author : Brittany Warman

This is the course guidebook that accompanies the 10 lecture “Great Course” of the same name. It is essentially an abbreviated transcript of each lecture, a few pictures, and some related reading. (I watched the lectures, which is what I am reviewing here, and am using the book simply as an aide-memoire.)

This course covers the literary and folklore history of the Dracula legend. We get some of the historical background of people and events that might have contributed to the tale; some of the folklore that is related, how fear of disease and strangers may have contributed, a discussion of Bram Stoker’s book, and of some subsequent films.

Unfortunately, this is all rather shallow and occasionally repetitive. I learned some things, but I am sure there is much more that could be said, at greater depth. (And the double act style of the presenters was more podcast than lecture-style, which I found somewhat off-putting.) Disappointing.