42 pages 1 hour read

S. T. Gibson

A Dowry of Blood

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022

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Essay Topics

1.

This book is marketed as a retelling of the story of Dracula’s brides, but Constanta’s narrative does not map neatly onto Bram Stoker’s novel. Is A Dowry of Blood an adaptation of Dracula or an original vampire story? Why? Use examples from the text to support your response.

2.

Constanta’s narration is marked by inconsistencies, ambiguities, and occasional typos. How do these features of the narration develop Constanta as an unreliable narrator? How does her unreliability shape the narrative?

3.

There is only one brief reference to “that whole debacle with the Harkers” in A Dowry of Blood (184). Why do you think Gibson chose to omit the events of Dracula from her retelling? How does this decision impact the plot and character arcs?