The Secret Life of Laszlo, Count Dracula

by Roderick Anscombe

A novel reinventing the Dracula myth. Slight edgewear to jacket. Page block a little grubby from dust, but otherwise in good clean condition throughout.

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Vampires, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Retellings, Gothic

474 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[AM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was telling a friend about this book and how much I liked it, just now I went to find it on my bookshelves. I don't think I've picked up this book since the tender age of 18. It's funny to flip through and see what I thought was worthy enough to underline, along with a bookmark from a rave in November of 1994. I still like those lines I underlined and so I share a few with you:

"My heart bled for her."

"Foolish questions by a man whose heart ignored the knowledge in his head."

"I have been trying to kill myself without actually dying."

"I have ceased to exist in my own awareness."

"Inwardly, I cringe in dread, expecting divine retribution to crush me."

"The substance of the flesh in my mouth felt unnatural, and the hint of corruption and decay on my tongue was almost more than I could bear."

"I have led myself deeper and deeper into this perversion by seemingly innocent steps."

"I grieve for him, because I know he suffers deeply for my sin."

"Even when she employs euphemisms it is as though she is stroking a cat the wrong way."

"I remembered that old frisson she had been able to evoke in me at will, though she no longer had the animal power to make me feel it."

"I was rewarded for my tease with a blush, a color which much becomes her, and momentary disarray of her poise during which I had the illusion of staring directly into her private thoughts."

"Tears gathered at the corners of my eyes and, overflowing, burned my cheeks like acid."

"Love is the last great lie."
-----------------------------

Ahh, even then a romantic. Indeed, I am.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be one of my favorite books of all time. I loved the way it was written in diary form in the eyes of the main character, his inner most feelings, and deepest thoughts. It gave me a different look on Dracula, as a human that suffers from a primal need and feeds it. It was a great read. something i read over and over.

[Olethros · Rating 3 out of 5]

-Jugando a ser Best Seller no siempre se gana.-

Género. Novela.

Lo que nos cuenta. Laszlo es un joven húngaro de origen noble y de 23 años que se ha desplazado al París de la segunda mitad del siglo XIX para trabajar como ayudante clínico en el hospital de la Salpêtrière, donde espera seguir profundizando en sus investigaciones sobre el laberinto de la mente humana. Pero también para estar más cerca de su prima Nicole que siempre ha generado en él profundos sentimientos a pesar de la aparente indiferencia de ella. Otra joven, Stacia, sujeto de un experimento en el hospital y profesional del amor, generará otro tipo de sentimientos en Laszlo, cuya personalidad compleja y por momentos inquietante iremos conociendo poco a poco mediante su diario mientras somos testigos de su lenta pero inexorable caída hacia lo obsesivo, lo malsano y lo criminal.

¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:

http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com....

[Marc · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok I finally finished this book and it was a chore to get through - it was not in the least bit suspenseful, intriguing or scary - I must say I was expecting alot more... takes too long to get started... I won't be reading any other books by this author.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book at a thrift store. I judged it by the cover :-) The info given on the book jacket seemed interesting and kind of weird. I bought about 5 books; I decided to read this one first. At first, I had a hard time wanting to return to it; however, the more the main character developed, the more I found myself wanting to read. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. In saying that, it was predictable; but I wanted to read the specifics and how ands what. I also feel it was unrealistic that Laszlo's wife did not turn-in her husband when she personally witnessed such a gruesome crime. Those are the two main problems I have with the story. There was not necessarily anything redeeming about the main character, but for some reason, I liked him. However, I do not think there were supposed to be any redeeming qualities. It was a look into the thoughts of a murderer who, at the beginning, came up with justifications in his head. I wish there had been more detail at the end.

[Lynsey Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Firstly spoiler warning - this book is not about Dracula. The name Dracula was added to it as a selling point so poor Vampire fans like me would think ohhhhh interesting and pick it up. Alas it is neither a new take on Mr The Impalers tale, or is it interesting .

It is a tale of a frightfully dull and whiny sex criminal who’s surname just happens to be Dracula.

The book advertised on the dust cover and the book actually within the pages where two different things. The cover screams it is a book about sexual deviancy, madness and murder. This is bollocks. Instead we have a non mad killer picking off only 4 victims (hardly a killing spree). Yes the killer has a perchant for young pretty girls, at first just to sate his slightly rough lust, then to abuse and kill, but even this is dull and takes up all of about 10 lines.

