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ghostdrive
I have now completed reading Bram Stoker's Dracula! It was a really enjoyable read. Like I said in a previous post, the tension was fantastic, and the fact that the entire story was told through journal entries and letters made it really interesting.
Although the story weakens for me when all the main characters (Jonathan and Mina Harker, Prof. Van Helsing, Dr. Seward, Arthur Holmwood/Lord Godalming, and Quincey Morris) finally gather together to figure out how to get rid of the Count--mostly due to the men praising the ability of Mina Harker to a ridiculous degree. BECAUSE SHE IS OBVIOUSLY THE MOST AMAZING WOMAN ALIVE. SHE MUST HAVE BEEN CREATED BY GOD TO BE THE BEST OF MAN AND WOMAN, YOU SEE. Or so I've been led to believe. Its one thing for them (mainly Van Helsing, Seward and Jonathan since they're the ones' whose journal entries are shown) to express their admiration for her intellect a handful of times, but for this to to be mentioned during every scene Mina was in became a little tiresome.
And so:
The Power of Mina Harker: a summary of scenes with the men of Dracula, by me
Van Helsing: Oh Madam Mina, you wonderful woman! I LOVE YOU LIKE AN OLD FRIEND EVEN THOUGH WE'VE JUST MET. [manly tears]
-----
Mina: But do you not trust me completely? I knew you loved Lucy, and since she was like a sister to me, allow me to treat you as a brother for the rest of our lives.
Dr. Seward: OH I DO TRUST YOU. YOU GOOD, GOOD WOMAN. [manly tears]
------
REPEAT SCENE WITH QUINCEY MORRIS. EVEN MORE MANLY TEARS. MANLY TEXAN TEARS.
-----
Arthur: Oh Lucy! [bawls with despair]
Mina: Here, cry into my bosom.
Arthur: OH YOU DEAR, DEAR WOMAN. [more manly tears of course]
-----
Van Helsing: And so we shall swear to together rid the world of the Count!
All the men: Yes!
Van Helsing: And of course, to save our dear Mina--WHO IS SO SMART AND TEACHER TO US ALL-- of the terrible fate of vampirism!
All the men: YEAHHHH.
(And or course manly tears were shed.)END
Yeah, guys, I get what you're saying. Let's just take it down a notch, okay? I swear they shed enough tears to drown Dracula.
Mina pretty much had the men under her thumb from the get go. Even the insane Renfield was charmed by Mina during their first meeting.
A part of me thinks the story suffered a little with having six characters in Van Helsing's group. Arthur and Quincey are almost the same character honestly. But on the other hand, if their personalities had been combined, then there would be one guy who was both knowledgeable in hunting and a great marksman (Quincey) and of high standing in society (Arthur). I guess that might be a little too perfect of a person.
But as much as it seems like I'm complaining, I really enjoyed this book.
Links.
× Fashion editorial inspired by astrology. I particularly enjoy the ones for Leo, Libra and Sagittarius.
× Video: Watch What Happens When a Portrait Artist Takes LSD. Someone commentated that its like watching the history of Western art and its kinda true since this artist's style is so different with each new drawing he does of the subject. So interesting!
× I Like Games Too Much To Finish Them is about one Kotaku writer's problem completing games. "The games in which I invest the most time are the ones I'm least likely to complete." This is something I also do, and I found it so damn confusing until I realized I just didn't want it (gameplay/storyline/etc) to end. I'll spend many hours completing side-quests and whatnot, but when it comes to defeating the final boss I'll suddenly think of--oh!--there's something I've forgotten to do. I really need to break this habit.
× Fic recs from
badbadbathhouse:- → I'm a Mac, Partner (Persona 4, Souji is a PC. Yosuke is a Mac. Cue argument.) If you scroll down a little bit there's even a sequel!
→ A Garden of Paper (Persona 4, Souji/Yosuke) Very cute fluff fic.
→ the different path (Persona 3: Portable, FemMC/Male!Aigis) I never knew how much I wanted genderswap!Aigis until this fic.
× Video: Conan O'Brien prances around in jeggings. It is a hilarious sight.
× ANTM's cycle 15 winner Ann answers the most important question of all time. "I have to ask -- all season long they kept showing this pre-competition photo of you sullenly holding a bacon sandwich. What is up with that? "
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Date: 2010-12-07 05:08 am (UTC)