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leer-reading-lire · 5 months

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Last read:

Title: Dracula

Author: Bram Stoker

Illustrator: Edward Gorey

Number of Pages: 427

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First published: 1897

Read: 3 May – 27 November 2023

Thoughts:

I finally got around to re-read this novel! And I couldn’t have done it without Dracula daily and everyone in Tumblr commenting the story and sharing their art.

I loved the experience of reading along with so many people and their posts about it always gave me food for thought. It truly made my reflections about the book richer.

The first time I read this epistolary novel I was fifteen years old and since then I had forgotten many important plot points, as well as some characters. However, I remembered that I had loved the story, and I was fascinated by Mina Murray and Jonathan Harker. Mina was my favorite character and, back then, my favorite suitor was John Seward, followed by Quincey Morris.

I definitely appreciated reading the letters and diaries’ entries in chronological order. I think it may be the better option for a first-time reader.

This time around I felt Jonathan’s terror, hopelessness, and desperation. I was genuinely moved by his trials and tribulations when he was held prisoner at Dracula’s castle.

I loved the voyage of the Demeter because I could feel the anxiety and fear of the sailors. The whole journey was nerve-wrecking.

A character that took me by surprised and completely won me over was Lucy Westenra. I’m angry in her behalf for all the horrible adaptations that portray her under misogynistic lights. A particularly terrifying scene for me was Mrs. Westenra’s death. And when Lucy died was heartbreaking.

The part with the Bloofer Lady was intriguing. Here I have to say that while I had overlooked Arthur Holmwood in my first reading years ago, this time I got to appreciate his character and I could clearly see why Lucy had chosen him. He was so kind and loved her very much. They were so in love and eager to start their live together, it was all so tragic.

Likewise, I’m in awe for John Quincey, Arthur Holmwood and Quincey Morris’ friendship. The affection that the three friends had for each other is hard to miss. I was astonished by Stoker; all his depictions of masculinity are something else. Specially, in Jonathan’s case.

Abraham van Helsing annoyed me and frustrated me for most of the time that he was on the page. I think I only warmed up to him in the final part when he and Mina traveled to Dracula’s castle.

Mina was extraordinary! I loved that she liked to ask about ghost stories, and she was so smart, organized and kind. I’m particularly keen on her hyperfixation with train schedules.

The whole scene when Dracula attacked Mina was appalling, truly nightmarish and gruesome. I can’t for the life of me figure out why there are so many adaptations and (fan)fiction where they’re presented as a romantic couple! In my opinion, romanticize abuse is nauseating.

In general, I think pop culture has failed both Lucy and Mina and they certainly deserve better.

The last section where the whole gang finally comes together; they miraculously stop keeping information from Mina (as they obviously should have done from the beginning); and they work together to defeat Dracula is very exciting!

The ending was gratifying in many ways, although of course it was ultimately bittersweet.

This is a fantastic book, extraordinarily well written and full of adventure, fright, suspense, anticipation, mystery, and action. It’s without a doubt one of my favorite novels ever.

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throwawaydracula · 2 years

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A funny thing about Lucy Westenra is that the idea of her 'asking for it' vis-à-vis vampirism is so heavily ingrained into popular culture that even some of her defenders come to her defense specifically by saying 'well, it's not her fault Stoker was a sexually repressed slut-shaming Victorian'. Now, I am not going to deny at all that Stoker was a sexually repressed slut-shaming Victorian. Whatever was in his heart, that's more-or-less how he comported himself publicly, because that was the social norm. "You have shaken off the shackles and your wings are free. I have the shackles on my shoulders still — but I have no wings" is going to haunt me forever, but what we feel inside doesn't matter more than what we actually say and do publicly.

What I am going to argue against is the idea that Stoker thought Lucy was deserving of some kind of punishment, that the count's attacks were a moral consequence. I am going to argue that it's far more likely he thought of her as a kind of Anti-Dracula, an embodiment of delicate goodness standing against a rapacious evil, and tragically falling before it.

Thematically, it's easy enough to call her a foil to Dracula if we assume that the three vampire women were Dracula's brides. Presumably, they all suffered the same way Lucy did-- he took their blood slowly and agonizingly, and in doing so laid a claim on them. But this claim created no bond. Mocking of Dracula as they are, it's clear that any love between them has long since guttered out, even if he insists he did love them once. Was it ever real love in the first place, or was it only desire, the selfish wanting of another person, appetite misconstrued as affection?

In contrast, Lucy has her three suitors-- men she all loves, would all marry if she could. And all of them love her; Quincey might have said it was all in the past, but love isn't something you can turn off like a switch just by willing it away. Lucy didn't ask for any of their blood-- they all gave it willingly, out of love. I know it's easy to read the transfusions as a metaphor for sex, but I think love works a little better, here. Consider that Stoker was a Christian, and the far-reaching symbolism of the blood of Christ as infused with love, as something that can bring salvation. Even before he knew of the transfusion, Arthur was willing to give every drop of his blood to save Lucy.

Dracula has to take blood by force, and in doing so brings death and misery. Lucy's taking blood from her suitors by their own volition (indeed completely by their own volition, as she was too weak to ask) all brought them a measure of comfort-- this was something they could do for her to help her, to try to win life for her. There is no selfishness on their part, nor on Lucy's part. And in the same way that Lucy is a potential fourth 'bride', Van Helsing shares the devotion to Lucy along with the three suitors.

