Bram Stoker's Dracula is a seminal Gothic novel that intertwines Victorian anxieties, superstitions, and the clash between modernity and ancient evil. Each passage – be it diary entry, letter, newspaper clipping, or other – is dated, and the book spans six months, from May 3 to November 7th. Between now and then, I’ll be delivering the book straight into your inbox, on the relevant dates. Like that, you’ll get to experience Dracula In Real Time.
Dr. Seward’s Diary
5 June.—The case of Renfield grows more interesting the more I get to understand the man. He has certain qualities very largely developed; selfishness, secrecy, and purpose. I wish I could get at what is the object of the latter. He seems to have some settled scheme of his own, but what it is I do not yet know. His redeeming quality is a love of animals, though, indeed, he has such curious turns in it that I sometimes imagine he is only abnormally cruel. His pets are of odd sorts. Just now his hobby is catching flies. He has at present such a quantity that I have had myself to expostulate. To my astonishment, he did not break out into a fury, as I expected, but took the matter in simple seriousness. He thought for a moment, and then said: “May I have three days? I shall clear them away.” Of course, I said that would do. I must watch him.