with women feeling less important (they mostly faint in these stories), though I found that odd considering Dracula portrays some quite strong female characters. If you want some gothic horror then you can't go far wrong with this collection.
October 31, 2023
“I gathered that long ago, hundreds of years, men had died there and been buried in their graves; and sounds were heard under the clay, and when the graves were opened, men and women were found rosy with life, and their mouths red with blood.”
This is the infamous deleted chapter from Dracula (1897) written by Bram Stoker. It was very intriguing and atmospheric much like the book. You got wolves, a storm, and tombs. Although it was fun to read and I nerded out a bit, I’m really glad it was deleted from the final version of the book! I can not imagine anywhere that it would have fit without interrupting the flow of the story or the pacing. However, I’m still glad it was released as I really appreciated the German touch and learning about Walpurgis Night.
I am not really sure where this chapter was planned to be inserted, but it almost seemed like an opening of some sort which makes me even more glad it was never used! The beginning of Dracula was my favorite part of the entire book. Its ability to drag you along unknowingly through use of paranoia and fear leaves you a prisoner to the rest of the book just like Jonathan became at Dracula’s castle.
My only complaint is: Dracula, where is my invitation?!
Worth a read if you are a fan of Dracula! I also discovered the tomb inscription in this short story is referenced in the book Dracul which I plan on reading next Spooky Season!! Until then…..
Don’t forget: “The dead travel fast.”
This is the infamous deleted chapter from Dracula (1897) written by Bram Stoker. It was very intriguing and atmospheric much like the book. You got wolves, a storm, and tombs. Although it was fun to read and I nerded out a bit, I’m really glad it was deleted from the final version of the book! I can not imagine anywhere that it would have fit without interrupting the flow of the story or the pacing. However, I’m still glad it was released as I really appreciated the German touch and learning about Walpurgis Night.
I am not really sure where this chapter was planned to be inserted, but it almost seemed like an opening of some sort which makes me even more glad it was never used! The beginning of Dracula was my favorite part of the entire book. Its ability to drag you along unknowingly through use of paranoia and fear leaves you a prisoner to the rest of the book just like Jonathan became at Dracula’s castle.
My only complaint is: Dracula, where is my invitation?!
Worth a read if you are a fan of Dracula! I also discovered the tomb inscription in this short story is referenced in the book Dracul which I plan on reading next Spooky Season!! Until then…..
Don’t forget: “The dead travel fast.”
April 30, 2025
I'm in a vampire mood. I'm in a Dracula mood. So this short story was giving me more of what I need.
Tense from the outset, our main character wonders into a deserted village after hearing a pretty terrified past about it... why would you do that!!! But, it was the Victorian period so I guess they haven't learned the bad decisions from horror films like I have.
This is only twenty pages, so of course you can't have too much. But, I though the tension was crafted brilliantly. Wolves are always awesome when done well, and they were here. I enjoyed the breadcrumb trail of mystery, and then the subversion at the end regarding Dracula. It really prompts a lot of questions about the context of the Dracula novel, which was awesome! It did not really establish anything separate, and I probably enjoyed this more because it is immediately off of the back from reading Dracula.
3/5 STARS
Tense from the outset, our main character wonders into a deserted village after hearing a pretty terrified past about it... why would you do that!!! But, it was the Victorian period so I guess they haven't learned the bad decisions from horror films like I have.
This is only twenty pages, so of course you can't have too much. But, I though the tension was crafted brilliantly. Wolves are always awesome when done well, and they were here. I enjoyed the breadcrumb trail of mystery, and then the subversion at the end regarding Dracula. It really prompts a lot of questions about the context of the Dracula novel, which was awesome! It did not really establish anything separate, and I probably enjoyed this more because it is immediately off of the back from reading Dracula.
3/5 STARS
December 9, 2020
Pomalo naivno. Poviše bizarno. Neodoljivo satirično. Odlično
September 28, 2023
Según las creencias, no hay que salir en la noche de Walpurgis porque el diablo anda suelto y los muertos salen de sus tumbas. En este relato, el protagonista(el cual no tiene nombre), sale en la noche de Walpurgis, una noche que amenaza tormenta desoyendo los consejos de su cochero, tras oirle contar una historia sobre un pueblo abandonado....
Esta novela parece ser que era el primer capítulo de Drácula, el cual eliminaron sus editores debido a la extensión de la novela.
Me ha gustado el relato, juega mucho con el suspense y la tensión pero le falta algo.... y se me ha quedado corta, creo que fué un error eliminarla de la novela a la que pertenece.
Esta novela parece ser que era el primer capítulo de Drácula, el cual eliminaron sus editores debido a la extensión de la novela.
Me ha gustado el relato, juega mucho con el suspense y la tensión pero le falta algo.... y se me ha quedado corta, creo que fué un error eliminarla de la novela a la que pertenece.
May 31, 2020
O livro “O Hóspede de Drácula" de Bram Stoker é uma obra composta por 3 contos que incidem sobre a temática terrorífica e exploram finais interessantes e entusiasmantes. A obra explora os contos "O Hóspede de Drácula" (história de Herr Delbriick que decidi não ouvir Johann e vai ao encontro de um caminho amaldiçoado e acaba por tornar-se hóspede de um Drácula), a "A casa do Juiz" (história de Malcolmson, um estudante que aloja-se na "casa do juiz", um homem mau que amaldiçoa a casa e leva o triste jovem ao seu triste fim, tal como ele) e a "Pele vermelha" (história de um casal que vai para Nuremberg e encontram um americano que comete um grande erro e assassina o filho de uma gata negra, que persegue-o até atingir o seu fim, de matar o homem que matou a sua cria).
