Classics of Horror: Frankenstein, Dracula, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

by James Krasner

A reanimated corpse lumbering from the shadows with outstretched arms. A vampire creeping toward a bared throat with fangs exposed. A scientist’s brutish alter ego stalking the shadows of gas-lit London. Chances are that you’re familiar with the literary monsters of Frankenstein, Dracula, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde—even if you haven’t read the novels that portray them.

In Classics of Horror: Frankenstein, Dracula, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, James Krasner, an expert in Victorian literature, takes you on a fascinating journey into the enduring power of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. You’ll learn how these three literary masters structured their novels to offer not only scares but also complex insights into cultural debates that still matter to us today. What responsibilities do scientists owe to their discoveries, and is there such a thing as going too far? What anxieties about gender and sexuality do we still share with Victorian readers? Can literature help us answer questions about crime, identity, and the nature of evil?

By the end of this uncanny Audible Original, you’ll have a richer appreciation for these classics of horror—whether you’ve read them before or are encountering them for the first time.

©2024 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2024 Audible Originals, LLC.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Horror, Gothic, Literary Criticism, Classics, Education

1 pages, Audible Audio

First published October 3, 2024

Reviews

[Blair Hodgkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook is comprised of a lecture series on analysis and background of the figures of Frankenstein, Dracula and Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde. Parallels between the themes of these venerated classics and our modern lives are carefully and insightfully drawn. I found the analysis of Jekyll/Hyde most interesting as I read the novel quite young and missed a lot of details. (A re-read will be due.) I was a little surprised with the lecturer’s opinion that Dracula is a boring novel in many ways; I have read it several times and love it, but there’s no accounting for taste. That said, he provides interesting information about the structure and form of the book. Recommended if you’re interested in the academic study of novels and pop culture.

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars

review to come

[ezra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars rounded up.

[Nikki Edmonds · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What? No mention of Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins! Otherwise, an enjoyable listen. Free through Audible Plus.

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short Great Courses book gives an introduction to three of the great early horror stories—Frankenstein, Dracula, and Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. Each story gets two lectures in which the author tries to give some understanding into why and how the books were written and why they have been impactful. It is not a particularly detailed account but if you've enjoyed the novel or wondered why you keep seeing characters based on them in movies, television, and literature, you’ll find this book is worth reading.

If there is a problem with this collection of lectures, it is that only two chapters are dedicated to each book. This keeps the analysis at a very introductory level, and when talking about legacy, it almost assures you that the book or movie you are thinking of that was influenced by these stories will not be mentioned. Take Dracula, for example. There are probably tens of thousands of vampire stories now (if not more) that probably would never have seen the light of day without Bram Stoker’s book. And the same can be said for both of the others. And yet, Krasner is right. Three books written in a style that is a bit slow moving by today’s standards, have inspired a kaleidoscope of wonderful (and not so wonderful) modern works that have engaged and entertained tens of millions of readers and viewers. These lectures provide a good introduction to the original characters.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Krasner does offer some interesting contextual and historical information that helps shed some light on why the authors may have made some of the choices they did, as well as why such stories and themes may still resonate with modern audiences, but there was a little too much story recapping and not enough info. for me.

My biggest gripe was Krasner's discussion of Dracula. In the Dracula sections, Krasner tells us that he finds the book boring many, many times over the course of his lecture. He also claims it's not scary and doesn't seem to realize that not everyone in the world may feel the same way about the book, a unilateral view that rubbed me the wrong way, as so much is up for subjective interpretation in these stories. I found it genuinely creepy, as did a close friend of mine in college, who had to leave her lights on overnight after reading it because the book freaked her our so badly. Krasner takes it for granted that everyone shares his view that the book is tedious and dull, which makes me wonder why he chose it as a subject. He also spends a long time complaining about how the book is structured using letters, journal entries, articles, etc., something he also found frustrating. He does eventually explain his theory on why, but never mentions the fact that the epistolary novel (a novel told through letters) was a common style of writing in the Victorian era, an odd omission, considering he'd previously discussed Frankenstein and Jekyll & Hyde - BOTH of which also used elements of this format.

In the end, these oversights and the general attitude that Dracula is a badly written book, made me leery about fully buying into all his information. Why spend the time writing a lecture on a book you have no use for?

[Jim Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a semi-interesting analysis of Frankenstein, Dracula, and Jekyll/Hyde. It did provide some insights and more detail as to what was going on in each. I certainly got pseudo-political and societal aspects from Dracula that I hadn't previously.

