Warning: Minor spoilers ahead for Lucy Undying by Kiersten White.Media offers many takes on Bram Stoker’s dracula, However Kiersten White’s September 2024 fantasy book is the one I never realized I needed. Lucy Undying Available in stores since September 10, the novel approaches the story of Dracula from a unique and compelling angle. It’s no wonder it’s one of the biggest fantasy books coming out this September, and it lives up to the excitement its synopsis elicits. Those on the fence about White’s latest release should run, not walk, to the bookstore to pick it up.
Lucy Undying is a retelling of Dracula Which puts one of the iconic vampire’s victims in the spotlight. Rather than focusing on Dracula himself, Lucy Undying Unravels the story of Lucy Westenra, one of the earliest victims of the vampire who becomes a vampire herself. Lucy’s characterization in Stoker’s book is not great, and she is a tragic figure more than a heroine. However, White’s take on her story turns her into a much more compelling figure. in this way, Lucy Undying Finally giving her the story she deserves.
Lucy Undying is the sappy, feminist Dracula story I needed
Kiersten White’s new fantasy book gives Lucy a much better arc
Lucy was turned into a vampire and killed in Stoker’s 1897 novel, however White reimagining of Dracula Gives you a more satisfying story. Stoker writes Lucy as a gentle character whose life before Dracula primarily consists of suitors vying for her attention. This is also true of White’s version of Lucy, but she has a much more cynical view of the situation – and there are signs that she is interested in relationships with women instead. And after Lucy is turned into a vampire, her story takes a much more empowering turn.
By placing Lucy in the spotlight and refusing to repeat her fate Dracula, Lucy Undying Provides a feminist, Sapphic take on the classic novel.
By placing Lucy in the spotlight and refusing to repeat her fate Dracula, Lucy Undying Provides a feminist, Sapphic take on the classic novel. It’s one I can’t put down, like It does a really great job of imagining where Lucy’s character could have gone In Stoker’s book. The way Lucy’s story is intertwined with the modern day heroine is compelling, and I enjoyed how Iris’ family history connected her to the vampire. Both perspectives offer so many great observations, and White’s prose had me holding a highlighter at all times.
Kiersten White’s 2024 Book puts the perfect spin on the classic horror novel
Lucy Undying is told through three different perspectives: Lucy’s diary entries from before it was turned, Iris’ present day trip to London, and Lucy’s psychiatry sessions recounting her emergence as a vampire. Through the diary entries and sessions, we come to know and respect Lucy’s character as someone with agency. And That alone makes Lucy Undying Such a refreshing take on it Dracula, Which doesn’t give the women of the story nearly enough depth – although that, of course, is a product of when the book was written.
Lucy’s desire to take revenge against Dracula also puts an interesting spin on Stoker’s story, and I was pretty pleased with how the iconic vampire was characterized in White’s new fantasy book. The other familiar faces of Dracula They are less fortunate in terms of how they are depicted, although the one-tone personalities of Lucy’s suitors can be attributed to her personal disdain for the people who pursue her. generally, I think White does a solid job making Lucy the heroine of the story. It probably helps that the author is no stranger to storytelling.
Lucy Undying once again proves Kiersten White’s talent for retelling
This is not the author’s first feminist take on a familiar story
I guess It shouldn’t be a surprise that White is reimagining Dracula is so impressiveBecause it is not the first time that the author puts a feminist spin on a well-known story. One of White’s best series, The Conqueror’s SagaIs a gender-bent Vlad the Impaler retailing, and that’s what made me discover the author’s talent. And I darken And its sequels have the same stunning prose and sharp commentary as Lucy Undying, So it’s obvious that White has a knack for this kind of storytelling.
White also wrote other retellings, including The Guinevere Deception And The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein. The latter probably helped prepare White to deal with Stoker’s dracula, How it finds you reimagining another horror classic: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Like Lucy Undying, The novel of 2018 offers a satisfying picture of Frankenstein. And after enjoying both of these books, I hope to see White take on more classic horror. It’s satisfying to see overlooked women of classic literature get their time in the spotlight, and White’s Fantasy Books give on this.