Trata-se de uma obra muito interessante, recomendo!
Trata-se de uma obra muito interessante, recomendo!
December 26, 2021
Bram Stoker tiene la mala suerte (en mi caso) de ser leído después de Mary Shelley. me paso con Frankenstein-Drácula y me ha vuelto a pasar con esta colección de relatos cortos.
Han estado muy bien; entretenidos y bien escritos. Sigo queriendo leer más cosas del autor, espero que que en esa ocasión no se interponga Mary con su escritura brillante,...y poder disfrutar de Stoker como se merece.
Han estado muy bien; entretenidos y bien escritos. Sigo queriendo leer más cosas del autor, espero que que en esa ocasión no se interponga Mary con su escritura brillante,...y poder disfrutar de Stoker como se merece.
September 27, 2014
I thought this collection was just okay. I enjoyed the story The Judge's House the most. A good rat story is always fun.
I was a bit disappointed in this collection. I'm a big fan of Dracula and I guess I just expected more.
I was a bit disappointed in this collection. I'm a big fan of Dracula and I guess I just expected more.
May 11, 2022
Que soy fan incondicional de Drácula del autor que aquí voy a reseñar, Bram Stoker, no es una novedad.
Así que un buen día caminado por La Cuesta de Moyano, una calle de Madrid en la que hay un gran variedad de libros de segunda mano, me encontré con un ejemplar de esta pequeña gran maravilla y no dudé en adquirirla 👏🏻. En ella se contienen 3 relatos:
-El invitado de Drácula 🧛🏻♂️. Como curiosidad os cuento que fue escrito como primer capítulo de la novela Drácula pero que finalmente no se incluyó y fue su viuda la que lo rescató.
Aquí nos encontraremos con un viajero que decide salir de paseo la noche de Walpurgis obviando las advertencias de los empleados del Hotel donde se hospeda.
No os cuento más, pero el aura que se desprende mientras lo lees te envuelve de tal manera que quedas completamente embebido.
-El entierro de las Ratas 🐀. Madre mía qué “historión”. Un hombre decide adentrarse en los suburbios de París, donde pondrá a prueba su capacidad de supervivencia. Ritmo endiablado donde podrás impregnarte de la inmundicia y suciedad.
-La casa del Juez 👨⚖️. Un joven estudiante decide mudarse a una casona aislada para poder concentrarse y estudiar sin que nada ni nadie le moleste ¿será capaz? 🫣🫣
En fin, siempre me ha fascinado que alguien sea capaz de transmitir en pocas líneas y sin artificios unas historias tan bien llevadas y que no hay que olvidar que pertenecen al siglo XIX.
Así que un buen día caminado por La Cuesta de Moyano, una calle de Madrid en la que hay un gran variedad de libros de segunda mano, me encontré con un ejemplar de esta pequeña gran maravilla y no dudé en adquirirla 👏🏻. En ella se contienen 3 relatos:
-El invitado de Drácula 🧛🏻♂️. Como curiosidad os cuento que fue escrito como primer capítulo de la novela Drácula pero que finalmente no se incluyó y fue su viuda la que lo rescató.
Aquí nos encontraremos con un viajero que decide salir de paseo la noche de Walpurgis obviando las advertencias de los empleados del Hotel donde se hospeda.
No os cuento más, pero el aura que se desprende mientras lo lees te envuelve de tal manera que quedas completamente embebido.
-El entierro de las Ratas 🐀. Madre mía qué “historión”. Un hombre decide adentrarse en los suburbios de París, donde pondrá a prueba su capacidad de supervivencia. Ritmo endiablado donde podrás impregnarte de la inmundicia y suciedad.
-La casa del Juez 👨⚖️. Un joven estudiante decide mudarse a una casona aislada para poder concentrarse y estudiar sin que nada ni nadie le moleste ¿será capaz? 🫣🫣
En fin, siempre me ha fascinado que alguien sea capaz de transmitir en pocas líneas y sin artificios unas historias tan bien llevadas y que no hay que olvidar que pertenecen al siglo XIX.
January 17, 2021
"Drakulin gost" je zbirka priča Brema Stokera, autora kultnog romana Drakula, koju je 1914, dve godine posle Stokerove smrti, priredila i izdala njegova udovica Florens. U zbirci se nalazi osam segmenata - šest priča + dva odlomka iz Stokerovih romana. Idemo redom...
DRAKULIN GOST 4/5
Naslovna priča je, bar u teoriji, glavni mamac ove zbirke. Da li je u pitanju odbačeno poglavlje iz "Drakule" ili Stokerova vežba za pisanje njegovog najpoznatijeg dela - nije ni važno. Ovo je veoma efektna minijatura koja donosi nove elemente u Stokerov vampirski mitos. Lik grofice Dolingen je lepo nagovešten, mada ne i razrađen (nije bilo vremena!). Neki proučavaoci smatraju da se grofica pojavljuje i u "Drakuli" - data u liku plavokose vampirice koje zauzima povlašećeno mesto u grofovom zamku.