Now, the crux of assuming Stoker thought Lucy needed to be 'punished' rests on this line:

Why can’t they let a girl marry three men, or as many as want her, and save all this trouble? But this is heresy, and I must not say it.

As some people have noted, this does come across as more risqué to the Victorians than it would to a modern audience. At the same time, it's important to remember all Lucy has done is share a furtive little wish at this point, and even condemned it herself. The Victorians were extreme moralists, and I'm sure you could find people at the time who would say Lucy deserved some kind of punishment for this thought. You could probably even find a few who wouldn't say slow death by vampire was hideously disproportionate. But Stoker's treatment of Lucy is always as a sweet, gentle, loving and lovely person who is being brutalized by a monster. When it came to imparting moral lessons, the Victorians were not subtle people, and yet Lucy is never explicitly portrayed as deserving anything that happens to her.

Note also Lucy's use of the word 'heresy', because in this specific book that doesn't come across as damning as it otherwise might. Remember, Stoker was a 19th century Church of Ireland Anglican. From his perspective (and indeed the English characters' perspective), the Roman Catholic Van Helsing is a heretic. The presumably Russian Orthodox captain of the Demeter was a heretic. Sister Agatha is a heretic. The villagers who gave Jonathan all the anti-vampire gear including the crucifix were heretics. This book is absolutely full of good, morally upstanding heretics. Bram Stoker was rather strikingly heretic-positive for his time and place.

As I said in the beginning, part of the issue here is the pop culture image of Lucy. In the 1931 version with Bela Lugosi, Lucy takes an interest in Dracula-- and dies for it. In the 1958 version with Christopher Lee, she actually hops out on her balcony and bears her throat to him, also consciously gets rid of her garlic-- and dies for it. In the 1992 version with Gary Oldman... god I don't even know where to start with that one. I do like that movie, I'm not bashing it (or not all of it) but... well, let's say it's not terribly subtle when it comes to how we're supposed to read Lucy's situation. I could go on, but there are a lot of adaptations.

In short: I don't think Stoker wanting his audience to come away from this thinking "Well, that's what happens to girls who think dirty thoughts". I think he wanted us to feel all the pain of losing a kind, loving human being. I think he wanted us to hate Dracula for essentially torturing her to death. Again, with Lucy the symbolism of blood loss is completely reversed-- she is the opposite of Dracula right up until she dies. Stoker was massively sexually repressed, and shared in a cultural fear of sexuality, especially female sexuality, but I don't think in Lucy's specific case he meant for Dracula's murder of her to be read as a just or natural consequence.

If you haven't finished the book, I would advise you to please stop reading here, because there are minor spoilers incoming. Nothing specific, just vague allusions, but still, there's nothing more of value for you to read here.

BRIEF, MINOR SPOILERS WHILE I ADDRESS PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY READ THE BOOK THROUGH.

Yes, I know what happens next, and I stand by all my above arguments. I'm gonna be writing more of my thoughts about that when the time comes. Possibly going to split that one into two posts, because looking back at this one yeesh it got away from me.

END OF BRIEF, MINOR SPOILERS.

#dracula daily #dracula daily meta

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somnesca · 2 years

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Fuck it.

The Polycula as Disney Princesses*

*includes non-official ""princesses"" because I don't care about that branding crap and this is more fun

Mina Harker: Some might think Belle is the obvious parallel here but imo she's better suited as Tiana. No one works harder, deserves better, or handles malevolent harbingers of the underworld with more guts and grace. Plus: she's got a beautiful fancy best friend.

Jonathan Harker: ...honestly I had too many options here but our good friend is taken hostage by a lord of a creepy castle with dark secrets, avoids a pack of wolves, wanders into forbidden wings, and bonds with said lord over their mutual interest in books. Jonathan is the OG Belle and there's nothing I can do about it. Plus: he loves his "monster" (Mina, of course, not Drac) and WILL defy all of society to defend that love if he has to.

John Seward: Suddenly overwhelmed with evidence of creatures and beings that don't make any sense? Check. Firmly believing there is "madness" in others while avoiding confronting his own? Check. Baffled by seemingly nonsensical wordplay of one of his helpful companions? Check. He's Alice in Wonderland, all right. Someone come get him out of this rabbit hole.

Arthur Holmwood: Ok bear with me on this one, it's kind of a deep cut. I was leaning toward a classic princess at first, but then it occurred to me: a character who is glamorous and elegant and comes from high society, but who will jump into action when innocent lives are on the line, even using their connections to travel to far-off lands... well that's the lovely Miss Bianca from The Rescuers, baby.

Quincey Morris: This was harder than it should have been because not enough classic Disney princesses are allowed to have guns. (But they should.) So I went with just vibes. Who loves adventure and not being confined to a single place? Who's great with horses and quickly befriends tough guys and thieves through sheer earnestness? Who would absolutely fuck up an intruder (whether human or bat) without hesitation and with any weapon that's available to them? None other but Rapunzel.

Abraham van Helsing: I love the thought of a curious and passionate academic who winds up in a land very different from their own, who pushes through the difficulties of language barriers to connect and communicate with locals through compassion and understanding. Sure, his attempts are a bit clumsy from time to time and the locals may never fully understand the nuances of his culture, but he becomes a most beloved protector nonetheless. Ergo: Jane Porter from Tarzan.

Lucy Westenra: Now we could go the Aurora route and that suits me just fine (both are victims of a sleeping disorder and don't get that much screentime) buuut she is the fairest in all the land, charms the hell out of older men, and is released from her supernatural death curse with a gesture of true love...Snow White, is that you?

