Dracula Collection

by Stewart Cowley

Dracula Collection [Hardcover] Cowley, Stewart

80 pages, Hardcover

First published July 31, 1981

About the author

Stewart Cowley (also Steven Caldwell, Hubert Venables) is a British writer and artist, best known for his works in the "Terran Trade Authority" universe.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am I really the first to enter a review for this book?
For lovers of 70's horror covers this book is a must, you will have no trouble in recognising some of these delightfully lurid covers. The story itself is unremarkable, one or two interesting scenes but otherwise a noticeable hack-job.
This would have receieved five stars if the story was better, however I think four is fair. Check it out, one definately for the nostalgia buffs over 40.

[Luis · Rating 4 out of 5]

From what I deduce, the story is written to fit the illustrations and not the other way around, as the other wove a story that would fit the ghastly images. The story pertains a certain occult investigator who by way of mystic lore finds himself in an otherworldly realm and from there he goes to Dracula's castle, becoming his guest for a while. The Count then starts telling stories about the various paintings and objets d'art in his castle, and thus the story unfolds.
This book is worth it for the magnificent illustrations that accompany the text which could nowadays be described as "paperbacks from hell" type of artwork. Many (if not all) of the pieces have been used before and since for various horror book covers and I'm sure any connaisseur of the genre will recognize a few. Since the book is an oversized hardcover, the art really has space to shine.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

An attempt at a horror version of the "Terran Trade Authority" books. Cover paintings from horror novels are presented as part of a fictional narrative describing the artworks collected at Castle Dracula. The conceit could work, but the accompanying horror story is not very good. It's more corny than scary. Probably would have been better as a non-fiction art book about the illustrations and the artists.