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From where, when, and why does a story emerge? This short essay is a glimpse into some answers to those questions in reference to Bram Stoker on the 100th Anniversary of his novel, Dracula.
Delaney begins by examining the language sources of the word "vampire" and then what it meant to writers and average people in different time periods as well as different countries and cities throughout the world, a fascinating purview that belies the simplistic associations most average readers ascribe to the focus of this topic that has fascinated readers for centuries!
We then get a glimpse into the "place" where the famous story occurred, a debunking of the Transylvania myth for sure and a revealing analysis as well. The reader is then introduced to various other ideas, such as the fact that Lord Byron had nothing to do with this story as so many believe but a friend of his.
This and other ideas lead us to the author himself, a simple man who was actually rather dull in his job and appearance, far from the type of person we might envisage creating this fearful and haunting tale that has sparked other stories, novels, movies, etc. than any other story in literary history. Yet he was the friend of literary giants who admired his talent. Who knew how famous Bram Stoker would become and why?
While this might be a different stretch for readers familiar with Frank Delaney's bard-like fictional creations, it is still a worthy read for both the average lover of fiction, horror stories, science fiction, vampire lit, etc. - and for those who create fiction of any kind. Everything, I repeat, everything, one realizes when one finishes Undead, is grist for the mill of great fiction!
Fascinating topic and treatment, Frank Delaney!
