Review, Blog Tour & Giveaway: Drood
On June 8, 1865, Charles Dickens was traveling on a train that was involved in an accident in Staplehurst, England. The only first-class carriage that didn’t jump the track was the one carrying Charles Dickens, his mistress and her mother. After Dickens got the two women to safety, he began to help injured passengers from the other carriages. He encounters Drood, who is described as being “cadaverously thin, almost shockingly pale,” with “eyes set deep under a pale, high brow that melded into a pale, bald scalp.” His nose was “mere black slits” and he had “small, sharp, irregular teeth, spaced too far apart.” Upon his return home, Dickens became obsessed with finding Drood, and involved his friend Wilkie Collins in the hunt.
Drood, by Dan Simmons, is the fictional memoir of Wilkie Collins that explores the last five years of Charles Dickens’ life. (Wilkie Collins was a writer and friend of Charles Dickens.) The “memoir” was written in the late 1800’s but intended for readers of the future. Dickens left an incomplete novel entitled The Mystery of Edwin Drood, hence the name of this book. At 771 pages, this is not a fast read, but it is oh, so engrossing. Drood is full of detail that I found so fascinating that I stopped to look up information on Dickens, Collins and the Staplehurst accident during my reading. I discovered that this book was very well researched. I was surprised to learn that opium was so widely used in England at that time. I highly recommend this book!
Listen to what Dan Simmons has to say about Drood:
I have an extra copy of Drood to give to one lucky reader.
To enter, simply leave a comment on this post. Contest is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO Boxes, please). I will use random.org to determine the winner. Contest ends at midnight EST, Saturday, March 7, 2009. Winners will be announced on Sunday, March 8, 2009.
Some of the other blogs participating in this tour are:
Bermudaonion's Weblog 
I can’t enter the giveaway (*cries*), but I definitely want to read this book.
Please enter me in the drawing as this sounds like an intense, brooding atmosphere kind of book. Good to savor over a spate of rainy days. Didn’t Doyle’s character Sherlock Holmes indulge in opium? Or heroin? Samuel Taylor Coleridge was a drug user. No wonder he was seeing some scary things in the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner! Great review, Kathy and thanks for hosting.
Any book that motivates you to want to know more is a book that I really want to read. Excellent review! Please enter me for a chance to win. 🙂
Thanks!
Kelly
Well said! Thanks for the shout out. I love how you explained so much of the history. I just write my feelings!
This has been posted at Win A Book. No need to enter me though.
Charles Dickens and a deviant creepy individual? How much cooler can you get than that. I still get chills reading his “Christmas Carol” every holiday.
Please enter me for this drawing. Thanks! Indigo
No need to enter me – stopping by on the tour. I enjoyed it as well, and found myself looking up tidbits on the computer too! Thanks for the link!
Great review!! And thanks for sharing the video. Please leave my name off the contest, I’m not sure when I’d get around to reading it — though I plan to get to it eventually.
This sounds really interesting – I like both Dickens and Collins as authors, and the subject makes it that much better!
You’ve hooked me with your review Kathy!
Please add my name to the drawing.
This definitely sounds like a good book – please sign me up!
I cannot wait to get my hands on this. Please throw my number in the randomizer.
Me! Pick me O’Randomizer! Funny how I read all your words from the book and kept forgetting to read more about Drood from whence those new words came.
Reminds me The Dante Club – fictionalized real people? Is that what you call it? Anyway… And if I win, I promise to send it to Nymeth when I’m done. 🙂
Please enter me, thanks!
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
Please throw my name in the hat to win. This book looks thrilling.
This was such an amazing read! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. And I’m so glad it made you look up Wilkie Collins (and Dickens too, I guess; I’m not as big a fan of him!). I’ve read half of The Moonstone (no fault of the book, I just got distracted by ARCs) and all of The Woman in White, which I adored. His novella “The Rogue” was quite good too. I did make me want to go back and try Dickens again. Especially The Mystery of Edwin Drood!
I’d love to read Drood! It sounds like something I’d enjoy. I really appreciated the video, too. Thanks for posting it. Please enter me in the contest.
I was suprised how quickly the book went once I got into it. I am now convinced that Dan Simmons is an amazing writer.
As I said on Julie’s blog, I’m very intrigued after listening to you all talk about Drood on Twitter for so long, I’d love to win!
Great review Kathy. I’ve heard so much about Drood lately that I really want to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!
bj19662001 (at) yahoo (dot) ca
Hi there! No need to enter me… just “blog touring”. Loved your post!! I too found myself running to google and wiki to check out facts and events. This book really got under my skin. I will need to take a nap today as I read into the wee hours of the morning .
I have been waiting for this book tour for over a month – I am SO glad that the day is finally here!!
I would love to be entered in the contest. If I win that would be great – but if not I will definitely make this a book that I purchase.
No need to enter me as I am reading this book now. I am going to come back and read your review after I’ve finished but I wanted to check out the video you posted.
Everything I’ve heard about this book makes me want to read it. I’d love to be entered.
I felt the same, I was looking up things as I was reading. Well, more like when I took breaks, I didn’t put it down just to look things up, I liked it too much. Great review!
Please enter me, LOVE Charles Dickens, and really liked the Terror too, so my fingers are crossed that I will definitely enjoy this one. Either way would be very cool to win. Thanks!
Sararush (at) hotmail (dot) COM
I’d love to read this book. The research must have been fascinating.
Yes, please enter me. Thank you!
This sounds like a fascinating book! Please put my name in the hat too (so to speak). Thanks!
