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Usborne Classics Retold
Dracula
Of the many admiring reviews Bram Stoker’s Dracula received when it first appeared in 1897, the most astute praise came from the author's mother, who wrote her son: 'It is splendid. No book since Mrs. Shelley's Frankenstein or indeed any other at all has come near yours in originality, or terror.'
143 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
August 2, 2012
I think I have something of a thing for epistolary novels. The conceit that the scenes of this book were transcribed from the characters' own personal journals, letters, and even phonograph recordings, and the mention of Mina transcribing the materials of the novel from shorthand being part of the plot were really nice touches.
There are some things which stretch credulity of this being a series of real letters and journal entries, however. Such as the idea that the characters would write down word for word quotations of various persons speaking with a heavy accent as a phonetic spelling of what the accent sounds like, in shorthand. Or the idea that Mina or Lucy, while tired and weakened from loss of blood, would be able to write some of the longer entries that they seemed to be capable of. Or that a person beset by wolves in a camp would think to be recording impressions of what the snowfall looked like in their narrative. But I like the idea in concept.
The first hundred pages of the novel were very good. I was a bit inclined to question why Harker was ignoring the somewhat blatant warning signs given to him by the people he met on the way. I mean, the moment that creepy carriage pulled up, I'd probably have turned around and gone home. But I have to keep in mind it was his first job in a new position in a conservative firm, so I could maybe see why he felt a fire under his feet, because we've all had that feeling with a new job, that we don't want to screw this up, right? Once he got there, he seemed to catch on pretty quickly that things were not right and did do a decent job at trying to escape.
Then, the part where Dracula comes to England in the middle of a storm at sea was probably the best prose in the entire book.
The second hundred pages are where the novel really starts to drag. Mina's friend Lucy is slowly being drained dry by the relocated Count, and Dr. Seward's patient Renfield seems to be suffering bouts of madness whenever his vampire master comes around. The irritating part about this section is that, while the people witnessing the odd changes in their friend/patient's behavior spend an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out what is wrong with them, we've already been informed a good deal about the voyage of Dracula, so there's no suspense for the reader about what is happening, and this section of the plot idles in place while the health of the afflicted characters gets cyclically better, then worse.
I had too many questions about this part of the plot. Why did Dracula keep coming after Lucy when Mina and the others keep making it so difficult for him to feed on her? He seems to have a his eye on few other women in town who are probably easier targets. Why, once Van Helsing comes along and recognizes the signs of a vampire attack, did he not propose to move her to someplace safer, maybe someplace far, far away from Exeter, possibly taking her ill mother with her? Even though Mina was not aware of the existence of vampires, why did she still seem to be so blasé about so many of the important, unusual details she keeps noting in her journal night after night, like, oh, say, "Why is there so often a bat that keeps flapping steadily outside of my friend's window every night while she sleepwalks over to sit with it? Isn't it weird that I saw a man leaning over her in the graveyard one night, and I caught another glimpse of him around at sunset on another occasion?"
You know, things a normal person would quickly write, "That's really weird, and maybe I should be very worried, especially since my friend is also acting weird and looks ill." I guess what I'm trying to say is watching unaware characters fail to respond for a period of time when you already know what's really going on is frustrating. And what gets me is that later on, when Mina herself starts looking pale every evening, everyone, who by this time knows very well about Dracula's true identity, is chalking it up to stress until he pretty much attacks her in front of them. :facepalm:
The action does pick up in the third act, and there are some very satisfying moments when the characters discover things and act on them, but there's also a lot of filler in the form of long exposition, repetition of information, details about stretches of travel where little important is actually happening, and so on. I admit I found myself skimming a lot through this part of the book because I was eager to get it over with at, and my paltry 2 star score reflects my impatience with the latter two-thirds of the novel.
I think I'd have liked to give the first 100 pages 4 or 5 stars, because they were definitely worth reading, with some nice prose and storytelling. For the rest of the book, I'd think reading a Cliff's Notes synopsis would do just as well, considering how verbose and drawn-out it is. I was disappointed that the storytelling did not hold up until the end, because it was quite good up to a point.
At least now I can say I've read the original vampire best-seller. Without it, we would just be up to our knees in werewolves and zombie apocalypses instead.
There are some things which stretch credulity of this being a series of real letters and journal entries, however. Such as the idea that the characters would write down word for word quotations of various persons speaking with a heavy accent as a phonetic spelling of what the accent sounds like, in shorthand. Or the idea that Mina or Lucy, while tired and weakened from loss of blood, would be able to write some of the longer entries that they seemed to be capable of. Or that a person beset by wolves in a camp would think to be recording impressions of what the snowfall looked like in their narrative. But I like the idea in concept.
