For more explanation, what did you learn about the making of/detail of a book that changed your perspective of the work?
For example, *Dracula* is my favorite book (and shares the #1 spot with its monster cousin, *Frankenstein*). Recently, I learned that there is no evidence to suggest that Bram Stoker named the vampire Dracula because he knew about Vlad the Impaler’s infamous extracurricular activities. Instead, he read *An Account of the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia* [(you can read it in full on Project Gutenberg)](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/68612) that included a footnote explaining that the surname “Dracula” was given “to any person who rendered himself conspicuous either by courage, cruel actions, or cunning”. There is no reference to Vlad III or his impaling in any of Bram’s notes! That really changed the book for me because it makes you realize that the vampire is his own character– he’s not some spoof. But then I thought– if Bram had done just a *little* more research, he would’ve been floored! A prince who impales his enemies is gothic horror gold!
by draculasacrylics