False advertising my friends, false advertising indeed.

On top of this the book is far, far to long. Any plot movement only takes up about 30 percent of the book and the rest is just the overblown, narcissistic internal dialogue of perhaps the most contrite (and shite) version of old Drac ever put to paper.

Nothing really happens. All the characters deserve everything they get and we only got one impalling.

Shame, as the first part set in Paris was actually quite interesting. Perhaps the writer got as bored writing it at this point as I did reading it.

Thank god this was only 50p from a charity shop.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this isn't your typical vampire story it was well written and portrayed Laszlo's character exceptionally well. Despite the lack of the usual vampire gore that I was expecting this book still portrayed the obsessive, impulsive yet incredibly charming characteristics of the 'traditional' vampire. It is the Laszlo's of the world that we should be worried about not the fictitious Dracula types portrayed elsewhere.

[Gerhard · Rating 1 out of 5]

A dark and BORING road down to the depths of a crazy person! Would not read this again....

[Lector Perruno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desde que leí la novela de Stoker, todo lo relacionado con Drácula me chifla. He perdido la cuenta de todos los retellings, secuelas... leídos de este clásico. Nunca son lo mismo, pero me enganchan de forma mala. Como muchas veces he contestado sin pensar, es absolutamente mi “villano” favorito. Puede que por eso no sea muy objetivo, y libros que no son muy valorados en general, sí lo son por mí debido a mi adicción por su figura.
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Esta novela nada tiene que ver con fantasía o vampiros. Está ambientada en los años del conflicto austro-prusiano, a modo diario. Trata sobre Laszlo, hermano del conde Drácula, que viaja de su Transilvania natal a París para hacer prácticas de medicina en un hospital psiquiátrico. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Como he dicho, aquí no hay colmillos, ajos ni estalla nadie al sol. Pero sí se desarrolla una progresión en Laszlo (no la quiero desvelar) que muestra una perfecta y creíble disección entre el hombre y la bestia, por así decirlo. Vampirismo muy real.
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No encontraréis tampoco un exceso de chorrazos de sangre, vísceras ni mucho gore. Es... sofisticado. Un estilo narrativo muy bueno en el que todas las piezas que componen esta historia son recreadas con una prosa aplastantemente diáfana.Describe muy certeramente a todos sus personajes, acontecimientos, giros... Creo que lo mejor del libro, más que su historia en sí, es lo bien, bien, bien escrito que está. Me recuerda a los clásicos.
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Bajé su puntuación un punto por su final. Deja entrever un par de líneas que no desarrolla. Una de ellas...habría sido increíble presenciarla (llamadme macabro). Con lo cuál, partidario de los finales muy masticados, eso me decepcionó. Prefiero que hubiese explicado más como quedaron las cosas de algún modo, aunque sea con una nota final.

[Raquel · Rating 3 out of 5]

No sé muy bien qué opinar. Es objetivamente un buen libro, que me ha hecho sentir mucho más de lo que me gustaría. Es mórbido y enrevesado, es cruel y gráfico. Es desagradable sobre todo. Aún así, no puedo decir que sea un mal libro, está muy bien escrito y es brillante, incluso si en ocasiones es algo repetitivo. Narra el deterioro de la psique humana y cómo alguien puede convertirse en un monstruo. No es un libro que vaya a recomendar per se, pero seguramente alguien más versado y menos sensible podría llegar a disfrutarlo.

[Dash · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually finished this in 2 marathon sittings, keeping my eyes glued until the early hours. I admire the angle taken on the Dracula myth, but I was hoping for something more visceral - perhaps it's the diarized format that made it unlikely. Reminded me of The Portrait of Doran Grey, mixed with Perfume: Story of a Murderer.