That being said, the author strains to find insights even where they may not exist. In particular, it seems that he felt it crucial to find feminist or misogynistic aspects to each, whether they're really there or not. Some of these were really a stretch. Then, to further stretch the point, he references various movie adaptations and vaguely related books to demonstrate. In these cases, he's not really bringing these 'big 3' books to light -- he's postulating on how MUCH later authors and moviemakers used similar characters or ideas.

[Biggest Little Book Talker · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a conversation starter!
I love the original monsters and think their origins are fascinating.
I want to brag my friends and bring up all the topics that were mentioned in this book.
The idea of Frankenstein being a man trying to create life without women and how man manipulated it! Comparing it to AI and other forms of media was super impactful, not mention The Stepford Wives was a big miss out!
The conversations specifically on Frankenstein peaked my interested.
Jekyll and Hyde has never been my favorite, but there is something to be said about the devious things someone may be hiding inside.
Dracula tarnishing the family line was very unique, through character and blood!
Crazy interesting!

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great analysis of the main themes, inspirations, and historical impact of these three classic horror titles. learning about mary shelley's tragedy-filled life makes the story of frankenstein all the more heartbreaking... and though i admittedly haven't read dracula, the book sounds tedious as hell - glad i listened to this instead.

i had beef with the narrator ngl, whenever he quoted book excerpts he used a silly dramatic voice that was quiet, mumbly and incoherent. please speak normally thanks

[Chad Schultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok
Why not enjoy a bit of background on those three novels during spooky season.
Allegations of the authors speaking to social issues likely overblown.
Some mildly interesting context, indicating connections to events and people of the era. But not fascinating. Basically what you'd expect in a literature lecture.

[Stephanie Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typically, I really enjoy these Audible lectures, but this one was just okay. As an introduction to the texts, its a good listen for anyone wanting to learn more. But for someone who has already read and/or studied these stories multiple times, there wasn't anything new or exciting in the arguments/comparisons made.

[Ian D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Μια ακαδημαϊκή ανάλυση τριών εκ των δημοφιλέστερων έργων τρόμου της αγγλικής παγκόσμιας λογοτεχνίας: Φράνκενσταϊν, Δράκουλας και Δόκτωρ Τζέκυλ και κύριος Χάιντ.

Μια μελέτη που εξετάζει το κοινωνικοπολιτικό πλαίσιο της εποχής τους, καθώς και την απήχηση που έχουν από την κυκλοφορία τους ως τις μέρες μας παρά τους αρκετούς λόγους που θα είχαν για να μην είναι δημοφιλή.

Σύντομο, ευανάγνωστο και περιεκτικό.
3/5

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am waffling between 3 stars and 4 stars. It's pretty Plain Jane in the analysis. But it's only a couple hours of listening and included with audible. It covered all the basics, and if you didn't want to read the books (which are classics 5/5 stars I love them, I considered it blasphemy when the author called them boring in the beginning).

Overall totally worth it

[Zuzana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series of six half-hour lectures (two dedicated to each book) made me want to pick those novels up again - which, I assume, was the whole point. I also guffawed at James Krasner’s insistence that Dracula is boring. I had a very different experience reading it at 13, but hey - to each their own. :)

[A.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like these kind of things as background noise while I am walking or working in the garden. Dracula boring? frowns at lecturer.

ooh I hadn’t clicked with Fight Club being a version of Jekyll & Hyde.

3 stars

[Nicole Geub · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was very good! I enjoyed more than I should have. lots of eye opening information. you know when you've read something a bunch of times, think you know all about it, and then someone comes with a fresh and different perspective than you? this book is like that.

[Floriane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed those 6 lessons and it made me want to reread all 3 books so good job!

[Jessica Weida · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great literary overview of three key horror classics.

[Troy Zaher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This provided some interesting insights, and was enjoyable to listen to. Although for the most part, nothing too groundbreaking

[Jennifer Wadman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid companion for literary analysis of these novels

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read these books and done the play of Jekyll and Hyde. So hearing them compared and contrasted was great for me.

[Cashie · Rating 3 out of 5]

PG-13

[E.M. Jeanmougin]

Not terrible but nothing special.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating context for stories that are so familiar. History and literature study provide a much richer understanding of this famous tales. Great listen!

[Enn Savage · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why you doing Dracula like that? That book is not boring. It’s okay if you think that, but settle down a bit on the punch down - just bc it’s boring to you doesn’t mean it’s objectively boring.

[Jeff J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The origins and significance of these horror classics.

[Liberty Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

i miss learning things

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Postmodernism is so dull and boring. I guess the one entertaining thing about postmodernists is that they still think they're apart of the counter culture. Morons.

[Jacek · Rating 5 out of 5]

An audiobook that offers fresh perspectives on each of these works, and how they reflected the issues of the times when they were written, and how they have inspired works since then.