Without taking the knee-jerk politically correct reaction to sexism and racism of the time the book was written, the book itself starts out rather well and then takes a 90 degree turn to nonsensical. At first the story seems to go rather well as it follows the protagonist in his journey from being an Outbacker in Australia to the more rigidly structured life in England, and even tries it's hand at explaining the legends of the Lambton Worm... But then the story changes so badly I gave up when… (more)
Without taking the knee-jerk politically correct reaction to sexism and racism of the time the book was written, the book itself starts out rather well and then takes a 90 degree turn to nonsensical. At first the story seems to go rather well as it follows the protagonist in his journey from being an Outbacker in Australia to the more rigidly structured life in England, and even tries it's hand at explaining the legends of the Lambton Worm... But then the story changes so badly I gave up when the focus went from protagonist to villainous stooge. Stoker's understanding of mesmerism and hypnotism is ignorant at best and detracts from the suspense being built around Lady Arabella. It's said that at the point this book was written Stoker was suffering from Bright's Disease as the original book was published the year before Stoker's death; and it's apparent that it had taken its toll on his coherence. Pity too, as I was entertained by Ken Russell's rendition of the movie.
You know how you always wonder why you've never heard of other titles written by the author of a hugely famous book? It's because some things are best forgotten. This book is a case in point. In spite of having been written by Bram Stoker the book is so terrible that it should fall out of, and remain out of, print. I do not say this lightly. Even making allowances for the attitudes and sexism prevalent when it was written, it so full of the most shocking racism that it is literally sickening… (more)
You know how you always wonder why you've never heard of other titles written by the author of a hugely famous book? It's because some things are best forgotten. This book is a case in point. In spite of having been written by Bram Stoker the book is so terrible that it should fall out of, and remain out of, print. I do not say this lightly. Even making allowances for the attitudes and sexism prevalent when it was written, it so full of the most shocking racism that it is literally sickening to read. Way, way over the top. And there's nothing else to recommend it in the way of plot or characterization either.
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Fri, 11 Mar 2011 22:03:11 +0100
Without taking the knee-jerk politically correct reaction to sexism and racism of the time the book was written, the book itself starts out rather well and then takes a 90 degree turn to nonsensical. At first the story seems to go rather well as it follows the protagonist in his journey from being an Outbacker in Australia to the more rigidly structured life in England, and even tries it's hand at explaining the legends of the Lambton Worm... But then the story changes so badly I gave up when… (more)
Without taking the knee-jerk politically correct reaction to sexism and racism of the time the book was written, the book itself starts out rather well and then takes a 90 degree turn to nonsensical. At first the story seems to go rather well as it follows the protagonist in his journey from being an Outbacker in Australia to the more rigidly structured life in England, and even tries it's hand at explaining the legends of the Lambton Worm... But then the story changes so badly I gave up when the focus went from protagonist to villainous stooge. Stoker's understanding of mesmerism and hypnotism is ignorant at best and detracts from the suspense being built around Lady Arabella. It's said that at the point this book was written Stoker was suffering from Bright's Disease as the original book was published the year before Stoker's death; and it's apparent that it had taken its toll on his coherence. Pity too, as I was entertained by Ken Russell's rendition of the movie.
(less)Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:26:33 +0200
You know how you always wonder why you've never heard of other titles written by the author of a hugely famous book? It's because some things are best forgotten. This book is a case in point. In spite of having been written by Bram Stoker the book is so terrible that it should fall out of, and remain out of, print. I do not say this lightly. Even making allowances for the attitudes and sexism prevalent when it was written, it so full of the most shocking racism that it is literally sickening… (more)
You know how you always wonder why you've never heard of other titles written by the author of a hugely famous book? It's because some things are best forgotten. This book is a case in point. In spite of having been written by Bram Stoker the book is so terrible that it should fall out of, and remain out of, print. I do not say this lightly. Even making allowances for the attitudes and sexism prevalent when it was written, it so full of the most shocking racism that it is literally sickening to read. Way, way over the top. And there's nothing else to recommend it in the way of plot or characterization either.
Do yourself a favor and skip this one.
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