[Isabel Luna]

Ciertamente pensé que esta obra iba a ser de las típicas del género paranormal, con elementos sobrenaturales, pero es una historia planteada en primera persona y en un fondo real, con un análisis de la personalidad y de la fascinación por la sangre. Sin duda el propio autor se ha valido de la leyenda y del trabajo del genial autor irlandés para atraer al público, ya que el protagonista siente la necesidad de la sangre casi como algo genético. Sin duda estamos predispuestos a la morbosidad que despierta la figura histórica del vampiro (no digamos ya de Vlad Tepes, sobre el que hay minúsculas y sutiles alusiones a lo largo del libro). Todo ello me empujó a seguir a Laszlo por aulas de la universidad y callejuelas de París, y por las esquinas secretas de Budapest y por los campos a la sombra del castillo familiar en pleno s. XIX, hundiéndome con él en movimiento nacionalistas nada pacíficos.
La historia tiene buen ritmo, con un gran dominio sobre el “alma” de los personajes que intervienen a lo largo de la trama, aunque, sobre esto, el autor juega con ventaja. Asimismo, la ambientación es ligera pero efectiva.
Como nota negativa: tanto el título como varias referencias a lo largo de la historia hacen creer q estamos ante una historia de vampiros, pero realmente la cuestión va de asesinos seriales así q ahí tenemos algo q podríamos llamar "publicidad engañosa". Por lo demás, la historia es buena, pero no vampirica.

[enara · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4,75) «It is love, we monsters tell ourselves. We love too ardently, too anciently, too honestly. Too bestially. Love is the last great lie. There is little one can say of a love so consuming, so desirous of becoming one with the beloved, that the lover tears open her neck in order to drink the gushing flow, thick and hot, down to the last quiver of her dying heart.»

[David Lecky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hated this book, nearly gave up on it a few times. I found the plot and characters to be dull and uninteresting. Then I finished it, and didn't hate it anymore. I won't read it again, but I will recommend reading it.

[Recensioni in tre parole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorprendente. Psicanalitico. Intenso.

[Allison Spiner · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book. It dragged on forever, I did not care about the characters, and it read like a skillful teenager on Wattpad wrote it.
Also it was the absolute loosest retelling of Dracula, this could be a retelling of Clue and be equally as similar.
Laszlo wasn't even a vampire, he just liked blood and that was it. No fangs, no transformation, no levitation or super speed, no mind control! Laszlo wasn't supernatural, he was a super freak.
(2/10)

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been about 22 years since I have read Bram Stoker's "Dracula," which was the only book that ever gave me a nightmare - until now. I don't know what it is about these books that gets under my skin the way they do, but if a book is written in such a way that much of the horror is hinted at more than actually given up outright, THAT, my friends, is the book that is going to make its way into my dreams.

I will tell you right out - this is NOT a vampire book in the usual sense of the word - it is a book about a man, obsession and a slow descent into a form of madness - or perhaps it is vampirism? You, the reader, must decide for yourself.

Written in the form of a diary, this book tells the story of Laszlo, the younger son of (I believe) Vlad Dracul - or it could be his grandson. What gives me reason to believe he is the son is that he only ever refers to his father as "a great patriot" and never by name. When his older brother becomes Count, he leaves for France to study medicine. While there, he rekindles an old love (at least on his end) with a wealthy cousin, then falls in with a rather bad influence, leading to another - less healthy - obsession. He becomes involved with a patient at the charity hospital where he works and then, one night when she taunts him with all her many other lovers, he kills her and drinks her blood. However, before the body can even be discovered, his uncle arrives bringing the news that his brother has been killed in battle and that he, Laszlo, is the new Count Dracula and must return to their estates in Hungary.

There is then a 20-year gap in the diary before it takes up again. Laszlo has married his brother's wife, but denies himself relations with her - thus denying himself heirs. He has, however, brought the estate back to prosperity, along with the small village he oversees. However, soon his uncle dies, and with his uncle's death comes the resurgence of urges he thought long buried in France. . .

There is not much more I can outline of the basic story without ruining the reading of it, but the sheer twisted idea that he comes up with at the ending is one of the most horrific things I have read in a long while.

Folks who are used to a more action-oriented book (or who spend too much time watching TV and not enough reading) might have trouble with this one, as Mr. Anscombe has tried to emulate the slower-moving style of the time he is writing about. However, I think it is brilliant and it literally took my breath away. I hope we see more from this wonderfully talented man.

[Ambre · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting, almost clinical inspection of the descent into the heart of darkness. However, anyone looking for some kind of closure at the end of this book will be doomed to disappointment. I've read many versions of the Dracula story throughout the years, and this is the least paranormal version I've read so far.
You almost fail to see at what point Laszlo turns and gives free rein to this baser side of himself. And despite essentially locking himself away, he's unable to quell this need to kill, to debase, to feed the need inside of him. And amazingly enough, none of the people closest to him see this side of him, until it's too late of course.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting concept, but poorly executed.