The first hundred pages of the novel were very good. I was a bit inclined to question why Harker was ignoring the somewhat blatant warning signs given to him by the people he met on the way. I mean, the moment that creepy carriage pulled up, I'd probably have turned around and gone home. But I have to keep in mind it was his first job in a new position in a conservative firm, so I could maybe see why he felt a fire under his feet, because we've all had that feeling with a new job, that we don't want to screw this up, right? Once he got there, he seemed to catch on pretty quickly that things were not right and did do a decent job at trying to escape.
Then, the part where Dracula comes to England in the middle of a storm at sea was probably the best prose in the entire book.
The second hundred pages are where the novel really starts to drag. Mina's friend Lucy is slowly being drained dry by the relocated Count, and Dr. Seward's patient Renfield seems to be suffering bouts of madness whenever his vampire master comes around. The irritating part about this section is that, while the people witnessing the odd changes in their friend/patient's behavior spend an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out what is wrong with them, we've already been informed a good deal about the voyage of Dracula, so there's no suspense for the reader about what is happening, and this section of the plot idles in place while the health of the afflicted characters gets cyclically better, then worse.
I had too many questions about this part of the plot. Why did Dracula keep coming after Lucy when Mina and the others keep making it so difficult for him to feed on her? He seems to have a his eye on few other women in town who are probably easier targets. Why, once Van Helsing comes along and recognizes the signs of a vampire attack, did he not propose to move her to someplace safer, maybe someplace far, far away from Exeter, possibly taking her ill mother with her? Even though Mina was not aware of the existence of vampires, why did she still seem to be so blasé about so many of the important, unusual details she keeps noting in her journal night after night, like, oh, say, "Why is there so often a bat that keeps flapping steadily outside of my friend's window every night while she sleepwalks over to sit with it? Isn't it weird that I saw a man leaning over her in the graveyard one night, and I caught another glimpse of him around at sunset on another occasion?"
You know, things a normal person would quickly write, "That's really weird, and maybe I should be very worried, especially since my friend is also acting weird and looks ill." I guess what I'm trying to say is watching unaware characters fail to respond for a period of time when you already know what's really going on is frustrating. And what gets me is that later on, when Mina herself starts looking pale every evening, everyone, who by this time knows very well about Dracula's true identity, is chalking it up to stress until he pretty much attacks her in front of them. :facepalm:
The action does pick up in the third act, and there are some very satisfying moments when the characters discover things and act on them, but there's also a lot of filler in the form of long exposition, repetition of information, details about stretches of travel where little important is actually happening, and so on. I admit I found myself skimming a lot through this part of the book because I was eager to get it over with at, and my paltry 2 star score reflects my impatience with the latter two-thirds of the novel.
I think I'd have liked to give the first 100 pages 4 or 5 stars, because they were definitely worth reading, with some nice prose and storytelling. For the rest of the book, I'd think reading a Cliff's Notes synopsis would do just as well, considering how verbose and drawn-out it is. I was disappointed that the storytelling did not hold up until the end, because it was quite good up to a point.
At least now I can say I've read the original vampire best-seller. Without it, we would just be up to our knees in werewolves and zombie apocalypses instead.
July 30, 2012
Bram Stoker's Dracula is a literary genius. It is dark, has romance, an underlying love-story, is layered, much better than the tweenage vampire novels of today. It takes guts to read.
Although, some say the style of the writer is a bit hard to follow, I think it suits the storyline as is. For the story is hard to follow and has layers of information that can only be discerned by reading and re-reading. A HP style of adventurous writing would certainly do it no justice.
Bram Stoker's Dracula is a definite recommendation to anyone who is interested in dark-mythical love story and is willing to stay awake the whole night without blinking the eye.
Although, some say the style of the writer is a bit hard to follow, I think it suits the storyline as is. For the story is hard to follow and has layers of information that can only be discerned by reading and re-reading. A HP style of adventurous writing would certainly do it no justice.
Bram Stoker's Dracula is a definite recommendation to anyone who is interested in dark-mythical love story and is willing to stay awake the whole night without blinking the eye.
August 12, 2012
Que dominio de la tensión. Para entrar en el libro y darles de bofetadas gritando ¡Pero que no veis que se está sorbiendo a Mina!
June 11, 2012
I'm sorry if I cheated a bit because I didn't entirely read it, but rather listened to audiobooks and radio dramas, due to my busy schedule, I can't read entirely even if I wanted to.
Let me just provide a short review of this masterpiece; it's wonderful.
It is rather unappreciated because vampires, today, are seen as rather lethal, perfect and sexy (*coughs* Edward Cullen *coughs* Salvatore Brothers *coughs* the guys from True Blood), opposed to Bram Stoker's who is dangerous and hair-raisingly scary.
