As I mentioned yesterday, I’m loving our book club selection, Bram Stoker’s Dracula. If you think you don’t need to bother with this book because you’ve seen vampire movies or read Anne Rice or those Twilight vampire books, you’re really missing out. This is such a horrifically magnificent novel, so brilliantly crafted, I just can’t believe I haven’t read it until now.
The story is especially spooky for me because I find it generally terrifying to be a guest in another person’s home. I always have. Sleep-overs were really not my thing as a kid. Now, if I have to stay in somebody else’s house, even if it’s just for one night, the panic sets in almost immediately upon entering the home. Most of it is food related anxiety. In my own home, I don’t spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about food, but in another’s home, because it’s rude to go immediately to their refrigerator and start rummaging around, I spend most of my waking moments worrying about, and longing for food. And all my moments in another’s home are waking moments, because I can only sleep in my own bed.
Aren’t I fun?
The point is, I really feel for Count Dracula’s hapless houseguest.
Well, now I have to run out and so tomorrow I’ll tell you my embarrassing houseguest story.
In the meantime, a spooky/erotic poem:
Christabel [Beneath the lamp]
by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Beneath the lamp the lady bowed,
And slowly rolled her eyes around;
Then drawing in her breath aloud,
Like one that shuddered, she unbound
The cincture from beneath her breast:
Her silken robe, and inner vest,
Dropt to her feet, and full in view,
Behold! her bosom, and half her side—
A sight to dream of, not to tell!
O shield her! shield sweet Christabel!
Yet Geraldine nor speaks nor stirs;
Ah! what a stricken look was hers!
Deep from within she seems half-way
To lift some weight with sick assay,
And eyes the maid and seeks delay;
Then suddenly as one defied
Collects herself in scorn and pride,
And lay down by the Maiden’s side!—
And in her arms the maid she took,
Ah wel-a-day!
And with low voice and doleful look
These words did say:
‘In the touch of this bosom there worketh a spell,
Which is lord of thy utterance, Christabel!
Oh Ann, you certainly don’t appear to have ANY food anxieties, but i DO understand. I mean, how can you have a toasted cheese sandwich, standing in your nightie, at someone else’s stove in the middle of the night? I want you to know that I have enjoyed your snow scenes more than I can express! The glorious dogs, the horses, the hockey! THANK YOU!
Ann, you are so right about Dracula being nothing like the movies, Twilight series, or any of those other vampire TV shows. It truly is a unique story, a horror classic with great character development and chilling elements. For those doubters, just give it a look, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Can’t wait to hear about the houseguest story!
I read this book a zillion years ago, and can’t wait to read it again. I really enjoyed.
I too want to hear the house guest story.
So maybe my growing up was very strange — I was partially raised by a Southern English teaching grandmother. She used to read me this poem. I had forgotten that until now. Thanks so much for the memory and the poem. I may be forced to download the book and do some speed reading to catch up with you! xo Vennie
Ooooh, your photo went very well with your spooky theme Ann! I can’t wait to hear your houseguest story too.
Cupcake
http://www.thefamily-table.blogspot.com
I might have to catch up on Dracula too. I think the reviews that I’ve read on this blog are tempting me to give it a go. Right now I’m wrapped up in a book on the infamous Dakota building, overlooking Central Park. Fascinating history. It was written before John Lennon was shot, so the theme is more comical, with stories of the eccentric residents and their affection for the building.
Ann, I don’t like to be a houseguest either. As a child, I was never allowed to sleep over at anyone’s house, which was probably a good thing – lots of mean girl antics. Now, I much prefer to stay in hotels when visiting out-of-town friends. Of course, with the bedbug epidemic, I’m a little more leary (no pun intended).
I’ll get right on the Dracula bandwagon so that I can join in on the discussion.
Please tell us your houseguest story today. I know it will be a hoot.