SUDIJINA KUĆA 4/5
Definitivno jedna od tri najbolje priča u zbirci. "Sudijina kuća" je veoma zanimljiva i atmoseferična, izuzetno mi se dopala karakterizacija sporedniih likova. Priča sjajno počne, ali posle Stoker pomalo izgubi fokus i bude ponavljanja. Uz to, što je i moja najveća zamerka, kraj je prilično očekivan. No, svakako je ovo jedna veoma dobra priča o duhovima.
TAJNA ZLATA KOJE RASTE 2.5/5
Ovo je mogla da bude odlična priča, ali je nešto krenulo po zlu. Stoker kao da ju je napisao na brzinu i nije joj se više vraćao - što je, kako to već obično biva, ostavilo danak. Lik zlatkokose osvetnice Margarete Dalandre ima odličan potecijal, mada nije dovoljno razrađen kako bi se postigao pun efekat. Vidan je uticaj Poa, a posebno priče "Izdajnjičko srce" (mada i drugih).
POVRATAK EJBELA BEHENE 3/5
Stoker u ovoj priči veoma deteljno opisuje krajolik u koji je smetio radnju svog ljubavnog trougla. Sara ne može da se odluči da li da se uda za tamnokosog Ejbela ili svetlokosog Erika, pa prijatelji bacaju novčić za devojku. Ali, komplikacije slede... Priči nedostaje sadržaja, mada je sam kraj prilično efektan, iako u okviru očekivanog.
SKVO 2/5
Još jedna Stokerova priča nadahnuta Poom - ovoga puta o upornoj crnoj mački koja se, po svaku cenu, mamerila da osveti smrt mačeta koje je skirvio nesmotreni američki pustolov. Banalna priča, uz par jeftinih šokova. Funkcionalna do izvesne mere, mada daleko od esencijalne. Nije mi prijala, nedostaje joj finese.
PACOVSKA SAHRANA 5/5
Ubedljivo najbolja Stokerova priča koju sam pročitao. Veoma napeta i efektna, potentno dvosmislena. Šteta što mu i ostale priče u zbirci "Drakulin gost" nisu na tom nivou. Radnja se dešava na ogromnom pariskom đubrištu gde se jedan otmeni engleski gospodin nađe na meti odrpanih francuskih beskućnika. Ili se francuski beskućnici nađu na meti engleskog gospodina? A tu su i pacovi. Veliki i gladni, pacovi kojima je svejedno ko će da pobedi. Jer - ko god da pobedi - njima je obrok obezbeđen!
STARI HOGEN: MISTERIJA 2/5
Nije mi se dopao ovaj pokušaj spoja makabrizma i humora, prilično je neukusan. Uz to, priča je definitvno preopširna, pa mi, sve u svemu, ne bi smetalo da je ostala izgubljena.
DOLINA ČAROBNICE 4/5
Odlomci iz romana "Dragulj sedam zvezda". Pljačkaši grobnica i mumija egipatske kraljice Tere su mi probudili zanimanje za ono što se dogodilo dalje - ali mislim da ipak neću potražiti roman (koje, uostalom, nije ni prevedeno na srpski). Zainteresvao sam se za priču čitajući odlomke, ali u pogovor piše da je ovo Stokerovo delo slabo - mnogo slabije od "Drakule" - te da su odabrani odlomci ono najbolje što u njemu može da se pronađe.
POGOVOR DR DEJANA OGNJANOVIĆA - BREM STOKER: U SENCI DRAKULE 5/5
Pronicljiv i sveobuhvatan pogovor koji bi, zapravo, možda bilo bolje pročitati PRE pristupanja pričama. Bez pogovor, zbirka bi zaslužila trojku (priče su previše neujednačene po kvalitetu, pisac nije stigao da ih doradi, smrt ga je omela), ali sa njim mogu da mirne duše ovo izdanje ocenim kao - vrlo dobro.
DRAKULIN GOST 4/5
Naslovna priča je, bar u teoriji, glavni mamac ove zbirke. Da li je u pitanju odbačeno poglavlje iz "Drakule" ili Stokerova vežba za pisanje njegovog najpoznatijeg dela - nije ni važno. Ovo je veoma efektna minijatura koja donosi nove elemente u Stokerov vampirski mitos. Lik grofice Dolingen je lepo nagovešten, mada ne i razrađen (nije bilo vremena!). Neki proučavaoci smatraju da se grofica pojavljuje i u "Drakuli" - data u liku plavokose vampirice koje zauzima povlašećeno mesto u grofovom zamku.
SUDIJINA KUĆA 4/5
Definitivno jedna od tri najbolje priča u zbirci. "Sudijina kuća" je veoma zanimljiva i atmoseferična, izuzetno mi se dopala karakterizacija sporedniih likova. Priča sjajno počne, ali posle Stoker pomalo izgubi fokus i bude ponavljanja. Uz to, što je i moja najveća zamerka, kraj je prilično očekivan. No, svakako je ovo jedna veoma dobra priča o duhovima.
TAJNA ZLATA KOJE RASTE 2.5/5
Ovo je mogla da bude odlična priča, ali je nešto krenulo po zlu. Stoker kao da ju je napisao na brzinu i nije joj se više vraćao - što je, kako to već obično biva, ostavilo danak. Lik zlatkokose osvetnice Margarete Dalandre ima odličan potecijal, mada nije dovoljno razrađen kako bi se postigao pun efekat. Vidan je uticaj Poa, a posebno priče "Izdajnjičko srce" (mada i drugih).