First off: I love Jonathan Harker. His ambitions made him come far-off, being a solicitor and all, but he's weak against what his body wants. If you remember how he was seduced for the key, you'll know what I mean.
I didn't see much of relevance to Mr. Drinkwater, he appeared to me as if he's a clairvoyant or just a lunatic, which is understandable because he does live in an asylum.
I adore Lucy, but I hate Mina so much. Lucy's so sweet but depressed, and yet Mina calls her shallow and attention-seeker.
Moving on, this story is sensational! Apart from the radio drama's amazing adaptation of the story, this is more believable than anything.
Gothic house-hunting? Check.
Death by stake through the heart? Check.
Sunlight which can burn vampires? Check.
Coffins as bed? Check.
Body possession? Check.
Amazing plot? Check.
Good characters? Check.
There is so much I want to say, but I cannot express it into words. I love it so much, I listened to it again.
Let me just provide a short review of this masterpiece; it's wonderful.
It is rather unappreciated because vampires, today, are seen as rather lethal, perfect and sexy (*coughs* Edward Cullen *coughs* Salvatore Brothers *coughs* the guys from True Blood), opposed to Bram Stoker's who is dangerous and hair-raisingly scary.
First off: I love Jonathan Harker. His ambitions made him come far-off, being a solicitor and all, but he's weak against what his body wants. If you remember how he was seduced for the key, you'll know what I mean.
I didn't see much of relevance to Mr. Drinkwater, he appeared to me as if he's a clairvoyant or just a lunatic, which is understandable because he does live in an asylum.
I adore Lucy, but I hate Mina so much. Lucy's so sweet but depressed, and yet Mina calls her shallow and attention-seeker.
Moving on, this story is sensational! Apart from the radio drama's amazing adaptation of the story, this is more believable than anything.
Gothic house-hunting? Check.
Death by stake through the heart? Check.
Sunlight which can burn vampires? Check.
Coffins as bed? Check.
Body possession? Check.
Amazing plot? Check.
Good characters? Check.
There is so much I want to say, but I cannot express it into words. I love it so much, I listened to it again.
November 13, 2013
I read this book years ago, and picked it up again the other day. I'm so glad I did. It's better than I remembered. All of the characters in the group of Dracula hunters are endearing and well developed. Jonathan and Mina became particularly dear to me. I was very invested in seeing this group succeed in their mission. I was pleasantly surprised at how suspenseful the chase scene was. This book was well written and very entertaining from start to finish.
February 7, 2020
Herwerking van het oorspronkelijke Dracula-verhaal, gericht op kinderen/jongeren.
Het lag hier in huis rond te slingeren voor m'n dochter, en ik was wel eens benieuwd om - los van alle films - de oorspronkelijke verhaallijn te ontdekken.
Als boekje voor volwassenen zeker geen drie sterren, maar naar jongeren toe wel leuk, vermoed ik.
Wel leuk dat er in de inleiding aangegeven wordt waarom net dit vampierenboek historisch gezien succes kende.
Het lag hier in huis rond te slingeren voor m'n dochter, en ik was wel eens benieuwd om - los van alle films - de oorspronkelijke verhaallijn te ontdekken.
Als boekje voor volwassenen zeker geen drie sterren, maar naar jongeren toe wel leuk, vermoed ik.
Wel leuk dat er in de inleiding aangegeven wordt waarom net dit vampierenboek historisch gezien succes kende.
March 22, 2020
this was incredibly boring to a point where I started skipping passages towards the end of the book
August 15, 2012
If I were to divide the book into three parts – the Beginning (B), the Middle (M), and the End (E) –and rate them separately, I would give out five stars to B and E, and three stars to M; hence the overall rating of four stars. The lower rating for M isn’t as much a reflection of a weak writing on the part of Bram Stoker, but more to do with the irrelevance of the backdrop of the section, inter alia, science, technology and geography of London, to many of the modern audience. I can only imagine how a contemporaneous reader in the Victorian England would have been fascinated by the use of phonograph in the novel, as well as how he would have been enthralled by the adventures that take place in the familiar settings of the city of London and English countryside. Unfortunately, I found the section too tedious and long-winded. With this in mind, I can say that the B section of the book is as good as it gets and “worth the admission price” on its own, and capable of transcending both time and geography to be enjoyed by modern readers more that 100 years after the book was written.