Renfield: Look at his stuff. Isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think his collection's complete (although adding a kitten would be nice)? Poor Renfield's got a strong voice with a lot to say but no one listens to him, because he's angling for something more by striking a deal with a dark power. Despite all his best efforts, he does not end up being part of that world. (But he can be a part of ours! Tumblr loves you, Ariel Renfield.)

I invite alternatives and arguments if you feel so moved, it shouldn't need to be said but this is not to be taken seriously by any means.

#dracula daily #jonathan harker #mina harker #john seward #arthur holmwood #quincey morris #abraham van helsing #lucy westenra #renfield #i think i was inspired by jonathan harker's disney princess vibes?#so i wanted to try my hand at the others #if this has already been done i... am so sorry

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ibrithir-was-here · 2 months

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A couple questions!

What kind of personality do you see canon timeline Quincey Harker having? Does he get told what happened on an early age when he figures that he's different than the other kids or why he has the names of people who aren't related to his parents/Van Helsing isn't either one's father?

Is Rosemary having traits that Basil did not have? Does she have a better taste. Is she a rationalist or a romantic?

He's a very kind and thoughtful boy, quick to stand up for others and always very polite to everyone (until they prove they don't deserve it and then that politeness becomes a sheild until he figures out how to get them their due)

He is told the full story eventually. When he's around 12ish, he reads the published manuscript, and they have to tell him the full truth then. Until that happens, Jonathan and Mina give him child appropriate versions of how he came by his namesakes and how they all knew each other, but the whole dark tale is for when he's older. Let him have as much of a normal happy childhood as he can without that hanging over him.

Rosemary does indeed have better taste (though she's still prone to be weak for a pretty clever blonde). Her life this time around isnt as privileged or protected as Basil's was as an upperclass gentlemen (hidden romantic preferences aside) so she's had to be more discerning and cautious. She got perhaps more emotional intelligence then Basil did and is less prone to make excuses for people's bad behavior.

That being said, she's definitely still more of a romantic at heart, one who would prefer to look for the good in the world and others, but she's a romantic who's been burned over, both in this life and the last. She'd like for things to live up to their ideal, and still clings inside to the hope that they will, but knows intellectually that more often then not reality disappoints, and its better to be prepared.

That being said, in her more vulnerable moments she definitely leans more into her hopeful side and is more willing to accept things on how she hopes they are--like Hal's offer of help and friendship.

Her rational mind might tell her to be cautious of getting her hopes up for a stranger, but her heart wants very much to have a friend right now, especially one who might be able to get to the bottom of all the strange things happening to her.

#asks #the solider and the solicitor #quincey harker #dracula #Rosemary is for Remembrance #rosemary porter #basil hallward #the picture of dorian gray #tpodg

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gaygryffindorgal · 4 months

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A Christmas Prince; The Royal Wedding

Chapter 3: The Princess and the Ogre

Summary: Royal protocol threatens to dictate everything about Dawn and Quincey's wedding. Olympia's charity play faces obstacles.

Words: 3k

Characters:

Dawn Harvelle and Evander Alderly @potionboy3

Quincey and Olympia Alderly, Tess Brandon

Gaia Alden by @cursed-herbalist

Also featuring:

Pandora Lovelace & Nymeria Lee by @gcldensnitch, Jimmy Crouch, Maxim Raeburn, Rosa Yaxley & Evan Harvelle by @potionboy3, Rocky Weasley by @magicallymalted

Beginning | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Want to read the first fic in the series, A Christmas Prince? Click here!

Chapter 3: The Princess and the Ogre

“Your Majesties, Your Highness,” said Evander. He had a distinct look of dishevelment about him that Dawn had not expected to see.

Quincey’s personal security guard had already stepped in, ready to escort Evander out of the premises.

“It’s alright, Mr. Flitwick,” said Quincey. “He appears to be in no shape to do us any further harm.”

“Queen Isabella,” said Evander. “Merry Christmas.”

“What is it you want, Evander?” asked the queen.

“I know I deserve to be met with such hostility,” Evander continued. Dawn’s dad and Tess had made their way next to Dawn, as if to serve as his personal guard. Dawn thought it was kind of cute. Tess whispered: “Is this the bloke who…”

“Who tried to steal Quincey’s crown? Yes,” Dawn whispered back.

“Frankly, I’m amazed to see your face here, cousin,” said Quincey.

“After the… unfortunate incident last Christmas, I lost almost everything I had,” Evander explained.

“Just desserts!” Olympia chimed in.

“I don't expect you to forgive me,” said Evander. “But I wanted to say I'm sorry, and Merry Christmas…”

The entire family was looking at Evander in something of a shock. This was the last thing Dawn had expected and he was willing to bet it had not crossed the minds of anyone else in the room, either.

“And congratulations,” finished Evander, looking at Dawn and Quincey now with an expression that could almost be described as genuine. “To you both.”

He turned to leave, and Quincey stepped forward. “Wait.”

Evander stopped in his tracks, turning back to face the king. Quincey sighed and said: “I don't know how you'll ever regain our trust. But we're still family. And it's Christmas.”

Olympia looked like she was about to punch some sense into her brother. Dawn exchanged looks with his dad and aunt.

“He may stay,” Quincey told the head of security and Evander looked seemingly relieved.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet, Olympia might actually murder you.”

