Decoding Dracula: Handy Horror Guides Book 1

Dracula, fiction’s most infamous monster.An icon of evil. A shape-shifting, blood-slaking, creature of the darkness, both inhuman and super-human. Ruthless, cunning and ageless, he can spread his vileness like a plague, and no one is safe. Well over a century after his story was first published, Dracula’s influence still grows in every corner of popular culture. From vampire erotica to children’s Halloween outfits, the mysterious count still holds our imagination as tightly as his fangs once gripped his victims’ throats. But here’s the thing. If you only know the evil Transylvanian aristocrat from the countless films, television shows, plays and games featuring him, you’re in for some surprises. For instance, the count wasn’t afraid of sunlight, and had no need to be. Neither was he killed by a stake through the heart. Dracula’s a first edition ran to three hundred and ninety printed pages. And always needs heavy editing for screen adaptations. Decoding Dracula guides you through the action in this elaborate tale. It also delves into the REAL beliefs, practices, and people that combined to produce the story:How the vampire myth took hold throughout Eastern Europe and spread globally.Actual vampire scares in Europe and America.Possible real-life models for the book’s heroes and villains.The Irish connection.Practical advice on how to become a vampire or defend against one [garlic & crucifixes will NOT always do the trick].Tell-tale signs of a vampire.The inspiration for the count’s castle.Plus, we see how differently the tale affected those first Victorian readers than it does us. And learn how our modern love-hate relationship with pale lord of darkness developed from lowly beginnings...

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