October 2, 2012
I think dracula is a okay book. it has some good things and bad things about it. in the book,, i like the action it has when Jonathan Harker escape from Count Dracula house in Transylvania. I also like what happened to Lucy and how they had to kill her, because she had turned into a vampire and killing the children in the village. the books writing was okay, i didnt like the slang that one of the characters ahd when getting the interview about the wolf escaping the zoo. it was like i didnt want to read it, because of the slang. i think the novel could've improved by cutting some of things in the reading, To me it just keep going on, and get boring to read until it gets to a good part. If they made this change i think the boo would be better to read and it would gte higher rating from me. In, general Dracula is a good book from the beginning when Mr. Harker was held prisoner and escaped. To when Lucy got sick and died, but she became a vampire and they had to cop her head off, and put a steak through her heart. Also the end of the story when they killed dracule and saved Mina from becoming a vampire. #smitheng
May 15, 2012
Book Review- Dracula
Dracula, written by Bran Stoker is a fantastic book full of mysteries and scary moments that I’m sure many people will enjoyed massively.
Jonathan Harker is a lawyer and travels to an inn in Transylvania. After a few days at the inn, he receives a letter from Count Dracula to come to his castle. When Jonathan meets Dracula, he finds him very peculiar and strange and finds even stranger things through the night of staying at Castle Dracula. He then realizes that Dracula has held him prisoner in the castle and has to fight his way out to escape this nightmare.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to creep themselves out and books full of mysteries and horror. But if you get nightmares easily and scared, this book may not be for you.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly but would recommend this book for people 12 years and up.
Dracula, written by Bran Stoker is a fantastic book full of mysteries and scary moments that I’m sure many people will enjoyed massively.
Jonathan Harker is a lawyer and travels to an inn in Transylvania. After a few days at the inn, he receives a letter from Count Dracula to come to his castle. When Jonathan meets Dracula, he finds him very peculiar and strange and finds even stranger things through the night of staying at Castle Dracula. He then realizes that Dracula has held him prisoner in the castle and has to fight his way out to escape this nightmare.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to creep themselves out and books full of mysteries and horror. But if you get nightmares easily and scared, this book may not be for you.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly but would recommend this book for people 12 years and up.
August 5, 2012
I am not usually a horror genre reader. However, I was curious about the original Dracula book. This book definitely distressed me, but it also kept me captivated. It was filled with suspense literally (haha) from start to finish. The writing was well done, definitely not like most of the horror garbage filling the bookshelves. If you enjoy that type of book, I think this is a must-read for you. If you don't, I would still consider recommending it. Supernatural or not, it was a good book.
January 10, 2013
I listened to the free audio version on Librivox and really enjoyed it. It was actually much better than I expected it to be.
December 9, 2019
Absolutely begging other reviewers to realise that this is an abridged version for children and that they should not be reviewing Bram Stoker's original novel on this page.
Anyway, I absolutely loved this as a kid. I carried it around with me everywhere for a time because I loved the illustrations so much, and I remember being genuinely frightened, especially when Jonathan was trapped in Dracula's castle.
Anyway, I absolutely loved this as a kid. I carried it around with me everywhere for a time because I loved the illustrations so much, and I remember being genuinely frightened, especially when Jonathan was trapped in Dracula's castle.
January 8, 2022
I read this to my grandsons (8 & 10).They really enjoyed it and it was fun to share the story with them. They read classics with their dad and he left this one to read with them. A different choice for a grandma, but heck, we read together.
February 3, 2023
3'5/5⭐
October 22, 2023
i honestly thought this was a good retelling as i found myself laughing at how oddly comedic it was,, the rats in the castle and the men overreacting may be the highlight of my annotations !!
July 7, 2024
3.50 stars
September 17, 2021
This is a mild version of Dracula, retold by Mike Stocks, which still gives me goosebumps LOL!
I have watched numerous Dracula's and Van Helsing's movies, though it may be gory and scary at times, I have never expected reading a Usborne Classics Retold version would be a frightening experience. I kept getting chills and goosebumps, half expecting something to jump out of nowhere! Imagine that, it is just a novella for young readers!
"Truthful retellings of classic stories, clearly written in a modern, approachable style for young readers. Include informative notes on the authors and original texts."
It is well retold in a informative and easy to understand manner about a lawyer's encounter of a vampire in Transylvania which led to him to be gravely ill and lost contact with his fiancee in London. Mina, his fiancee, finally received a letter from a hospital in Budapest informing her of Jonathan's ill health to which she quickly travelled to looking for him. She was shocked to see his poor condition and slowly nurse him to good health. He has given his journal of his encounter for Mina to read and understand what has happened to him but she has kept it instead. They got married and returned to London. One day while on a stroll, Jonathan was shocked to see the vampire prying on a innocent girl. Upon learning this, Mina decided to read Jonathan's journal and together they embarked on a journey to seek and destroy the vampire.
