The revenge has just begun. Through the ages, time is on my side.

The Count Dracula, with his enchanting and painfully idiosyncratic personality, is a nobleman, of an aristocratic and extremely powerful family, a servant of the macabre and the dark.

"Welcome to my house! Come in freely. Come with safety, and leave some of the happiness you bring."

His figure is tall, slender, hypnotic, satanically dark and capable of appalling and hair-raising deeds.

A chimerical nightmare, a bloodthirsty, bloodsucking, senseless criminal, the brother of the moonstruck moon and the tamer of wolves, insects and predators.

An overbearing, insolent and unsurpassable presence by human forces, he haunts the midnight from his abandoned and desolate Tower with the aim of extending his rule and remaining eternal... by drinking blood.

"...I heard as if from very low in the valley the howls of many wolves. The Count's eyes shone, and he said: 'Hear them, the children of the night. What music they make!' Seeing, I suppose, some expression on my face that seemed strange to him, he added, 'Ah, sir, you city dwellers cannot enter into the feeling of the hunter.'"

The sovereign of the notorious power of the Undead symbolizes the power of the dreamy identity, the transformation of the material into immaterial, as well as the absolute union of the fantastic terror with elements of reality.

His shadow covers the craggy mountains of Transylvania for ages and his footsteps are forever imprinted on the Romanian Alps.

This particular novel by the Irish writer Bram Stoker is not just a book of horror and fear, it is the epitome of the gothic literary genre.

Certainly, it is a classic, transcendent work, as immortal as the archetypal figure of Dracula that pervades it.

It is a mythical tale, a nightmarish journey with the destination being eternal spiritual condemnation and subjection to the undead creatures that delight in drinking blood and obey the sadistic instincts of the bloody leader of the earthly hell.

It was published in 1897 as an epistolary novel with diary entries of the characters who are the protagonists. Its creation took seven years. It is the result of research and study of European folk traditions and superstitions and the stories of vampires from all over the world.

Since then, it has taken the first place in the hearts of countless people as the most exciting prototype of dark horror and even sexual pleasure of vampiric prescriptions...

The Count Dracula has inspired playwrights, writers, filmmakers and directors and will continue to do so with incredible success.

The dead and rotten earth became the bed of the monster with the red eyes, the fangs and the enormous power. His satanic smile enchantingly intoxicates the victims who are left undoubtedly in their bloodletting for the pleasure of the monster that exercises an unnatural attraction of every kind. The only response of the victims is the Divine presence and help that can drive away or even exterminate the Evil.

Somehow, the Count Dracula thus acquired the meaning of the senseless and consequently the eternal mythologization.

In the face of this grandeur, one cannot stop at details and judge with logical and orthodox evaluation what the human fantasy creates and presents.

"MY DEAR,— Welcome to the Carpathians. I am anxiously expecting you. I hope you will have a good sleep tonight. Tomorrow at three o'clock the coach will leave for Bukovina; a place has been reserved for you. At the Borgo Pass my coach will be waiting to bring you. I trust that your journey from London has been a pleasant one and that your stay in my beautiful country will be enjoyable. — Your friend,"DRACULA"

2.5 stars

**This is a spoiler-filled review**







This gif sums up my thoughts about this book. Dracula is a classic that I have been meaning to read for a long time. It turns out that I have a rather mixed feeling about it. I really didn't know exactly what to rate this book. At moments, I was feeling a strong 4, at times a 3, in the second half usually a 2, and there were moments that were so dry that I wanted to rate it a 1 (or just DNF). Fortunately, I pushed through because some moments are really very good. However, unfortunately, they don't make up for the overly stale parts.

We all know this story: a dude goes to Castle Dracula, and vampires try to take over the world. The first hundred pages were really good. I loved the journey of Jonathan Harker to Castle Dracula and him slowly realizing that something is off about the Count. Everything from the very beginning where the people of the town beg him not to go and ward him against the evil eye was wonderful at setting the tone. The long ride up to the castle was also very atmospheric, though the descriptions were a bit overbearing. The moments in the Castle itself were where the book shone. Subtle things like the Count never eating, disappearing for days, etc. were fantastic foreshadowing (though of course I knew the story because it is so common in pop-culture).

Unfortunately, after Harker escapes, things went downhill. By the way, at this point, I was feeling a 4.25 star rating for this book. Next, we had the Lucy segment, which a lot of people seem to love. Personally, I felt just *good* about it. I thought it was interesting enough, but I predicted everything the first time she was described as 'pale' or when the bat appeared at her window. This time, though, I wasn't as invested because I didn't feel the same atmosphere that I was so in love with for the first 100 pages. I must say, however, that the little interlude we got about the ship coming in with the vampire was really engaging, as were all the segments with Renfield the madman, though they also disturbed me quite a bit. It was finished a bit over the halfway point, and at this point, I was contemplating anything between 3.25 to 3.75 in terms of star ratings.