POVRATAK EJBELA BEHENE 3/5
Stoker u ovoj priči veoma deteljno opisuje krajolik u koji je smetio radnju svog ljubavnog trougla. Sara ne može da se odluči da li da se uda za tamnokosog Ejbela ili svetlokosog Erika, pa prijatelji bacaju novčić za devojku. Ali, komplikacije slede... Priči nedostaje sadržaja, mada je sam kraj prilično efektan, iako u okviru očekivanog.
SKVO 2/5
Još jedna Stokerova priča nadahnuta Poom - ovoga puta o upornoj crnoj mački koja se, po svaku cenu, mamerila da osveti smrt mačeta koje je skirvio nesmotreni američki pustolov. Banalna priča, uz par jeftinih šokova. Funkcionalna do izvesne mere, mada daleko od esencijalne. Nije mi prijala, nedostaje joj finese.
PACOVSKA SAHRANA 5/5
Ubedljivo najbolja Stokerova priča koju sam pročitao. Veoma napeta i efektna, potentno dvosmislena. Šteta što mu i ostale priče u zbirci "Drakulin gost" nisu na tom nivou. Radnja se dešava na ogromnom pariskom đubrištu gde se jedan otmeni engleski gospodin nađe na meti odrpanih francuskih beskućnika. Ili se francuski beskućnici nađu na meti engleskog gospodina? A tu su i pacovi. Veliki i gladni, pacovi kojima je svejedno ko će da pobedi. Jer - ko god da pobedi - njima je obrok obezbeđen!
STARI HOGEN: MISTERIJA 2/5
Nije mi se dopao ovaj pokušaj spoja makabrizma i humora, prilično je neukusan. Uz to, priča je definitvno preopširna, pa mi, sve u svemu, ne bi smetalo da je ostala izgubljena.
DOLINA ČAROBNICE 4/5
Odlomci iz romana "Dragulj sedam zvezda". Pljačkaši grobnica i mumija egipatske kraljice Tere su mi probudili zanimanje za ono što se dogodilo dalje - ali mislim da ipak neću potražiti roman (koje, uostalom, nije ni prevedeno na srpski). Zainteresvao sam se za priču čitajući odlomke, ali u pogovor piše da je ovo Stokerovo delo slabo - mnogo slabije od "Drakule" - te da su odabrani odlomci ono najbolje što u njemu može da se pronađe.
POGOVOR DR DEJANA OGNJANOVIĆA - BREM STOKER: U SENCI DRAKULE 5/5
Pronicljiv i sveobuhvatan pogovor koji bi, zapravo, možda bilo bolje pročitati PRE pristupanja pričama. Bez pogovor, zbirka bi zaslužila trojku (priče su previše neujednačene po kvalitetu, pisac nije stigao da ih doradi, smrt ga je omela), ali sa njim mogu da mirne duše ovo izdanje ocenim kao - vrlo dobro.
May 23, 2025
2020: Un hermoso relato gótico que es precuela de uno de los mejores libros de todos los tiempos.
Si bien no es imprescindible para leer Drácula, considero que es imperdible.
Unas pocas páginas de prosa se Bram Stoker bastan para deleitarse.
2025: Relectura.
«Los muertos viajan deprisa»
Es increíble la importancia de releer nuestras obras favoritas para disfrutarlas mucho más. En estos cinco años que transcurrieron de mi primera lectura de este relato, he adquirido nuevos conocimientos y también estoy más familiarizada con su contexto narrativo (incluso he podido leer el Fausto de Goethe en donde hay una escena muy esclarecedora que puede ayudar a situarnos en este cuento).
Esto ha logrado que pueda apreciar detalles que no atisbé en la primera lectura, la cual si bien disfruté enormemente, no se compara con esta segunda vez, donde pude extraerle doblemente el jugo -o la sangre-.
La prosa de Stoker es absolutamente deliciosa. No cabe dudas de que ha envejecido como el buen vino. Estoy convencida que disfrutar de esta narración gótica en una tardecita otoñal, con una bebida (caliente o no) de vuestra preferencia, es, a fe mía, uno de los mayores recordatorios de porqué amamos el acto de leer nada más que por entero placer.
«La noche de Walpurgis en la que, según las creencias de millones de personas, el diablo andaba suelto; en la que se abrían las tumbas y los muertos salían a pasear, en la que todas las cosas maléficas de la tierra, el mar y el aire celebraban su reunión»
Si bien no es imprescindible para leer Drácula, considero que es imperdible.
Unas pocas páginas de prosa se Bram Stoker bastan para deleitarse.
2025: Relectura.
«Los muertos viajan deprisa»
Es increíble la importancia de releer nuestras obras favoritas para disfrutarlas mucho más. En estos cinco años que transcurrieron de mi primera lectura de este relato, he adquirido nuevos conocimientos y también estoy más familiarizada con su contexto narrativo (incluso he podido leer el Fausto de Goethe en donde hay una escena muy esclarecedora que puede ayudar a situarnos en este cuento).
Esto ha logrado que pueda apreciar detalles que no atisbé en la primera lectura, la cual si bien disfruté enormemente, no se compara con esta segunda vez, donde pude extraerle doblemente el jugo -o la sangre-.