I'm glad to have finally read this, although short, it isn't a sweet one LOL! It did give me scary goosebumps especially towards the end and I liked that ending. At least it has a ''happy ever after'' one :-) The overall story was mildly retold yet with chilly effects. It slightly deviates from the movie versions I've watched and I'm unsure of the true, original one from Bram Stoker. I've never read it which I think I never will in the future too, my fragile heart can't take it LOL!!! Anyway, this retold was well written and definitely suitable for the young readers.
I have watched numerous Dracula's and Van Helsing's movies, though it may be gory and scary at times, I have never expected reading a Usborne Classics Retold version would be a frightening experience. I kept getting chills and goosebumps, half expecting something to jump out of nowhere! Imagine that, it is just a novella for young readers!
"Truthful retellings of classic stories, clearly written in a modern, approachable style for young readers. Include informative notes on the authors and original texts."
It is well retold in a informative and easy to understand manner about a lawyer's encounter of a vampire in Transylvania which led to him to be gravely ill and lost contact with his fiancee in London. Mina, his fiancee, finally received a letter from a hospital in Budapest informing her of Jonathan's ill health to which she quickly travelled to looking for him. She was shocked to see his poor condition and slowly nurse him to good health. He has given his journal of his encounter for Mina to read and understand what has happened to him but she has kept it instead. They got married and returned to London. One day while on a stroll, Jonathan was shocked to see the vampire prying on a innocent girl. Upon learning this, Mina decided to read Jonathan's journal and together they embarked on a journey to seek and destroy the vampire.
I'm glad to have finally read this, although short, it isn't a sweet one LOL! It did give me scary goosebumps especially towards the end and I liked that ending. At least it has a ''happy ever after'' one :-) The overall story was mildly retold yet with chilly effects. It slightly deviates from the movie versions I've watched and I'm unsure of the true, original one from Bram Stoker. I've never read it which I think I never will in the future too, my fragile heart can't take it LOL!!! Anyway, this retold was well written and definitely suitable for the young readers.
February 9, 2013
This book kept my interest. The first part with Johnathon and the count rated a 5. Then parts of it off and on were interesting. I had read this was a story between good and evil and I guess it was. The real count Dracula was far more scarey than these vampire-so called- And at least the vampires were evil, not good as many books now make them. There are such things as real vampires and there is some truth here with these, but how they worked in the book was not in actuality how they live. Crucifixes, garlic, stakes driven through are superstitious nonsense though this is a work of fiction so I guess I may be too hard on the story. At certain points in the reading I wanted to quit. I also had trouble keeping tract of which character we were hearing from. I found it silly that signs the vampire was taking blood especially in the last scene when he entered someone's room were not noticed. One of the female characters was not allowed to be involved in the drama then suddenly she is let in. She may get hurt, but then ignore her until she was almost dead like her friend. After that she can be involved? Since it is a classic volume, I cannot say super much against it though. Evil was evil and good was good which makes for a superb story. Dracula may have not been a vampire per say as like portrayed here, but he did eat his victims blood which a true vampire in any age does and he did drive stakes through massive amounts of people when he had the whim as a sport. Were Crucifixes and Garlic invoked with him in reality also since he was the ones doing the stake driving not the other way around? Maybe he was actually a baptized member in a certain religious organization that are into one of these objects and that use and claim to drink blood in their rituals. Loved the book was long, loved the classic language. Maybe I just never caught it, but the most annoying part was, how did Johnathon get away?
July 31, 2012
This book is a very chilling story about a Count;s Client named Johnathon Harker. Harker must travel to Transylvania where the count lives. Johnathon is married to his wife Mina. When Johnathon goes to Transylvania, he learns something very gruesome about the Count. The count is a vampire that has been killing many people,and Johnathon needs to find a way to kill him. Harker then travels to many diffrent places and befriends many diffrent people. His new friends include Dr. Van Helsing, Morris and Quincy. One day, The Count decides to leave his castle on a bloody killing spree. When he leaves, his castle becomes a very important tool that Johnathon and friends use to their advantage. Before the Count had left, he knew of his attackers being near, but what he did not know was the secret plan that they had come up with. While the count is away on his trip, the adventurous risk takers sneak in to the castle. They look in all parts of the castle for any items that they may be able to use to defeat the evil vampire. They know that vampires are weakened by sunlight, garlic, and crosses. The hatch a plan to make the count's castle smell entirely of garlic. Johnathon also already wears a cross that will also be used to their advantage. While searching the castle, they find a crucifix. This crucifix is the item that ultimately causes the count's downfall and death. When the count returns, the group waits until he goes to bed. Then, they stab the count with the crucifix. At first, he doesn't die, so then while he is stunned from the blow of the crucifix, they use the garlic and cross to stun him longer, and even are smart enough to open his curtains to let all the sunlight pour into his room. They continue to pound the crucifix in to Dracula's heart, and then Dracula dies, allowing the heroes to escape back to their homes.
