Dracula (The Collector's Library)
Bram Stoker, Jonty Claypole (Afterword)

This is first on my summer reading list. Hopefully, summer starts May 22, but that depends on when I finish my paper...

Update: summer officially starts at 5:30 pm, May 24. Not bad.

Update (7/18): I finished Dracula last week. Much like Frankenstein and Jekyl/Hyde, this book sheds light on sin and the human condition. The format is interesting: the entire book is written as the journal entries of the main characters (along with a few articles/letters). The book is long and not for the faint of heart, but for anyone who studies humanity and culture, it is a must read.

Details:
Format: Hardcover, 526pp
Pub. Date: September 2003
Publisher: Barnes & Noble Books
Edition Description: Complete and Unabridged Edition


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THE BODY-SNATCHERS (pages 96-124)
in THE STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE and other stories
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Barnes & Noble, (C) 2004, 311pp
This story is true horror. The twist does not happen until the very last word of the story (so, if this is your first read, DON'T PEAK!). The best thing is the lingering question: What made the difference in the reactions of Fettes and Macfarlane? Makes me wish I had read this as part of a reading group; this would be a great discussion topic.

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THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Barnes & Noble, (C) 2004, 311pp


Like Frankenstein, Jekyll and Hyde is a good study of human depravity, especially the results of giving in to temptation to "work it out of your system". Jekyll sad end reveals the folly of such a notion. I do recommend the book, but it can be a bit slow at times and, if you've seen a movie version, the sequence in the book might throw you off a bit.

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FRANKENSTEIN, by Mary Shelley.

Barnes & Noble Collector's Library edition... a mere $4.95

I've seen lots of Frankenstein movies--some good, some too bad for words, but not to match the book. I've no formal response. Frankly, the book is so rich in theological anthropology and hamartiology that it should be required reading for systematic theology. I may read it again in a few months... maybe to transition back into fall. Not sure. I do know that Mary Shelley is an amazing writer. I know that this book is highly recommended (given that you forget every movie version you ever saw). Her plot development is so subtle it'll drive you nuts. The images are rich. Well worth the time--even for those who do not normally read fiction.

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HOLY THE FIRM
by Annie Dillard (C) 1998
Pub: Perennial, 80 pages


Holy the Firm

Read it for the language alone. Beautiful. Check out an excerpt here.

Tag: books