Aislinn, what is the name of the book on the Dakota building? It was all over the news on the recent anniversary of John Lennon’s death, and I googled the building and was reading online about it. Really quite interesting. Sounds like the book is a great read, would you mind posting the title and author. Thanks.
That Picture is Breathtaking, I just love it! I too hate being a house guest I prefer my own bed, and i hate to feel i am a burden, just feel very uncomfortable. I love to have guests stay with me BUT i do not sleep the first few nights as i am so worried that they have everything they need and they are ok as i know how horrid it is.
Moral of the story, I may just turn into a vampire and shun human beings unless for food.
Bev, me too, I stay awake when we have guests! Unless it’s my in-laws (who will just help themselves so I don’t worry about them) or our own Cyn from Westchester, who has also stayed over.
ps, I skipped over the poem as i normally do, but i saw the words Erotic ( nice try Ann) so i went back for a look
quiet enjoyed that one ….
LOL Bev!!
I enjoyed today’s poem, thank you. And, as I’ve said earlier, I’m not part of the vampire “flavor of the month team”, but this book has been a wonderful find. The descriptions, all of the writing itself have been terrific. I never would have read it on my own; now I’m recommending it to friends looking for a “new” book to sink their teeth into ( one of my colleagues actually used that phrase before I told her what I’m reading–couldn’t wait to jump on it !!)
I don’t think you’re alone at all for not wanting to stay at someone’s home, because you can’t really let your guard down and go wandering around their house or, like you said, helping yourself.
We rarely stay at other people’s homes, and when we do, I have the same anxiety over food. So what do I do? Pack snacks! Honestly, I bring a variety too – from Hershey Kisses to peanut butter crackers, Fiber One bars, Cheese Nips, you name it, I’ll pack a sample platter in my bag. And I’ll also bring my own pillow (I even did that on our honeymoon, trips to CA, etc). I’ll also bring a bottle of water too. Matt calls it “dinner disaster preparedness.” Don’t let it fool you, he constantly pilfers the above snacks from my bag.
One of my pet peeves when we have stayed overnight somewhere, is a home where they “don’t drink coffee” or “only use soy milk.” Blech. Well, then, go to Dunkin’ Donuts and get your houseguest some coffee with real milk! (Yes, I am a demanding bugger in the morning.)
Ann, the photo is beautiful! Are you ready for the Nor’Easter on Wednesday – the presumed Storm Denis? Batten down the hatches.
I pack snacks, too! I do this when I stay in someone’s home, or in a hotel. I think I must have starved to death in a strange bed in a past life.
I’m the same way, I walk into a house and I’m immediately starving! KC, I’ll now pack a travel bag, what a fantastic idea.
Based on all the reviews, I think I’ll download the story. But will I need to sleep with the lights on?
I’m glad I found your blog, love the posts and everyone’s comments.
I’m not crazy about staying at other people’s houses, and hotels, for that matter. Uncomfortable beds, pillows and chairs(both my husband and I have tricky backs). And hosts will envariably like television shows that I despise and insist that everyone watch because they are so great. I get especially annoyed at showers. I can never make them work, and of course I have my glasses off at the time I’m trying to turn the shower on. Always have to get someone else to turn it on for me. Food is not usually a problem, cause if I’m hungry I ask for something to eat. I solve all these problems by rarely traveling or visiting others.
My last boss had a horrible time eating any food prepared in someone else’s home. If we had carry in dinner it was torture for him. I always made a point of buying packaged meat trays chips etc which oddly enough he had no trouble eating those types of things. I really understand your anxiety as watching him go through it each holiday dinner I really felt bad for him
there’s blood on the horizon
and rose bloom in the skies
I’m frozen with my eyes on
the daylight as it dies
Wow. Beautiful, Phil.
Lovely, Phil!
Dear Phil, I can’t believe I didn’t see this until now. LOVE
Reminds me of when I first read Frankenstein. What a brilliant novel!!!! I can’t believe that I waited until I was almost 40 before I read it. Now I want to tackle Dracula.