October 8, 2012
The novel was based on the journals and the letters between the characters, it wasn't as good as I expceted it to be.. I thought it would be more darker and deeper, there was some missing details when it came on covering the mystery I wanted to know more about, and the style of writing was dull in some parts of the story ..
I enjoyed the begenning, because it contained that missing piece which is more of Count Dracula..
As for the charcters I was completley disappointed that there wasn't much details about Count dracula, it was the most interesting of all, though there was a preview of him at the begenning of the novel that's why I liked it the most, somehow I wished that there was a journal of him as well as the others had, I wanted to know what was his perspective and his own story, I didn't get that.. and I know it was hidden to keep the mystery held, but I still didn't like this .. The same would be of Ms.Lucy Westenra.
I found the charcters of Mina Harker and Dr.Van Helsing the most intelligent and again I wanted to know more of the charecters perspectives, I liked the parts when I was reading Dr.Seward's Diaries it contained more of Dr.Van Helsing than of him, and I found the character of the patient Renfiled very interesting.
The end was completely dull and hasty, It's like the whole novel was about the mystery and then BAM dracula is gone and evrerthing was fine...
The bottom line I didn't quite enjoy it, 'cause it wasn't enough and what I expected to read.
I enjoyed the begenning, because it contained that missing piece which is more of Count Dracula..
As for the charcters I was completley disappointed that there wasn't much details about Count dracula, it was the most interesting of all, though there was a preview of him at the begenning of the novel that's why I liked it the most, somehow I wished that there was a journal of him as well as the others had, I wanted to know what was his perspective and his own story, I didn't get that.. and I know it was hidden to keep the mystery held, but I still didn't like this .. The same would be of Ms.Lucy Westenra.
I found the charcters of Mina Harker and Dr.Van Helsing the most intelligent and again I wanted to know more of the charecters perspectives, I liked the parts when I was reading Dr.Seward's Diaries it contained more of Dr.Van Helsing than of him, and I found the character of the patient Renfiled very interesting.
The end was completely dull and hasty, It's like the whole novel was about the mystery and then BAM dracula is gone and evrerthing was fine...
The bottom line I didn't quite enjoy it, 'cause it wasn't enough and what I expected to read.
September 7, 2012
Review by Mohammad Saif
I was greatly disappointed when I read Dracula. Before placing my hands on the book, I have always fantasized that I am going to read a great classic that can rival H.P. Lovecraft's short stories. A great classic that is considered the mother of the Vampire Fiction genre.
However, only the first 4 chapters are truly captivating; in which one of the main protagonists goes to Dracula's castle in Transylvania. After that, the novel becomes boring and underdeveloped. The events aren't ordered chronologically. Add to that, the ' Pall Mall Gazzette Clippings' about the escaped wolf were written in a narrative style, not in a formal type that suites a newspaper article. The so-called article was written in a first-person style and so informally that it got me mad.
Yet the most thing that unhinged me were the protagonists. The heroes and heroines were so heroic, noble, fair, gallant, brave, handsome and beautiful in a way that is certainly unbelievable. Moreover, when the characters are talking about everyday things they give a full lecture instead of a few words. For example, when Mina Harker was bitten, Professor Van Helsing, instead of saying " it is okay, Mrs. Harker", gave a saint's sermon on God's will and other nonsense.
All in all, the book is totally disappointing for a book that gave birth to a full genre.
I was greatly disappointed when I read Dracula. Before placing my hands on the book, I have always fantasized that I am going to read a great classic that can rival H.P. Lovecraft's short stories. A great classic that is considered the mother of the Vampire Fiction genre.
However, only the first 4 chapters are truly captivating; in which one of the main protagonists goes to Dracula's castle in Transylvania. After that, the novel becomes boring and underdeveloped. The events aren't ordered chronologically. Add to that, the ' Pall Mall Gazzette Clippings' about the escaped wolf were written in a narrative style, not in a formal type that suites a newspaper article. The so-called article was written in a first-person style and so informally that it got me mad.
Yet the most thing that unhinged me were the protagonists. The heroes and heroines were so heroic, noble, fair, gallant, brave, handsome and beautiful in a way that is certainly unbelievable. Moreover, when the characters are talking about everyday things they give a full lecture instead of a few words. For example, when Mina Harker was bitten, Professor Van Helsing, instead of saying " it is okay, Mrs. Harker", gave a saint's sermon on God's will and other nonsense.