Evander looked at Olympia who scowled. It seemed forgiveness didn’t come to her as easily as her brother, though Dawn wasn’t sure where all this goodwill on Quincey’s part was coming from.

Queen Isabella exchanged a few words with his wayward nephew, who then hovered awkwardly near the tree but didn’t touch any of the decorations. A passing waiter gave him a mug of steaming hot glühwein. Dawn decided to go over and see what he was really up to.

“Count Evander,” he said as he approached.

“Mr. Harvelle,” he replied. “Or Your Highness, soon enough.”

“What brought you to us on this… fine December evening?” Dawn asked.

“I knew you would all be together, and I thought: what better time to make my apologies?”

“I guess,” said Dawn, squinting his eyes.

“I know you don’t like me or trust me, but I’m not here to cause any trouble,” said Evander. “I’m just trying to make things right between me and my family.”

“It’s my family too, now, so if you try any shit–,” started Dawn but Evander stopped him on his tracks: “I won’t. I don’t want to go against you and my dear cousins ever again. The first round was quite humiliating enough.”

Dawn was a little pleased to hear it but hoped it wasn’t too obvious. “Quincey’s right, Olympia might actually kill you.”

“Yes, I imagine obtaining her forgiveness might be a little too optimistic.”

As the evening went on and the tree began to look sufficiently decorated, Evander had gained enough ground to sit on one of the couches and talk about his past year. He and his mother Amelia had a falling out and that had resulted in her cutting off all the money. It must have been a blow, but Dawn found it hard to sympathize with a count when it came to these things.

“So, what did you do?” asked Tess.

“Well, I moved to a more… modest housing arrangement,” Evander explained. “Oh, and I sold my car, that one was… difficult.”

Dawn rolled his eyes, but Tess chuckled and said: “It must have been.”

Evan sat next to Dawn and said under his breath: “Should we be worried about that one?”

“I’m always worried about Evander,” Dawn replied.

“Maybe I should kick his ass?”

Dawn laughed quietly. “Oh my god, dad.”

“I would probably lose.”

“No, you’d totally win.”

“Win what?” asked Quincey, walking up to them.

“Fist fight against Evie,” Dawn explained.

Quincey seemed to think about it for a while and then said: “You would definitely win.”

Evan grinned and Dawn smiled but then his expression turned more serious, and he asked: “Why did you let him stay?”

Quincey shrugged. “I think everyone deserves a second chance.”

Everything went mostly without an incident although Olympia did throw a glass bauble at Evander when he dared to laugh at Tess's joke too merrily in her presence. Dawn thought it was funny, but the queen informed them all that the bauble had been a gift from the American ambassador and now he would wonder why it doesn’t feature in any of the royal photographs.

Back in his bridal suite™️, Dawn exchanged a few messages with his friends back home. Well, back in Bristol since this was home now. It was late, too late, with Dawn’s early morning looming threateningly in the horizon.

the bristol squad; panda: wait cunt evander is back?? panda: NO panda: COUNT panda: autofill1!!! maxim: oh my god rocky: 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 dawn: where’s the lie panda: it was a typo nym: no it wasn’t jimmy: it was a freudian slip

Just when Dawn was putting his phone away, he heard a knock on his door. He crept out of bed, wondering whether it was Evander, come to assassinate him. Suddenly it made perfect sense why he had come back, acting all humble and apologetic. He certainly had some devious plan to kill Dawn and get the throne. Just in case, Dawn picked up a decorative candelabra on his way to the door. When he opened and was instead faced with Quincey, dressed in his pajamas and a fancy dressing gown, he hid the makeshift weapon behind his back and smiled.

“Quince!”

“What were you going to do with that?” the king asked, half puzzled half amused.

“Defend myself, of course, your palace security is lax, I know that from experience.”

“Dear lord…” said Quincey and grabbed Dawn’s face, kissing him. Dawn pulled him into the room and maneuvered the door shut. Quincey took the candelabra from him and deposited it on a nearby side table.

“Jesus, you could have killed someone with that,” he said.

“That was the idea, although I was expecting it to be Evander.”

“Why would Evander come to your rooms at this hour?” Quincey inquired. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

“To kill me, of course.”

Quincey laughed. “Of course.”

“Are you allowed to be here?” asked Dawn.

“Well, no, technically not.”

“Ooh, naughty,” Dawn teased.

“But I wanted to see you,” said Quincey with a soft smile.

Dawn, not immune to Quincey’s smile, kissed him and pulled him to bed.

The next morning, Dawn was dressed to the nines in the custom made Alderlian wedding outfit insisted upon by the queen. He felt like a complete fraud.

“It’s magnificent,” said Pince.

Rosa was frowning but remained silent.

“I can’t wear this,” said Dawn. He couldn’t even name all the different items of clothing involved.

“You must,” said Rosa. “It’s a symbol of Alderlian continuity.”

“No, it isn’t,” argued Dawn. “I want to talk to Quincey.”

“The king is busy, at the moment,” said Pince. “But I’ll make sure to note down that you want a word with him.”

“He’s going to be my husband and I need to schedule a meeting with him?” Dawn asked. He tried his best to remain calm, but this was all getting ridiculous. He wondered what Quincey was going to wear for the ceremony.

“Help me get this thing off, I need a break,” said Dawn and Rosa rushed to help him remove the outfit. None of it felt right.

