Synopsis: Come January, Kottayam Pushpanath’s translation of ‘Dracula’ will make a grand return. This time, Pushpanath is not alone: the original author, Bram Stoker’s family, too, is involved.

The shadows on the wall changed shape as the kerosene lamp flickered. The dark, dancing patterns were reminiscent of spooky and often made-up characters in grandmother’s tales.

An oily fragrance filled the room, where a young woman lay on the bare floor with her head towards the lamp, a book in hand.

Crickets have long fallen silent after their chirps had warned Kottayam of the impending rain. The pitter-patter of the spitting rain, normally soothing and melodious, scared her that night as she flipped pages with rapt attention.

Somewhere far away, a dog barked briefly, startling the woman. She

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