All in all, the book is totally disappointing for a book that gave birth to a full genre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2012
Few books in history have suffered from so many bad adaptions, on scene and stage. Stoker did not invent the idea of the vampire, which had existed, in Europe, for many centuries, but he gave the idea an unforgettable personality who is so much much interesting that the one dimensional character he is often portrayed as. The novel is told through letters and journals which each recount very recent events. This gives us a variety of perspectives the screen never could and, at times a wonderful immediacy.
Traditional films show Count Dracula as unremittingly evil and the vampire hunter Professor Abraham Van Helsing as good and heroic. No one reading the book could see it as simple as that. Van Helsing is a very dark and domineering character. He with,horrifying certainty, demands that the body of the recently dead Lucy Westenra is decapitated and insists the man who loved her, and has suffered deep trauma, after visiting the count, assists him in the grisly task.
The power of the novel lies in it being a story which gradually draws in and envelopes the mind of the reader. It takes a little longer to get into than many modern novels but it is worth it. The darkness is not always where we might expect it to be. However the novel ultimately puts the supernatural where it belongs, in fiction.
Worth several rereads.
Traditional films show Count Dracula as unremittingly evil and the vampire hunter Professor Abraham Van Helsing as good and heroic. No one reading the book could see it as simple as that. Van Helsing is a very dark and domineering character. He with,horrifying certainty, demands that the body of the recently dead Lucy Westenra is decapitated and insists the man who loved her, and has suffered deep trauma, after visiting the count, assists him in the grisly task.
The power of the novel lies in it being a story which gradually draws in and envelopes the mind of the reader. It takes a little longer to get into than many modern novels but it is worth it. The darkness is not always where we might expect it to be. However the novel ultimately puts the supernatural where it belongs, in fiction.
Worth several rereads.
June 28, 2014
A chilling tale of Gothic horror.... Dracula left me at the edge of my seat, so-to-speak. The book is littered with spine-chilling moments, such as when Dracula lands in Whitby in a fog during a storm, the captain tied to the wheel of the ship with his own crucifix so that the King-Vampire would not touch him; or the scene at the cemetery, when the four men come to confront Lucy--that scene was a heart-racer, I tell you.
The characters are very well-written, especially Professor Van Helsing. On looking at the Professor, one can see a fathering, nurturing man; a strong rock and leader in times of great adversity. He becomes the guide and voice of reason for the Company of Light as they embark on their quest to rid the world of the demonic Dracula. Renfield is also a very interesting, well-written character. The reader sees his struggle and the conflict within him. He is a poor pawn of the Count, and try as he might, he could never get away from his grasp. Near the end of his life, he redeems himself but at such a great price.
There are other good characters in Stoker's novel like Jonathan and Mina Harker.
A truly great classic that everyone should read, this book is better than Twilight.
The characters are very well-written, especially Professor Van Helsing. On looking at the Professor, one can see a fathering, nurturing man; a strong rock and leader in times of great adversity. He becomes the guide and voice of reason for the Company of Light as they embark on their quest to rid the world of the demonic Dracula. Renfield is also a very interesting, well-written character. The reader sees his struggle and the conflict within him. He is a poor pawn of the Count, and try as he might, he could never get away from his grasp. Near the end of his life, he redeems himself but at such a great price.
There are other good characters in Stoker's novel like Jonathan and Mina Harker.
A truly great classic that everyone should read, this book is better than Twilight.
October 8, 2012
The main character was Count Dracula an old vampire and Transylvania nobleman and lives high in a Crumbling castle in the Carpathian Mountains. Another important character is Van Helsing which is a Dutch professor and is described as a Philosopher and a Metaphysician, but is also the best scientist in his day. A third important character is Jonathan Harker and he is a solicitor or Lawyer in a real state transaction with Dracula and barely escapes the castle of Dracula. The story Dracula by Bram Stoker was shocking and fearsome. One of the things that had happen in the beginning was when lawyer Jonathan Harker enters Castle Dracula with a welcoming remarkable hand shake. Later Lucy is shocked when she hasn't heard from Jonathan after a month making that ruing her wedding plans. Van Helsing then tells Dr. Seward to stay with Lucy for the night which then is informed wrong and turns into a werewolf that night. Lucy is then diagnosed with a illness which then Van Helsing then does a blood transfusion and then feels a lot better. I recommend the book Dracula By Bram Stoker as your next reading book because it shows scary parts and is shocking.