La prosa de Stoker es absolutamente deliciosa. No cabe dudas de que ha envejecido como el buen vino. Estoy convencida que disfrutar de esta narración gótica en una tardecita otoñal, con una bebida (caliente o no) de vuestra preferencia, es, a fe mía, uno de los mayores recordatorios de porqué amamos el acto de leer nada más que por entero placer.
«La noche de Walpurgis en la que, según las creencias de millones de personas, el diablo andaba suelto; en la que se abrían las tumbas y los muertos salían a pasear, en la que todas las cosas maléficas de la tierra, el mar y el aire celebraban su reunión»
June 21, 2022
اقااااا
این اصلا ترسناک نبووووود ، بجز ۲ تای اولی هرچی میرفت جلو تر بجای ترسناک خندار میشد
چرااااا😭
سومی هم که انگار یه سکانس از فیلم مقصد نهایی بود😒
دوسش نداشتم😒
پ.ن: ۸ تا داستان کوتاهه
این اصلا ترسناک نبووووود ، بجز ۲ تای اولی هرچی میرفت جلو تر بجای ترسناک خندار میشد
چرااااا😭
سومی هم که انگار یه سکانس از فیلم مقصد نهایی بود😒
دوسش نداشتم😒
پ.ن: ۸ تا داستان کوتاهه
April 12, 2017
«Los muertos viajan deprisa»
Éste es el capítulo con el que originalmente iniciaba 'Drácula', y que algún genio de la edición decidió sacar para que el libro no fuera tan largo.
Narra una aventura previa que tuvo Jonathan cuando todavía estaba en Munich. Es breve pero no por eso menos oscuro (el cementerio de suicidas es especialmente tétrico), y para mi gusto funciona bárbaro como introducción para una gran novela.
Leerlo antes del libro principal es una buena idea, porque además de que era la idea original del autor, ya empieza a sentar las bases del horror y la intriga que rodean al Conde Drácula, y a destrozar la confiada practicidad inglesa de Jonathan.
Éste es el capítulo con el que originalmente iniciaba 'Drácula', y que algún genio de la edición decidió sacar para que el libro no fuera tan largo.
Narra una aventura previa que tuvo Jonathan cuando todavía estaba en Munich. Es breve pero no por eso menos oscuro (el cementerio de suicidas es especialmente tétrico), y para mi gusto funciona bárbaro como introducción para una gran novela.
Leerlo antes del libro principal es una buena idea, porque además de que era la idea original del autor, ya empieza a sentar las bases del horror y la intriga que rodean al Conde Drácula, y a destrozar la confiada practicidad inglesa de Jonathan.
January 17, 2019
Set in Munich an English traveller has a very eerie experience on an old cemetery of an abandoned village. It is Walpurgis Night. The inscription on the headstone mentioning a female countess leads to Dacre Stoker's Dracul. Can a group of soldiers rescue the hero of this story? Why is the story titled Dracula's Guest? Well written, spooky and quick to read for every Dracula and Dracul fan. Dracula is looming over the pages of this story. Recommended!
March 14, 2019
Complementa a la perfección Drácula y Drácula. El origen. Así q tenéis q leerlo los q hayáis leído los anteriores. Me parece genial como han complementado y conformado un todo entre los libros antiguos y el actual.
April 26, 2017
Munich, es Walpurgis Nacht, un turista sale a dar una vuelta con un cochero y decide explorar por su cuenta pese a las advertencias de mal tiempo y otras cosas.
Supe de esta historia corta por Lau, y aunque no menciona nombres sino a un 'viajero inglés' y el hecho de provenir de la historia original "Drácula" -el primer capítulo cortado por un editor-, esto nos lleva a pensar en su protagonista: Harker.
Por otra parte, es como una historia aleccionaria contra turistas aventureros ... o un precursor de "Hostal" ;P Es el tipo porfiado que 'knows best' y va derechito donde nadie lo invitó.
Aunque resulta extrañamente singular que esto de 'Turismo de Cementerios' ya haya existido desde entonces bwajaja. (y en esta parte niego , absolutamente, que me hayan arrastrado en la noche a ver un cementerio a +3000 mts de altura mientras el cielo estaba lleno de estrellas fugaces, No,eso lo niego)
Me costó bastante meterme en la trama, por eso no puedo darle en este momento más estrellas, incluso busque la edicion en inglés y resulta que no, que la traducción en este caso es bastante fiel, asi que no pierde , y , por tanto, sigue siendo , sin lograr establecer la razón, algo seca.
¿Precursor? o ¿idea primaria? el desenlace deja bastantes cosas clásicas de terror en el aire . Se puede ver que contiene el germen de muchas historias que le copiaran.
Supe de esta historia corta por Lau, y aunque no menciona nombres sino a un 'viajero inglés' y el hecho de provenir de la historia original "Drácula" -el primer capítulo cortado por un editor-, esto nos lleva a pensar en su protagonista: Harker.
Por otra parte, es como una historia aleccionaria contra turistas aventureros ... o un precursor de "Hostal" ;P Es el tipo porfiado que 'knows best' y va derechito donde nadie lo invitó.
«Es inglés, y por consiguiente aventurero. A menudo hay peligro con la nieve y los lobos y la noche.»