Then, it went even more downhill. I just didn't care for most of the second half of the book. There were some good moments, like when Mina begs the men to kill her if she turns into a vampire, as well as (again) all the moments with Renfield. Unfortunately, the entire chase was so underwhelming, and I felt like things that were foreshadowed were suddenly undermined, so I ended up confused. The scene that stands out the most to me in this way is the scene where Mina gets hypnotized for the first time and she says that the Count is on a ship. My immediate thoughts went to the ghost ship that arrived earlier in the novel, a scene that I was quite enamored with. My thoughts were that since the Count came to Whitby on the ship, he would have the last box there... nope! It turned out he was just heading on home to Transylvania... *eyeroll* I was so disappointed, and immediately a lot of my thoughts soured. At this point, I basically decided on my rating of 2.5 (but I was still hovering over to a 3 star rating just in case I'd enjoy the ending).

The ending was not what I expected, in a bad way. We had a bunch of the team deciding how to get to the Castle in time, but I just didn't care. The writing also got very convoluted here (maybe this is just my opinion), but it made it harder for me to read. At the end, when Quincey Morris dies, I felt like it was just for shock value. He was the member of the team about whom I cared about the least (also because he had the least page time). So overall, I was just disappointed.

My final rating of 2.5 stars reflects that I believe this book does have various merits. I like the format of the epistolary text as well as the pop culture that came out of it. Despite this, I can't say I enjoyed it, when I only really enjoyed the first 1/5, felt simply good about 2/5, but really didn't like, and was heavily disappointed, about the last 2/5. Taking this all into account, I am still happy I read this, I just kind of wish it would have been something more...



*book completed as part of the January Classics challenge

Dracula, the ultimate vampire and one of the most fascinating and timeless exponents of Gothic literature. His creation, the result of integrating the folklore of Eastern Europe with the macabre historical figure of Vlad the Impaler, marked a before and after not only for its author or for horror fiction but also for culture itself. Because Stoker laid the foundation for everything we now undeniably consider vampiric, a kind of figures that don't reflect in mirrors, sleep in coffins, and fear crucifixes, sunlight, and stakes. Everything ultimately comes down to Dracula and Bram Stoker.

We are dealing with an epistolary novel whose structure consists of the gathering of letters, diary fragments, and study notes that serve to give rise to diverse points of view and a multiplicity of voices that enhance the mysticism and perverse fascination that a creature as incomprehensible, powerful, and inherently malicious as Dracula inspires. From a young lawyer who could have perished at his mercy, to innocent girls and doctors dedicated to understanding and defeating that harmful evil of unquenchable and invincible appearance.

Bram Stoker gave us the figure of the vampire that will be seared into the collective memory even of those who haven't read the novel. Yes, but the story itself is not limited to the creation of a myth. Dracula, as a novel, is a study of human passions in all their dimensions, from romantic love to unbreakable carnal passion, without leaving out the platonic but loyal friendship or the passion for understanding an intelligible world. A story about the terror not only of having our blood sucked from our necks but also of the unknown as a force in itself. Terror of loss. Of death. Of what may exist beyond it.

A novel that mercilessly and exquisitely submits its reader, that erects a terrifying universe while uncovering the man's anxieties that don't disappear but perpetuate through time and strange lands. A truly essential, transcendental, and forever relevant text.

Undead Scandal! Lord Vampire Outwitted by English School Mistress!

"Who knew that Mina Harker would be the nemesis of the great lord himself!" - Transylvanian Tattler

"There was a deliberate voluptuousness which was both thrilling and repulsive."

"I find in a high great tomb as if made to one much beloved that other fair sister which, like Jonathan I had seen to gather herself out of the atoms of the mist. She was so fair to look on, so radiantly beautiful, so exquisitely voluptuous,..."

Oh... the brides!

I'm finding this review difficult to write. It's been a long time between blood red drinks with this novel. I've read it once before, many years ago, and my response to re-reading it is to drop it from 5 stars to 4.

Stoker's writing style is an uneven mix of brilliance and tedium. His plot development ranges from magnificent to flawed. His drawing of characters is basically two dimensional and I have to search hard to find examples that provide a greater depth. (I.e. characters are either all good, or all evil, with little in the way of shades of grey. Noting that Renfield, is by his final actions, one of the few characters that shows dimensionality....)

I know some who found the beginning slow. I would disagree. I found the initial journey of Jonathan Harker to Dracula's castle and his subsequent trials and tribulations there to be brilliantly composed narrative. There is a slow and steady progression from hints to warnings to threats to manifest risk of death and worse than death enslavement of the soul to forces beyond darkness.

The visual depictions of Dracula descending the vertical walls of his castle and the spooky manifestation of Dracula's brides is effective and affective writing.

The log of the Demeter is another masterwork of the slow advance of impending doom. The hint of a threat that grows with each night as one by one the crew disappear. Until it is a ghost ship that comes to land in Whitby, Yorkshire. This is manifest brilliance.

To say that Lucy Westenra cops it in the neck would be a bit trite. Her eventual fate left me inspired to write a Haiku.

Bloofer lady prowls.
Moonlight reveals blood stained hearts.
Hammer strikes - I'm Free!

