Bram Stoker's Notes for Dracula: A Facsimile Edition

Bram Stoker's initial notes and outlines for his landmark horror novel Dracula were auctioned at Sotheby's in London in 1913 and eventually made their way to the Rosenbach Museum and Library in Philadelphia, where they are housed today. Until now, few of the 124 pages have been transcribed or analyzed. This painstaking work reproduces the handwritten notes both in facsimile and in annotated transcription. It also includes Stoker's typewritten research notes and thoroughly analyzes all of the materials, which range from Stoker's thoughts on the novel's characters and settings to a nine-page calendar of events that includes most of the now-familiar story. Ample annotations guide readers through the construction of the novel and the changes that were made to its structure, plot, setting and characters. Nine appendices provide insight into Stoker's personal life, his other works and his early literary influences.

Table of Contents:
Table of Contents Acknowledgments      Foreword by Michael Barsanti      Introduction      Methodology      Bram Stoker’s Original Foundation Notes & Data for His “Dracula” Part I: Handwritten Notes on the Plot      Part II: Handwritten Research Notes (“‘Dracula’ Notes, etc.”)      Part III: Typed Research Notes (“‘Dracula’ Notes. etc.”)      Overview      The Myth of Dracula      Appendices: I. The Rosenbach Page Numbers      II. Bram Stoker: A Brief Biography      III. Bram Stoker: A Brief Bibliography      IV. Bram Stoker’s Nonfiction Sources for Dracula      V. “Vampire” from the Encyclopædia Britannica (1888)      VI. Possible Literary Influences      VII. Bram Stoker’s Library      VIII. Dracula: The Novel vs. the Notes      IX. Dracula: The Novel We Could Have Read      Works Cited      Index of Bram Stoker’s Original Notes (as Transcribed)      Index of Editors’ Annotations     

About the Author :
The late Bram Stoker was an Irish writer of novels and short stories and the business manager of the Lyceum Theatre in London. The late Robert Eighteen-Bisang, owner of the world’s largest private collection of vampire books, was an authority on Dracula and vampire literature. He was a member of the Horror Writers Association and lived in Vancouver, British Columbia. The late Elizabeth Miller, professor emeritus (Memorial University of Newfoundland), was recognized internationally as a leading Stoker and Dracula scholar. She lectured regularly on both sides of the Atlantic and published several books. She lived in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Review :
“the book is a thing of beauty...a serious book...is a real treasure...an amazing variety of material. Both authors are experts in vampire lore...a scholarly, well-organized and aesthetically pleasing marvel of a reference...a must-read”—macabreink.com; “it is a tool to study the birth of a literary classic...invaluable...stir the imagination and cast new light on a beloved tale”—Rue Morgue; “valuable and enthralling examination”—The Tomb of Dark Delights; “fascinating...a must”—Midwest Book Review; “meticulous research...an extraordinary work of scholarship”—Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts; “a very interesting compilation...a very interesting look into the creative process”—Critical Mass; “recommend[ed]”—Vampire Empire; “essential...a must-have companion piece”—www.vampyres.ca; “invaluable source. Both thumbs up on this book”—Patricia’s Vampire Notes; “with the wonderful annotations and insights of the coauthors you can picture yourself looking over Bram’s shoulder as he works. The painstaking work and detail put into this book is mind boggling and was surely a labor of love...exceptional...the absolute must companion piece for Bram Stoker’s epic tale. A mind boggling journey through Bram Stoker’s handwritten notes. A must book to own if you own Dracula”—Famous Monsters of Filmland; “I cannot help but imagine the array of new scholarship this book will engender. Given the limited number of texts that deal directly with Stoker’s Notes, this book will certainly expand an already thriving field of study to new possibilities, making it an invaluable addition to any collection”—Studies in the Fantastic; “a great job organizing and laying out the progression of the notes, it will be the benchmark for all researchers and fans alike”—Dacre Stoker, (Bram Stoker’s great-grandnephew); “Eighteen-Bisang...may well be the world’s leading authority on Dracula”—The Republic of East Vancouver Newspaper; “fascinating in-depth view”—Vampyres.