The kitchens were empty, since it was some time until lunch, but breakfast had long since been served. Tess set a big, steaming cup of tea in front of Dawn and sat opposite to him.

“You’re my hero,” Dawn said.

Tess gave him a smile. “This is all a bit…”

“Much,” finished Dawn and Tess nodded, sagely.

“Have you settled in?” Dawn asked.

“It’s definitely been interesting to spend so much time with Evan, of all people.”

“Are you getting along?”

“Sure, I always liked him,” said Tess.

“That’s a relief,” said Dawn. “I didn’t realize they wouldn’t let me drag you two everywhere with me.”

“We’ll be fine,” Tess reassured him. “I’m just a little worried about you, though.”

Dawn sipped his tea carefully, as to not burn his tongue. “I feel like it's not my wedding. All this pomp and circumstance. It's like, at this point, I'm almost dreading the big day.”

“Marrying into royalty, of course there’s always going be parts of your life that won’t be just your own, but I think there’s a reason why the king fell in love with you, and it wasn’t your complete adherence to rules and protocol,” said Tess.

“Honestly, Tess, I didn’t think I would ever get married, much less married like… well all this,” Dawn said, motioning around vaguely to everything around him. “But shouldn’t it be about… royalty or not, about being with the person I love, with... with all the people that I love there with me?”

“When did you get so wise?” asked Tess.

“I was always wise, you just refused to see it because you were bitter that I put glue in your hair,” said Dawn.

“That’s very true.”

Dawn took a deep breath. “Christmas without mum is always going to be hard. But getting married without her being there…”

“I know,” said Tess. “I always think about her when something big happens in my life. Like when I graduated or when I launched a new tea line.”

“I guess we're both feeling that, huh?”

“I miss her every day,” Tess said.

“Me too.”

“Which reminds me,” said Tess and dug something out of her pocket. “I was supposed to give this to you as part of your wedding gift, but I figured you might need something to watch your back before the big day.”

Tess took Dawn’s hand and put a necklace on his palm. It was clear quartz with a fine leather cord. Dawn remembered seeing it on Tess many times. Dawn’s mum had given it to Tess as a present when she started high school, to bring her luck, and Tess had worn it throughout the years, up until university and beyond.

“I can’t take this,” he said, immediately.

“Yes, you can,” said Tess, and closed Dawn’s fist around the necklace.

“It’s yours.”

“You need it more than me,” said Tess. “I don’t have any big, life altering events in my horizon.”

“Tess…”

“Your mum would want you to have it. I know she would.”

Dawn sighed.

“I won’t take no for an answer.”

“Then…” Dawn started. “Thank you.”

He pulled the necklace over his head and maybe it was in his head, but it did bring him comfort. It made him feel like everything was going to be alright.

“She’d be proud of you, you know,” said Tess.

“Would she?”

“Yes. So proud.”’

On the car ride to Olympia’s dress rehearsal, Dawn got a rundown of The Tale of Princess Froon.

“It’s a folktale,” Olympia explained to Dawn, Evan, and Tess, but mostly Evan. “The original is much more brutal than the version told to children. Kind of like Grimm’s fairytales. A fair maiden who granted Santa Claus his magical powers, sounds wholesome, no?”

“Very,” said Evan.

“Princess Froon was coveted for her ability to grant magical powers. One day she was captured by a big, hairy ogre named Grundel…”

“Like Shrek!” said Dawn.

“No, nothing like Shrek. Grundel traps Princess Froon inside a castle made of ice…”

“Like Frozen?” Dawn tried again.

“Not at all like Frozen, Dawn, shut up. Grundel was going to eat her for breakfast, when his pet turtle…”

“Turtle?” asked Dawn. He couldn’t resist.

“Yes. His turtle found a little baby in the woods. And when he brings the baby to the castle, she cares for it and nurses it back to health. Her kindness melts the ogre's heart, and he falls in love with her.”

“The end?” asked Dawn and Olympia threw a piece of confectionery at him.

“No,” she continued. “The ogre sets the princess free, so then she turns the baby into Santa Claus. And she kisses the ogre to say goodbye and thank you, and he turns into a dashing knight in shining armor. The end.”

“And it's all true?” asked Evan.

“Obviously.”

“Fair enough,” Dawn said.

“Honestly, it’s not any less mad than strange women lying in ponds distributing swords as a basis for a system of government…,” mused Evan.

“Who's playing the ogre slash knight in shining armor?” asked Dawn.

“Just the reason for my mother’s ire,” said Olympia. “Her name’s Gaia Alden, the daughter of baron Alden.”

“Oh,” said Dawn. Suddenly it made much more sense why Isabella was so against her daughter taking part in this play.

The thing about Olympia’s play was that it was completely put together by amateurs on as low a budget as possible. The entire idea was to collect money for the orphanages of Alderly so the children could have a nice Christmas, complete with a heap of presents. The participation of so many members of the nobility itself had garnered quite a high society crowd. It was all in good fun, for a good cause. Olympia had told Dawn that they’d pretty much done everything themselves from sets to costumes.

“Why must you trap me here, Grundle?” Olympia spoke her line. Dawn was no actor, but he found the princess’s portrayal to be believable enough.

“Your fair beauty hurts my eyes,” said Gaia Alden, donned in the mask of the fearsome ogre. “But that is not why I trap you here. I trap you here because I want your magic!”

“You cannot force me to use it. I must believe in my heart!”

“Then I shall eat you. And your magic shall seep into my flesh and stones!”