Aunque resulta extrañamente singular que esto de 'Turismo de Cementerios' ya haya existido desde entonces bwajaja. (y en esta parte niego , absolutamente, que me hayan arrastrado en la noche a ver un cementerio a +3000 mts de altura mientras el cielo estaba lleno de estrellas fugaces, No,eso lo niego)
Me costó bastante meterme en la trama, por eso no puedo darle en este momento más estrellas, incluso busque la edicion en inglés y resulta que no, que la traducción en este caso es bastante fiel, asi que no pierde , y , por tanto, sigue siendo , sin lograr establecer la razón, algo seca.
¿Precursor? o ¿idea primaria? el desenlace deja bastantes cosas clásicas de terror en el aire . Se puede ver que contiene el germen de muchas historias que le copiaran.
April 3, 2021
Relato corto que sirve de antesala al tan conocido libro de Drácula, si bien algunos aseguran que este era en realidad el primer capítulo de la obra pero que fue desechado por el editor, pero quien puede asegurarlo... no se menciona la identidad del protagonista pero hemos de suponer que se trata de Jonathan Harker antes de su visita al conde y la historia en sí se reviste del mismo estilo característico lúgubre gótico.
February 24, 2024
কথিত আছে সম্পাদক মশাই ড্রাকুলার এই অংশটি বাদ দিয়ে দিয়েছিলেন। তবুও এই বাদ পড়া অংশটুকু পড়েই আমার মধ্যে ভয়ের যে একটা শিহরণ খেলে গেল এইটাতেই স্পষ্ট ড্রাকুলা আমার কাছে কোন লেভেলের সাহিত্য। আফসোস হয়। লেখক মশাই নিজ হস্তে ড্রাকুলার আরও গোটা দুয়েক সিকুয়েল লিখে গেল না কেন?
August 12, 2019
Stories best read by faint, flickering candlelight
Review of free Kindle edition
A Public Domain Book
ASIN B0084BO094
210 pages
An engaging collection of nine short stories by Bram Stoker of DRACULA fame. Some are better than others but I enjoyed all of them. Even the ones featuring foolish protagonists.
Dracula's Guest was originally a part of Stoker's novel, DRACULA. His publisher removed it to shorten the lengthy novel. Some two years after Stoker's death it was published as a short story. The novel does not suffer because of the removal of this section and it makes a very good stand alone short story.. It also gives readers something to try as a sample without having to start reading the novel. Dracula may appear in this story in some manifestation but not as the Count. The setting is Germany before the guest, presumably Jonathan Harker, travels on to Dracula's castle. The story is suspenseful with an increasing sense of foreboding. Sightseeing in haunted graveyards on St. Walpurga Eve aka Walpurgis Night is not a recommended pursuit for the arrogantly unwary and unprepared.
The Judge's House is considered by many to be Bram Stoker's greatest short story and one of Britain's finest ghost stories. It was first published in the December 5, 1891, special Christmas issue of the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News weekly magazine. In 1914, it was published in the collection, Dracula's Guest and Other Weird Stories. It has since appeared in many anthologies.
The Squaw builds to what is an obviously inevitable conclusion. But the inevitability does not lessen the horror or the impulse of the reader to grab and shake the victim while shouting don't be such an idiot.
The Secret of the Growing Gold will remind many of Edgar Allan Poe's, The Tell-Tale Heart, despite the many differences in the plot.
Of the remaining five stories, The Burial of the Rats has been made into a movie which bears little resemblance to the story. As I recall the movie had a lot of pretty ladies but the story is superior even though it is obvious that the narrator of the story survived his experience. His gruesome situation, danger and flight is still riveting. It is, however, another story in which I continuously asked, "How can you be so foolish?"
If you like horror fiction, these stories are worth reading.
Review of free Kindle edition
A Public Domain Book
ASIN B0084BO094
210 pages
An engaging collection of nine short stories by Bram Stoker of DRACULA fame. Some are better than others but I enjoyed all of them. Even the ones featuring foolish protagonists.
Dracula's Guest was originally a part of Stoker's novel, DRACULA. His publisher removed it to shorten the lengthy novel. Some two years after Stoker's death it was published as a short story. The novel does not suffer because of the removal of this section and it makes a very good stand alone short story.. It also gives readers something to try as a sample without having to start reading the novel. Dracula may appear in this story in some manifestation but not as the Count. The setting is Germany before the guest, presumably Jonathan Harker, travels on to Dracula's castle. The story is suspenseful with an increasing sense of foreboding. Sightseeing in haunted graveyards on St. Walpurga Eve aka Walpurgis Night is not a recommended pursuit for the arrogantly unwary and unprepared.
The Judge's House is considered by many to be Bram Stoker's greatest short story and one of Britain's finest ghost stories. It was first published in the December 5, 1891, special Christmas issue of the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News weekly magazine. In 1914, it was published in the collection, Dracula's Guest and Other Weird Stories. It has since appeared in many anthologies.
The Squaw builds to what is an obviously inevitable conclusion. But the inevitability does not lessen the horror or the impulse of the reader to grab and shake the victim while shouting don't be such an idiot.
The Secret of the Growing Gold will remind many of Edgar Allan Poe's, The Tell-Tale Heart, despite the many differences in the plot.
Of the remaining five stories, The Burial of the Rats has been made into a movie which bears little resemblance to the story. As I recall the movie had a lot of pretty ladies but the story is superior even though it is obvious that the narrator of the story survived his experience. His gruesome situation, danger and flight is still riveting. It is, however, another story in which I continuously asked, "How can you be so foolish?"
