To write his tale Bram had to jump through lots of hoops and was forced to revise and edit his work. Whole entire sections were pulled from Stoker original story. Part of it ened up in the tale “Dracula’s Guest” This story while bearing many similarity also has lots of differences.
For one the names are different. Jonathan is called Thomas and his fiancé is now now Wilma. As Harker is imprisoned in the castle he is tormented by the counts cousin. In the original it was three vampire ladies that tormented Harker. The count himself is somewhat different as well. Taking some elements from the historical personage this rendition . This story cues into his warrior past and genetically links him to Attila the Hun. While Harker is imprisoned in the castle he learned more about Dracula’s history and the past of his family. When exploring the castle in an attempt to find a way out he reaches and underground vault where in he witnesses a bizarre ritual when young women were murdered and fed to ape like vampires.
The count is loaded with gold and he is well connected to powerful people across the globe who he corresponds with. He has a plan of sorts for world domination. He has a library filled with occult books.
Minus in this book is also Renfield, the lunatic in the original. The final showdown happens in Carfax. They never return to Transylvania.
This is considered the Icelandic Version. Some believe it is based on a Swiss or a Swedish version. Some may wonder how many of these differences and nuances come from the editors contribution and what from Stoker or was there collaboration.?
A different telling and in no way is the original Impaler being spoken of. This is the fictitious Dracula.
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