[Aros · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this book lol it was definitely well written and the characters all flowed with the entire story. It just wasn't my cup of tea :-)

[Can · Rating 2 out of 5]

As many other reviews have mentioned, I'm rather disappointed that this book is related to Dracula only by name alone.

Furthermore, I am utterly disappointed with the ending to this tale - I can't believe that even though he confessed, nothing came of it because everyone thought he was such a good guy? I mean, he was a doctor at some point, so I feel like I would have suspected him no matter what lol. Also the fact that he was in Paris when Stacia died, was familiar with Estelle, Theresa, and Helene.... come on people!!!

I was really hoping that this would have either been a re-imagining of Dracula or a continuation of Dracula's legacy, however, all I got was the descent into Laszlo's madness. I didn't absolutely hate this book because I did finish it to the end, but I did feel a little gross about how Laszlo so openly and easily pursued girls and how he ended up getting away with everything.

2 stars.

[Eddie Cai · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read with Piper.

Pacing was really bad, and the author was not good at bringing together the various threads of the story together in a satisfying way. The time-skip in the middle was such a bad narrative call, and really threw off the flow of the story. For example, by the time some of the characters in the first half return to the story, you no longer care about them at all.

The coolest scene was the mob scene involving Gregory and Lazlo, but that was short lived and the thematic threads stemming from this scene were not really explored adequately.

The writing style was fine. There were some paragraphs that were written really well but mostly bland, easy-to-read, non-flowery stuff.

Also one of the worst endings I've ever read. I thought it was a joke. I literally gasped.

[Anna Engel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confession time: I've never been able to finish Stoker's "Dracula." I've started it a bunch of times, but I just couldn't get through it.

I'm kind of surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It's not a dramatic story and it's told in almost clinical detail. Laszlo isn't the hysterical type. And despite his… perversion, I rather liked him. He's a good liar and has his own interests in mind, but I never got the feeling that he was a sociopath or anything. But I thought there would be more, you know, blood. But I enjoyed it and genuinely like Laszlo. He's a murderous cad, but still kinda likable.

I don't think I'd read it again, though, as it was lacking in depth.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is, for the most part, well-written. However, this book bears no resemblance to the book promoted by the cover copy. There are no vampires, there is more than half the book gone before the killer decides he's going to go about killing. The use of the name Dracula is completely superfluous. The sub-plot of a secret organization and some sort of conspiracy serves no purpose and goes nowhere. The supposed astounding and surprising ending is neither. I can't see any reason to read this book, and my suggestion would be not to do so.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes a different approach to the story of the original Dracula, and portrays him as a serial killer in the 19th Century. I found the book both entertaining and well written, although it's been twenty years or so since my reading. The book was written by a psychologist who worked directly with the criminally insane, and so I believe this book has more depth to it than just another work of fiction.

[Amberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started and finished date - 09.07.25 to 12.07.25.
My rating - Three Stars.
This book was okay but I found bit boring and dull also victorian psycho by Virginia Feito or dracula's child by J. S. Barnes may like is book. I hate the cover of book. The writing was hard to follow and It took some time to get used it. The atmosphere was fine but it bit bland. The paced of plot was well structured and steady paced. I have mixed feeling about the characters.

[Lyn Stapleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. Written in diary form by the main character it delves into his mind and innermost thoughts. It’s an entirely different take on the Dracula myth. Portraying Laszlo as a tormented human being with primal needs that he feeds. Nothing supernatural in this story at all, just a very flawed human being. Had my attention from the start.

[Sabina Millar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written, and delicately drawn out over a timeline that worked to the authors advantage (the main character). Detailed and graphic, it really outlines one teater on psychosis. Lust, love and struggle to posses another.

[Ricci Lambert · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book took me a really long time to get into. Halfway through I almost gave up, I persevered purely because I hate not finishing a book once I've started. I finished it, but it is not one that will stick with me.

[Bunnyfoofoo405 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A most interesting read, the ending leaves much to be desired and also raises many questions. I found that I had pity for Laszlo, you almost want him to succeed at what he was doing. But at the same time you see this person whose humanity slowly erodes throughout the entire book, almost like the draining of the blood from his victims. While I felt sorry for his victims, the majority of them seemed to be calculating, manipulative seducers who deserved what they got for playing those stupid little mind games. Laszlo reminds me of the guy in Perfume, he's a villain yes but in his own way, a product of a more villainous society.