If you like horror fiction, these stories are worth reading.
February 28, 2024
এই সংকলনের দুই মলাটের মধ্যে পাবেন ৮ টা ছোটগল্প এবং একটি উপন্যাসিকা। তার মধ্যে 'Dracula's Guest' এর নামগল্প। এই নামগল্পটি ড্রাকুলা উপন্যাসের মধ্যে অন্তর্ভুক্ত না করার সাপক্ষে বিশেষজ্ঞদের মধ্যে কিন্তু নানান মত প্রচলিত আছে। চলুন একটু জেনে নিই। কেউ কেউ বলেন মূল উপন্যাসটিকে চারশো পাতার মধ্যে শেষ করার একটা চাপ লেখকের উপর প্রকাশনা সংস্থার তরফ থেকে ছিল। লেখক তা না করলে বইটির ছাপার মূল্য বৃদ্ধি পেত। ফলে স্টোকার এই কাহিনিটিকে উপন্যাসের অন্তর্ভুক্ত করতে পারেননি। কেউ কেউ বলেন 'ড্রাকুলা'স গেস্ট' কাহিনির পটভূমি ছিল অস্ট্রিয়া, ট্রানসিলভ্যানিয়া নয়। উপন্যাসের পটভূমির সাথে মেলাতে না পেরে তিনি এই কাহিনিটিকে মূল উপন্যাসে সংযুক্ত করেননি। আবার কারও কারও মতে, লেখক কাহিনিটিকে স্বতন্ত্রভাবেই লিখেছিলেন। কিন্তু পরবর্তী সময়ে এই লেখাটির কথা তিনি বিস্মৃত হন। ফলে লেখাটা তাঁর জীবিতকালে কোনও দিন আলোর মুখ দেখেনি। ১৯১৪ সালে এই কাহিনিটি এবং পূর্বপ্রকাশিত ৮টি গল্প নিয়ে 'ড্রাকুলা'জ গেস্ট অ্যান্ড আদার উইয়ার্ড টেলস' নামে এই গল্পগ্রন্থটি বের হয়। যার মুখবন্ধ লেখেন ব্রাম স্টোকারের স্ত্রী ফ্লোরেন্স। বাকি ৭ টি গল্প ও উপনাসিকার নাম -
সবগুলো গল্পই আপনার ভালো লাগবে। ব্রাম স্টোকার যে কত বিচিত্র ধরনের লেখা লিখতেন তার জলজ্যান্ত উদাহরণ এই সংকলনটি।
The Judge's House
The Squaw
The Secret of the Growing Gold
A Gipsy Prophecy
The Coming of Abel Behenna
The Burial of the Rats
A Dream of Red Hands
Crooken Sands
The Lair of the White Worm (Novela)
সবগুলো গল্পই আপনার ভালো লাগবে। ব্রাম স্টোকার যে কত বিচিত্র ধরনের লেখা লিখতেন তার জলজ্যান্ত উদাহরণ এই সংকলনটি।
November 1, 2021
I wanted to read my Halloween stories before or near that day but it really does not matter when one reads a "horror" story. Several years ago I decided to read yearly a horror tale during this time of year. I have read many versions of Dracula like by many different authors and will continue to do so in the future. Bram Stroker's Dracula was my first and seeing this short story, I wanted to read this too. This is an extremely short story which I did not read this version but from "The Greatest Ghost and Horror", see "horror" shelf if interested in my highlights.
Before I go onto my review, my Delphi Complete Works of Bram Stroker had this interesting introduction into "Dracula's Guest" which I will share.
"This collection of short stories was first published in 1914, two years after Stoker’s death. Now, it is widely believed that Dracula’s Guest is actually the deleted first chapter from the original Dracula manuscript, which the publisher deemed superfluous to the story, although some scholars disagree with this belief. In the preface of the collection, Stoker’s wife Florence explains, “To his original list of stories in this book, I have added an hitherto unpublished episode from Dracula. It was originally excised owing to the length of the book, and may prove of interest to the many readers of what is considered my husband’s most remarkable work.”
One does not need to read "Dracula" to understand and enjoy this story but it gives you a taste of it. An Englishman visiting Germany wanders by himself onto a burial ground on the night of Walpurgis. Strange and scary things happen which are intensified by Bram Stroker's descriptions.
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌
This short story is about an Englishman visiting Germany and wanting to travel on Walpurgis Night. His driver tells a story about dead people come alive and after the Englishman sees a road not much traveled and wants to explore but the driver refuses because of his fears. The Englishman goes on foot and is alone except the weather turns cold and he sees and hears things that he wish he had listened to the driver. He is soon semi paralysed with a wolf on top of him but when the rescue men come and the Englishman saved but limited. We soon find out that Dracula's note tells the need to rescue his guest before they knew him to be in trouble.
"Every now and then the horses seemed to throw up their heads and sniffed the air suspiciously. On such occasions I often looked round in alarm. The road was pretty bleak, for we were traversing a sort of high, wind- swept plateau. As we drove, I saw a road that looked but little used, and which seemed to dip through a little, winding valley. It looked so inviting that, even at the risk of offending him, I called Johann to stop — and when he had pulled up, I told him I would like to drive down that road. He made all sorts of excuses, and frequently crossed himself as he spoke."