There was a brief pause in the action and Dawn, from his front row seat, could see everyone racking their brains for how to handle this.

“I think it's ‘bones’,” Olympia whispered.

“That's what I said, isn't it?” asked Gaia. As an audience member, Dawn would have bought stones hook, line, and sinker. Maybe Grundel was a stone troll.

“Never mind. Let's move on to scene 12.”

“Right, yes,” Gaia said, clearing her throat. She motioned to her prompter and had a brief discussion with him. Just as the director was about to call action, everything went dark. For a minute, Dawn suspected a blackout but then his phone buzzed. It was Quincey calling.

“Hey,” he replied.

“Dawn,” Quincey said. “The unions are calling for a general strike. Are you still at the theater?”

“Yeah, we’re here,” said Dawn, keeping an eye on Olympia, who was frantically discussing with Gaia and some others of her theatrical troupe.

“The theater workers are also going on strike, in solidarity,” said Quincey. “I’m afraid the performance is cancelled.”

“What? Does O know?”

“I have to go,” said Quincey. “I’ll see you tonight.”

Quincey hung up and Dawn was left staring at his phone, flabbergasted.

“O!” he called out, climbing up on the stage. “What’s going on?”

“I wish I knew,” said Olympia.

“It looks like the play is cancelled, Your Highness,” said Gaia, going through her phone, probably looking at news.

“Maybe they’ll get everything figured out before–,” Dawn started.

“The premiere’s tomorrow,” said Olympia. Dawn decided not to question why he hadn’t been made aware of this, same as many other things going on in Alderly.

“I’m sorry, Olympia,” said Gaia. “You made a brilliant Princess Froon.”

“Fuck,” said Olympia.

“C’mon, O,” said Dawn. “It’s going to be alright.”

“People are going to want their tickets refunded,” Olympia said. “But we used most of the money already. On the kids.”

Dawn put a hand on Olympia’s shoulder. “We’ll figure this out. Come on, we have to go before your security detail thinks Miss Alden and I kidnapped you.”

“That would be bad,” said Gaia.

“Alright,” Olympia sighed, and they headed out of the theater hall.

“Merry Christmas, your highnesses,” said Gaia once they were outside. “For what it’s worth, I'm sorry we won’t be able to do the play. It was fun.”

Olympia smiled. “You made a brilliant ogre, Gaia,” she said.

“Thanks…?”

“And an even better knight in shining armor,” the princess added, taking both of Gaia’s hands in hers and leaning in to kiss her cheek. Something about the gesture made Dawn avert his eyes. Gaia left in her own car and Dawn and Olympia entered theirs.

“Fucking hell,” Olympia said.

“Can the crown pay the refunds?” asked Dawn.

“Not easily.”

“Well… shit.”

“Mother did tell me not to do this,” Olympia said, leaning her head back against the leather seat.

Dawn thought about all the hard work Olympia had put into making this play happen and an idea began to formulate in his mind. “Most of your crew is just your friends and peers, right?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“What if we did the play at the palace?” Dawn suggested.

“What?”

“What if we just cleared room and put up a stage for the play so then you wouldn’t have to refund?”

Olympia seemed to think about it for a moment. Eventually, she said: “It could work.”

“Yeah?”

“I think it might. Oh my god, I’m texting the idea to the guys right now,” she said and took out her phone, starting to type. Dawn grinned. Maybe the Christmas play could still be saved, but then there was still the country.

tag list: @lifeofkaze, @gcldensnitch, @endlessly-cursed, @cursed-herbalist, @magicallymalted

(ask if you want to be included or removed)

#flirting 101 with olympia: you make a brilliant ogre!#fic: the royal wedding #a christmas prince au #dawn harvelle #quincey alderly #dawncey #olympia alderly #gaia alden #did these two have a ship name..?#anyway i can't believe the first thing i write including them is this mess lol #this is not how strikes work in the real world!! but hey #*my writing #dawn and friends' group chat is something i wanna read through so desperately #jimmy continues to be an unintentional comedic king and i love him for that

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see-arcane · 1 year

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Renfield (2023) Thoughts fresh from the theater

Spoilers and so on below

If I had to summarize the whole movie, it would be, “First fanfiction ever written by a middle schooler who just finished watching Dracula (1931), fell in love with its version of Renfield, and made a clumsy attempt at updating and rescuing him with an AU that gives him a massive century-long body count and a happy ending at the cost of giving only him and Dracula any real effort in character while leaving the rest of the cast to be filler.”

Which is to say, C+.

Count Cageula and Houltfield were fun and you could tell they were putting energy and joy into their roles. Everything else? Oof.

Oof.

The supporting cast’s only highlights were the support group’s members and the actress playing the mob boss Bellafrancesca—big bonus points to her for so easily selling a camp villain counterpart to Cageula; instant evil MILF4DILF chemistry in their one scene together, 11/10.

Meanwhile, the majority of the characters delivered their lines like high schoolers stumbling through their first play. Awkwafina was already wince-inducing for making her play Token Good Cop with Quincey’s name tagged on, but she acted this whole thing like she was counting down until payday. There’s one scene towards the climax where she’s tricking Cageula to get close for an attack, and her delivery has less character to it than an Alexa response.

But then, there wasn’t exactly a ton of great dialogue to work with. The few plum lines were reserved for Hoult and Cage. Everyone else got raisins.