July 9, 2012
I began to read Dracula, by Bram Stoker, because it was on my Mom's kindle app. I downloaded the app and began reading it. Dracula is about a group of friends who go across Europe from country to country hunting down a blood thirsty vampire by the name of Count Dracula. Dracula emphasizes the theme of friendship the most. Throughout the story, friendship is used to hold the group together through the terrible and gruesome parts of their journey. This book has opened my awareness to the background story of vampires. I have always known the basic ideas about vampires, but Dracula has explained more such as vampires don't posses the victim until the victim has already died. My only downside to this book is, like most classic books, the vocabulary is a little over my head. Also, like this review, transitions are very dull and boring. Sometimes they are even nonexistant. Overall, Dracula was an intriguing book full of mystery and suspense and is an absolute must read for any vampire fanatic.
December 14, 2013
Dracula is an amazingly suspenseful book the deeper and deeper you read into it. The details and the amount of effort placed into the journal entries of the characters really shows a variety of points-of-view, allowing the reader to see the reactions of both the victims and the hunters.
The story plunges the reader headfirst into a trip to Transylvania, where one of the main characters, Jonathan Harker, is held prisoner by Count Dracula on a business trip. However, when he returns home to London, he finds that the Count has made plans of his own to visit London and begin converting others to vampires. This sends Harker, his wife, and acquaintances to hunt down and kill the monster.
Reading this story gives many of the sources of common vampire myths, such as the absence of a reflection in a mirror, the use of garlic, and the idea of using a wooden stake to kill them. The story builds up until the last few pages, where all loose ends are amazingly tied up. Bram Stoker has proved his mastery of storytelling, and Dracula definitely belongs in the list of must-read classics.
The story plunges the reader headfirst into a trip to Transylvania, where one of the main characters, Jonathan Harker, is held prisoner by Count Dracula on a business trip. However, when he returns home to London, he finds that the Count has made plans of his own to visit London and begin converting others to vampires. This sends Harker, his wife, and acquaintances to hunt down and kill the monster.
Reading this story gives many of the sources of common vampire myths, such as the absence of a reflection in a mirror, the use of garlic, and the idea of using a wooden stake to kill them. The story builds up until the last few pages, where all loose ends are amazingly tied up. Bram Stoker has proved his mastery of storytelling, and Dracula definitely belongs in the list of must-read classics.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2015
This was an e-book adaptation of Dracula, and was written as a story for children. It gave readers the option of reading on their own, reading to themselves, or the option of auto reading. The e-book was structured like a picturebook with images that helped to tell the story. However, there were no features that prompted readers to change the page and did not explain how to change and navigate the pages which makes it difficult for readers to efficiently read the story. It also provided written text that readers could follow but did not highlight word for word, instead it highlighted whole sentences. It also provided a narrator that read slowly and changed his voice when reading character dialogue. It also allowed readers to replay the page if they wanted to. There was also a page for parents and provided a reading level chart and explained in detail the different reading levels. I believe children will not really enjoy this book because there are not very many opportunities for children to interact with the story which may make children eventually lose interest in the story.
November 20, 2012
For such an old book, this was really quite good. I started reading this right before Halloween, but may goodness was it a long book!
I really enjoyed the way it was written in the form of diary entries and told from different perspectives.
A must read if you're a fan of the vampire genre as this is what started it all. Just ease yourself into the Victorian era first, because I don't think this book is nearly as scary to 21st century readers.
Fun fact? How do you kill a vampire? Well, you probably know a few from books or TV already? But how do you kill one of Bram Stoker's vampires? Why, drive a stake through his hear, cut of his head, AND shove its mouth full of garlic, that's how!
Okay, so one classic down for one holiday. Perhaps this year I'll finally read Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol" as well.
I really enjoyed the way it was written in the form of diary entries and told from different perspectives.
A must read if you're a fan of the vampire genre as this is what started it all. Just ease yourself into the Victorian era first, because I don't think this book is nearly as scary to 21st century readers.
Fun fact? How do you kill a vampire? Well, you probably know a few from books or TV already? But how do you kill one of Bram Stoker's vampires? Why, drive a stake through his hear, cut of his head, AND shove its mouth full of garlic, that's how!
Okay, so one classic down for one holiday. Perhaps this year I'll finally read Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol" as well.
July 29, 2012
This COULD have been an amazing book, but the sudden changes in style and pace from reading Jonathan Harker's diary to Mina/Lucy's correspondence or the accounts of others in the story was too much for me to properly enjoy. I like the notion of gaining multiple viewpoints and telling the story through different eyes, I even give credit to Bram Stoker for how well he managed to write in-character for several different characters in the novel. How distinct these characters were and how convincing Stoker was in writing on their behalf in the form of diaries and correspondence did add several more layers of realism and horror to an already scary tale, but the break in pace made the rhythm too irregular for me.
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