Beginning the book with the first few pages.

The very first paragraph of the book states of the novel as papers that have been assembled sequentially without any reference to the past or future, existent only upon the then contemporary present. Underlying within these words lurks that captivating sense of the supernatural and unknown that is to manifold gradually further along the read. We find ourselves at first plunging into Jonathan Harker’s memories of his journey to Transylvania as we recount his journal. Mina is introduced quite early on by means of a note to himself to get for her the recipe of a chicken dish he had while at the Hotel Royale in Klausenburgh. It cannot be asserted for sure as of yet whether Mina is his wife or sister or just a friend. Although, his need to mention her every now and then as memos tell me she could be his wife. The historical brief of Transylvania and the ethnic groups residing within the country was a bit confusing for me but the pastoral description of these picturesque people, their unique attires and the beautiful landmarks held strong for the feel of entering into a domain that is visually and culturally very different from what I and a lot of people are used to seeing.

German seems to be the dominant language around here as is said on his journal. Jonathan Harker seems to have some knowledge of the language if not a proper fluency, with which he makes do. Notions of the supernatural are put forward with the mention of him heading to Castle Dracula which happens to be located somewhere within the Carpathians, the congregation of all known superstitions in the world. The exact location of the castle is unknown to Harker himself. “Queer dreams” as have been described in his journal follow the hoist for the supernatural feel but is dismissed very quickly by reasoning it with too much paprika in his dinner and a dog howling all night long. Count Dracula, his awaiting host at the castle is disclosed as a noble of the country responsible for giving name to the district Bistritz. It comes in as a bit of a wonder then as to why Harker’s hosts at the Golden Krone Hotel are struck with a resounding fear on learning of his visit to the castle. Could it be that the castle is enveloped in some deathly superstition, possibly causing harm?

The journey through the endless “serpentine” hills, the hostess at Bistritz forbidding him from continuing his journey and offering her rosary in compensation for his decision against her word, people blessing him on his journey with gestures of the cross for good luck, pathetic fallacy with the ghostly clouds, the movement of the carriage in unreasonable haste and the growing excitement as the darkness creeps in are definitely symbolic of a gothic encounter to be revealed as I find my way line by line through the pages. I wonder if the use of foreign words associated with evil such as “Ordog” and “stregoica” are deliberate for a more mysterious air. Contrarily, Jonathan’s need to keep making notes on the food he has eaten worries me of his health and weight issues. Jokes aside I wonder how people interpreted this book during the time it was first published. The reaction then must have been quite different considering the fact that we are living in a world of dominating science. The world was much more open to superstition then and in having lost most of it at present, I also wonder if much of our imagination has been lost.

auf Wiedersehen! until the next entry then, unless you decide to go and visit the Count yourself.