Other practical nitpicks would be the very odd choice to go 100% on some great monster and gore prosthetics, but then revert back to early 2000s-grade CGI blood spurts. These victims were goddamn gushers. Oh, sorry, not victims—the cannon fodder baddies in the action sequences.

The victims got some good classic bloodshed! Thankfully, the only murdered innocents on screen were killed by Cageula. But, like the trailers hinted, Cageula wanted Houltfield to fetch him some innocents himself. An order we’re led to believe was some ‘new’ order that Houltfield couldn’t bring himself to follow, which would’ve been a great callback to Original Renfield who hit the brakes on obeying Dracula when it threatened Mina. And maybe this really was the first time Cageula made that an explicit order! We do get a scene where Houltfield drags in some villain corpses for Cageula to snack on with him assuming this will satisfy.

But Cageula spits the blood out, declaring it trash. He wants blood from good people.

Which, as certain reveals show, Houltfield should already know, considering he’s spent the better part of a century getting Cageula’s meals. The fact that Houltfield seems surprised at this demand for innocent victims is either him being disappointed that his plan to reduce his own secondhand villainy has been thwarted, or else it’s just a flub in the writing.

And this comes on top of a reveal that Houltfield apparently left his wife and baby daughter behind for ‘greed and power’ offered by Cageula. It’s acknowledged in-dialogue that this wasn’t Cageula’s will, just an opportunity that Houltfield went for.

(An addition that makes me a little gladder that they didn’t try to swap Jonathan Harker (or, to nod back to the 1931 version, ‘John’ Harker) for this spot. Because any version where he would leave behind Mina and their child for Dracula’s sake, no matter the interplay of manipulation or Faustian nonsense, would have been a nail too many in the coffin.)

All that said, it’s very much a mixed bag. So much so that I feel I should give the caveat that I may be being too harsh, as I am a sour little gremlin who’s spent the last year with their head in a vat of Dracula fixation juice. And it also deserves saying that there were good bits worth seeing, Houltfield was very endearing, and the gleefully evil Cageula was a laugh and a half. Watch the movie for that if nothing else. It could be there’s some gold there I missed by being too prickly.

One major silver lining? I am doubly looking forward to having Hoult portray Thomas Hutter in Robert Eggers’ upcoming Nosferatu remake. Thomas Hutter and Renfield ala 1931 are already 90% harvested Jonathan Harker parts, and this movie proves how well Hoult can play the ‘sweetheart manipulated into a bad situation’ character. I’ll take it as a good sign for that role if nothing else.

#I'll probably grab the DVD at some point but I won't be in a rush #I knew it wasn't going to be a cinematic masterpiece #it's just there to be fun #and I did have fun!#but it was in spite of a lot of pitfalls that shouldn't have been there #r.m. renfield #renfield #renfield (2023)#dracula #spoilers #ramble ramble ramble

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cake-apostate · 2 years

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My take on Sympathetic Dracula stories

I’ve come to realize that I don’t have a problem with stories that try to make Dracula sympathetic. What I do have a problem with are stories that try to make Dracula sympathetic by making everyone else terrible. It’s like they think there’s a limited amount of sympathy to go around, and the only way to make Dracula likable is to shit on everyone else. It’s especially galling seeing how we’ve grown to love the cast.

Our Friend Jonathan? A cowardly milquetoast who doesn’t really love Mina and stifles her intellectual spirit.

Dynamic, multifaceted Mina? Keeps the sympathy, loses everything else. Dracula is her true love, not Jonathan.

Dr. Seward, who at least tries to be moral given the medical ethics of the time? Gleefully experiments on his patients.

Poly queen Lucy, who was distressed at the prospect of turning down the three men who proposed to her? A shallow, selfish ditz.

Everyone’s favorite cowboy, Quincey Morris? Who?

And Van Helsing hunts vampires because he’s too blinded by zealotry to see them as people. (Might elaborate after further story developments.)

I want to see if it’s possible to write a sympathetic Dracula story without going for something like, “The Demeter’s crew absolutely deserved to be brutally murdered.”

Although it’s not strictly a Dracula adaptation, Castlevania did a good job of avoiding this. We do feel sorry for Dracula sometimes, but he’s still attacking humanity with a massive wave of undead, and the Belmonts are never in the wrong for slaying him.

Mathias being driven mad by the untimely death of his wife is understandable, but Leon is absolutely right to be pissed that Mathias’s manipulations killed his fiancé.

Netflix Drac is a bitter, vicious widower in mourning, lashing out at the world that murdered his wife for objectively incorrect and pointlessly cruel reasons. But his way of mourning is to take everyone down with him, and the only way to stop him is to kill him.

(Yes, Trevor, Sypha, and Alucard are decidedly more anti-heroic in the Netflix version, but not to make Dracula look better by comparison.)

It’s tragic that Julius and co. have to kill Soma in the bad endings of Aria and Dawn of Sorrow, but doing it doesn’t make them evil.

It’s also implied that Dracula doesn’t want to keep fighting after Symphony of the Night, when Alucard tells him that Lisa never wanted revenge, but he’s forced into the role of humanity’s enemy. Does this invalidate anything that post-SotN heroes did? No.

#Dracula #Dracula Daily #castlevania #castlevania netflix

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dross-the-fish · 9 months

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So the fling Dorian and Adam had wasn't romantic on either side but still sounds very painful. Besides the players how did the rest of the motley crew react? I hope some tried to comfort Adam.

Hyde was unsympathetic, advised Adam to think less and just enjoy the experience next time he got to bang someone really hot.