I figure if I enter enough of these contests, I’ll evidently get this book! lol Please count me in.
eventually not evidently (have another one, Chris)
Sounds good, count me in!
Don’t enter me, I already have it. I’m almost done with it, its a good one. Have you read The Terror? I really liked it, I think, maybe a little better than Drood. Summer of Night and A Winter’s Haunting are good also.
No need to enter me, just stopping by on the tour. I agree, it’s a very well researched novel. I loved the twist at the end, it surprised me!
I keep hearing such good things about this one – please enter me!
Please enter me. I would love to read this. Thanks!
No need to add me in the giveaway! Just wanted to stop by and say hi to a fellow “tour stop!” Great review!
I love the cover, it creeps me out but its still cool. I’d love a chance to read this book thanks.
I’ve heard so much about this book, and even though I know it’s going to creep me out I really want to read it! I didn’t know that about the opium either…very interesting. Please enter me!
joannelong74@gmail.com
This one’s on my wishlist, please enter me!
I just started the Terror so I’m sure I’d like this book too. count me in
Loved how you summed it all up!
Great review! Please throw my name in the hat.
Great review! I was really shocked and surprised about the Opium as well!
it is soooo big, I will need someone to hold it for me if I win. And please enter me so that I might win!
I’d like a chance to win:)
No need to enter me, I’m just blog-tour-hopping. =) Nice review!
I would love to win this book! Thanks!
Drood sounds great! Thanks for the chance to win.
Please enter me. It sounds really interesting.
Yesssss, add me to the list, dearest K!
I’ve heard a lot about this book, please enter me!
I’ve been wanting to read this ever since I first heard about it.
Please enter me in this contest.
Thank You!!
sharon54220@gmail.com
Great post, Kathy! I’m so glad you love this book as much as I do. Don’t enter me into the contest though. I’ve got one.
Please enter me. I am really intrigued with this one! Thanks!
jgbeads AT gmail DOT com
I’d love to read this.
Great review…I hope to give it another shot sometime…I thought it would just grab me..guess I need to read further in!! You don’t need to enter me…since I have the book 😉
I would love a chance to win!
Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com
Sounds like a great book, please enter me. Thanks for a great review and a chance to win.
I’ve been reading so many great reviews of this book – and all your posts of Wondrous Words you found in it have my intrigued. I’d love to win!
nnjmom at yahoo dot com
After listening to The Terror I can’t wait to read this book. Thanks for hosting a giveaway!
I’ll enter the contest! :3
Also, did you shoot that video at Kepler’s in Menlo Park? I only ask because I happened to be there that night as well!
I wish I’d been there to shoot that video! Unfortunately I was not, so I got it from YouTube.
I REALLY want to read this book. Please enter me. Thanks!
I’d love to enter your contest. Thanks!
Goodness. This one must be popular. How did you get so many comments?
I would love to win this book!
I blogged about your giveaway here:
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2009/02/this-weeks-giveaways-galore_28.html
I really am looking forward to reading this! It sounds like such an interesting story so I’d love to enter. 🙂
I’ve admired Charles Dickens ever since high school, 50 years ago, when I read A Tale of Two Cities. I’d love to read Drood. Please enter my name in the drawing. Thanks.
i would love to read this very intriguing book! Enter my name for a free copy! thanks
I would really like to read this! Thank you for the giveaway!
mittens0831 AT aol.com
Great review, but no need to enter me!
Please include me in your giveaway. I have heard so many great things about this book.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9@verizon.net
I just finished reading The TERROR by Dan Simmons and got to read the preview of DROOD at the end. It sounded really interesting – a look at a legendary author which actually humanizes him. I’m really interested in reading it.
Thanks!
callmeabookworm at gmail dot com
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win!
ruthann (dot) francis (at) gmail (dot) com
Drood has been on my wishlist, I would love to be entered! Thanks 😀
You guys have had such good things to say about it…how could I not want to read it, too??
It definitely made me look up stuff. I loved the history part of it, but it felt to tangential to me after awhile. I wondered what it had to do with the plot. I wanted to solve the mystery!
Please enter me for this book, it sounds like good one. Thanks so much.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Have been wanting to read this one! 😀
I’d love to win this. Thanks.
This book sounds very interesting to me. I’d love to read it. Thanks.
Count me in, the book sounds really good. 🙂
I wasn’t sure I wanted to read this book, but after seeing a lot of the tour posts, it sounds interesting. Thanks for the great giveaway! I’ve also posted it in my sidebar.
diaryofaneccentric at hotmail dot com
Your review of Drood has piqued my interest and has made me want to read this (very large) book! lol I would love the opportunity to win a copy. Thanks for hosting!
lisamos64@gmail.com
I’ve been wanting to read this for a really long time!
michelle.kuool(at)yahoo(dot)com
Please count me in. Thank you!
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
Great review, thanks! Also, thanks for providing the youtube video. Please enter me in the contest, always up for a new, interesting title to add to my reading pile.
Please count me in!
Thanks!
megalon22 at yahoo dot com
This sounds like such a great book! I’ve heard nothing but good things about it. Please enter me.
piper oliver avram AT yahoo DOT com
I would love to add this to my to be read pile. Please enter me into your giveaway.
Thanks so much!
dbkagrayson2002 at gmail dot com
Dan Simmons graduated from the same college I did, some years earlier. I am very happy that he has been so successful and prolific. I would live to win a copy of his latest work.
This novels sounds full of intrigue and suspense, love it!
I’d love to win this….please enter me. Thanks!
irisheyz_5 AT yahoo DOT com
I’d really like to get lost in this book on a long weekend. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com