"I tried to argue with him, but it was difficult to argue with a man when I did not know his language. The advantage certainly rested with him, for although he began to speak in English, of a very crude and broken kind, he always got excited and broke into his native tongue — and every time he did so, he looked at his watch."
"Whereupon he burst out into a long story in German and English, so mixed up that I could not quite understand exactly what he said, but roughly I gathered that long ago, hundreds of years, men had died there and been buried in their graves; and sounds were heard under the clay, and when the graves were opened, men and women
were found rosy with life, and their mouths red with blood. And so, in haste to save their lives (aye, and their souls! — and here he crossed himself) those who were left fled away to other places, where the living lived, and the dead were dead and not — not something."
‘Go home, Johann — Walpurgis-nacht doesn’t concern Englishmen.’
"There was something so weird and uncanny about the whole thing that it gave me a turn and made me feel quite faint. I began to wish, for the first time, that I had taken Johann’s advice. Here a thought struck me, which came under almost mysterious circumstances and with a terrible shock."
"It took all my philosophy, all the religion I had been taught, all my courage, not to collapse in a paroxysm of fright."
"Bistritz. Be careful of my guest — his safety is most precious to me. Should aught happen to him, or if he be missed, spare nothing to find him and ensure his safety. He is English and therefore adventurous. There are often dangers from snow and wolves and night. Lose not a moment if you suspect harm to him. I answer your zeal with my fortune. — Dracula."
"There was something so strange in all this, something so weird and impossible to imagine, that there grew on me a sense of my being in some way the sport of opposite forces — the mere vague idea of which seemed in a way to paralyze me. I was certainly under some form of mysterious protection. From a distant country had come, in the very nick of time, a message that took me out of the danger of the snow-sleep and the jaws of the wolf."
Before I go onto my review, my Delphi Complete Works of Bram Stroker had this interesting introduction into "Dracula's Guest" which I will share.
"This collection of short stories was first published in 1914, two years after Stoker’s death. Now, it is widely believed that Dracula’s Guest is actually the deleted first chapter from the original Dracula manuscript, which the publisher deemed superfluous to the story, although some scholars disagree with this belief. In the preface of the collection, Stoker’s wife Florence explains, “To his original list of stories in this book, I have added an hitherto unpublished episode from Dracula. It was originally excised owing to the length of the book, and may prove of interest to the many readers of what is considered my husband’s most remarkable work.”
One does not need to read "Dracula" to understand and enjoy this story but it gives you a taste of it. An Englishman visiting Germany wanders by himself onto a burial ground on the night of Walpurgis. Strange and scary things happen which are intensified by Bram Stroker's descriptions.
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This short story is about an Englishman visiting Germany and wanting to travel on Walpurgis Night. His driver tells a story about dead people come alive and after the Englishman sees a road not much traveled and wants to explore but the driver refuses because of his fears. The Englishman goes on foot and is alone except the weather turns cold and he sees and hears things that he wish he had listened to the driver. He is soon semi paralysed with a wolf on top of him but when the rescue men come and the Englishman saved but limited. We soon find out that Dracula's note tells the need to rescue his guest before they knew him to be in trouble.
"Every now and then the horses seemed to throw up their heads and sniffed the air suspiciously. On such occasions I often looked round in alarm. The road was pretty bleak, for we were traversing a sort of high, wind- swept plateau. As we drove, I saw a road that looked but little used, and which seemed to dip through a little, winding valley. It looked so inviting that, even at the risk of offending him, I called Johann to stop — and when he had pulled up, I told him I would like to drive down that road. He made all sorts of excuses, and frequently crossed himself as he spoke."
"I tried to argue with him, but it was difficult to argue with a man when I did not know his language. The advantage certainly rested with him, for although he began to speak in English, of a very crude and broken kind, he always got excited and broke into his native tongue — and every time he did so, he looked at his watch."
"Whereupon he burst out into a long story in German and English, so mixed up that I could not quite understand exactly what he said, but roughly I gathered that long ago, hundreds of years, men had died there and been buried in their graves; and sounds were heard under the clay, and when the graves were opened, men and women
were found rosy with life, and their mouths red with blood. And so, in haste to save their lives (aye, and their souls! — and here he crossed himself) those who were left fled away to other places, where the living lived, and the dead were dead and not — not something."
‘Go home, Johann — Walpurgis-nacht doesn’t concern Englishmen.’
"There was something so weird and uncanny about the whole thing that it gave me a turn and made me feel quite faint. I began to wish, for the first time, that I had taken Johann’s advice. Here a thought struck me, which came under almost mysterious circumstances and with a terrible shock."
"It took all my philosophy, all the religion I had been taught, all my courage, not to collapse in a paroxysm of fright."
"Bistritz. Be careful of my guest — his safety is most precious to me. Should aught happen to him, or if he be missed, spare nothing to find him and ensure his safety. He is English and therefore adventurous. There are often dangers from snow and wolves and night. Lose not a moment if you suspect harm to him. I answer your zeal with my fortune. — Dracula."
"There was something so strange in all this, something so weird and impossible to imagine, that there grew on me a sense of my being in some way the sport of opposite forces — the mere vague idea of which seemed in a way to paralyze me. I was certainly under some form of mysterious protection. From a distant country had come, in the very nick of time, a message that took me out of the danger of the snow-sleep and the jaws of the wolf."
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