Quincey shared a story about getting his heart broken that made Adam feel a little better.

Larry awkwardly told him he could do better and Adam didn't believe him but appreciated the sentiment

Selma told him it's not uncommon to wind up in bed with a jerk like Dorian "but he ain't gonna change so you gotta let it go for your own sake,"

Erik wasn't there in the original campaign but I can only see it ending with Erik trying to comfort Adam and the topic turning to Christine so Adam ends up being the one doing the comforting.

Watson reassured Adam that he does not deserve to be treated like a toy to be used and thrown away and that he belives Adam is worthy of real love. He just needs to be patient and do his best. Watson would also encourage Adam to have more self-respect and not throw himself at the first person who shows him affection.

Theo would sympathize about being treated like a novelty, as a male impersonator and part time sex worker she's had her share of that and she knows how small it can make someone feel. She'd listen to him and share her own experiences with Dorian Gray. In the original campaign where she was a side character she actually showed up as the entertainment to the party where Gray flirted with Adam.

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gardenofshadcws · 7 months

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Dracula Daily Day 86

IT’S THE BIG ONE

Dr. Seward’s Diary

Renfield nooooo I’m so upset

Dracula how dare you beat my boy like this I’m in PAIN

AND NOW YOU GO AND BLAME HIM FOR THIS? LIKE HE DID IT TO HIMSELF???

Dr. Abe this is so not an accident what are you talking about

Arthur and Quincey heard the plot needed them and who are they to refuse?

Can we save his life because he’s a human and a good bean and not just because he has information? Like please?

HE’S ALIVE!!!

“What’s wrong with my face?” I’m DISTRAUGHT

DON’T DIE

“I must go back to death - or worse” DRACULA HOW COULD YOU

The way Renfield capitalizes He like Dracula is a god, or on a level with God is so telling without saying much at all

Ugh this poor thing has been a victim this entire time. And Jack just looks at him like a science experiment.

“I don’t care for the pale people” AAAHH MINA

Everything hurts and I’m dying

He tried to SAVE her BABY RENFIELD AAGHGH.

Oh cool we’ve gotten what we wanted so we’re just ditching im I guess.

Quincey I love you but I think saving her from becoming a vampire is more important than silly Victorian propriety

DRACULA GET AWAY FROM HERRRR.

It’s truly disgusting how many adaptations saw this scene with Dracula drinking from Mina and decided “romantic? Sexy? Soulmates???”

BUT THE SUITOR SQUAD GOT THIS FUCK OUTTA HERE

Noooo Mina ;~;

This part is destroying me

Jonathan seeing his wife distress and immediately going “I’m going to kill the fucker” is glorious

Mina and Jonathan are relationship goals

“I much touch him or kiss him no more” “aww hell no” Jonathan is the most ride or die ever. Given the choice between Mina or God and he chooses Mina I LOVE this sweet boy

NOOO THE RECORDS. But it’s okay, Mina’s the best and saved everything

RENFIEEEEELDDDDD

PTERODACTYL SCREECH

BABYYYY NOOOOO

Quincey and his bats, man.

I’m so upset

The story of Dracula slipping in to attack Mina is just as horrifying the second time around

“A little refreshment” ewww

“What have I done to deserve such a fate” NOTHING MINA YOU’RE PERFECT AND WE’RE PRIVILEGED TO HAVE YOU HERE

And there goes Jonathan’s hair

Jonathan Harker’s Journal

Jonathan stressing makes me stressed

God’s not helping you, your friends are helping you

RENFIEEEEEELLLLLLLD

He tried to save Mina and this is what he gets

This attendant sucks at his job and now my SWEET BOY IS DEAD.

Nothing should have been kept from Mina in the first place dammit

“I shall die!” MINAAAA.

Van Helsing’s right for once, that’s not actually going to help anything.

Yes, lockpicking, much better than breaking in.

At least Mina doesn’t have fangs yet, that’s a good sign

Way to go Van Helsing, you made Mina cry again.

And then you burned her head. You’re handling this extremely poorly, man.

Poor Mina :( Girl just wants to live her life

“She shall not go into that unknown and terrible land alone” AWWWW. JONATHAN YOU ARE THE SWEETEST.

This is so romantic it’s melting my black dead heart

“I have written this in the train” Just like the beginning of the book, that’s a beautiful callback.

“The place smells so vilely” perhaps that’s because you just lit a cigar, Art (yes, I know it’s Vamp Stink)

Dr. Seward’s Diary

It always seems like a long wait when we’re waiting for Arthur and Quincey.

Jonathan babyyyy

Yeah, Jack, you’ve got nothing on Jonathan I’m sorry

So, if Dracula was a scholar, are we… condemning the seeking of knowledge over faith? Is that what’s happening here?

The zoophagous patient had a NAME, dammit

Jonathan is out for BLOOD. And not in the vampire way

There’s Dracula, it’s battle time!

Jonathan where the HELL did you get a kukri

Damn. SO close.

All this and Mina’s still trying to put on a brave face

Can we stop talking about Mina’s purity because that’s giving off some really icky Madonna-whore stuff

These two love each other so freaking much

Stoker’s letting his boys cry again you love to see it

I am also in tears by the way if you even care

Jonathan Harker’s Journal

I too thought today would never end

“My poor wronged darling” awww

It’s okay, guys, Quincey’s here to protect you :’)

#dracula #dracula daily #dracula liveblog #books

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