Mina Harker (the primary hero of this story as she is the one who has to confront the greatest risk and persevere beyond it) is the brains (on multiple occasions) behind the operations of the Van Helsing Vampire Hunting Club. Mina gets left behind while the boys go galavanting about Carfax looking for evidence of Vlad and when the obvious happens - no one notices. It's a raging plot flaw (i.e. Major hero gets in trouble because everyone is suddenly as thick as two short planks) I hadn't noticed this in my earlier read. I must be getting pickier about such things as I get older...

I would also like to note that Stoker's use of a psychic connection between Mina and Dracula is strikingly echoed in multiple ways by J.K. Rowling with Harry and Voldemort. I think also for the same purpose, as the psychic link is used to move the narrative forward in both Dracula and the Potter books. Is J.K. a fan of this book?

Some things I didn't like which got in the way of the telling. The use of vernacular by anyone not in the Van Helsing Vampire Hunting Club such as "'ere like tha'..." Was positively grating. Van Helsing's speech was mostly annoying for the same reason as we are asked to 'appreciate' that this learned dutchman can't speak grammatical English...

On the question of writing the whole novel in epistolary form (letters, diary notes, log books, etc). I think it works very well for this novel. However, something could be missing. What I would like to see is a great big diary written by Vlad Dracula...

The bottom line: I love the story but I don't always love how it was written. Would I recommend it? Yes. Well worth reading for those moments of brilliance that have carried this story for more than a century.

Strongly recommended (despite the 4 stars), '4 Classic Gothic Vampire Thriller stars.'

PS. For any who are interested, a neat little conversation occurred over at Castle Dracula about who would be best to cast for a new modern, faithful, adaption of this story for a big budget movie.

Friend John,

This should have been a short story! Dracula is a spooky tale that commences with Jonathan Harker, an attorney journeying to Transylvania to assist his client, Count Dracula, in purchasing a home in London. Nevertheless, Dracula's behavior is rather strange. Will Jonathan manage to escape alive?

Holy smokes! This book is incredibly B-O-R-I-N-G! It's no wonder there are numerous Dracula books and movies as almost anyone else could have done a better job! The book has an interesting format as it is told through the journals, telegrams, and letters of various characters. However, the writing style! Enormous, long, and gigantic paragraphs! Dracula reminded me of The Scarlett Letter because, despite having some interesting elements, it was overly long and drawn out. If the filler were removed, it would have made a captivating short story. "Friend John" was mentioned so many times.....

This is a book that is so poorly written that I'm confident I could pen something superior. Apparently, I'm not alone in this thought as there have been countless other versions.

2025 Reading Schedule

Jan - A Town Like Alice

Feb - Birdsong

Mar - Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere

Apr - War and Peace

May - The Woman in White

Jun - Atonement

Jul - The Shadow of the Wind

Aug - Jude the Obscure

Sep - Ulysses

Oct - Vanity Fair

Nov - A Fine Balance

Dec - Germinal

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Dracula is, without a doubt, one of the most famous horror stories and the most well-known vampire novel. Bram Stoker established the fundamental characteristics of what a vampire should be, setting the standard for all subsequent vampire writers. In fact, if tyrannical villains are an essential element of Gothic fiction, then Count Dracula is the progenitor of all Gothic villains, despite it being one of the later Gothic fiction novels. It is a stroke of genius that his presence is so powerfully felt in the novel, considering he appears in person so infrequently.

The description of Dracula's appearance is vivid and memorable. His face is strong and aquiline, with a high bridge on his thin nose and peculiarly arched nostrils. His lofty domed forehead is framed by hair that grows scantily around the temples but is profuse elsewhere. His massive eyebrows almost meet over the nose, and his bushy hair seems to curl in its abundance. The mouth, hidden beneath a heavy moustache, appears fixed and rather cruel, with peculiarly sharp white teeth that protrude over the lips. The remarkable ruddiness of his lips indicates astonishing vitality for a man of his age. His ears are pale and extremely pointed at the tops. The broad and strong chin, along with the firm yet thin cheeks, contribute to the overall effect of extraordinary pallor.
The atmosphere of the novel is undeniably Gothic. It is impossible to discuss Dracula without提及 the Gothic; the two are inextricably linked. The decaying castle where the story begins is evidence of the eeriness that follows. The "damsel in distress" motif is frequently present in Gothic literature, and it is particularly prominent in Dracula. Mina and Lucy both find themselves in distress at different points, and even Harker can be seen as a damsel at the start when he is rescued by his wife, who has a "man's brain." This subversion of traditional gender roles is quite interesting and even a bit humorous.
Upon initial inspection, the plot of the book can be briefly summarized: Dracula desires to create more vampires in Victorian London, but his attempts are foiled, and he and his kind are eradicated. However, the novel is much more than that. It represents the fears and fantasies of the Victorian era, comments on the position of women in society, and reveals their sexual desires and perhaps fears. It also suggests a struggle between modernity and science and religion and superstition. The influence of Darwinian thought on man is evident, as Dracula himself embodies the idea of "survival of the fittest." The frequent undertones of sexuality and disease symbolize the time in which the novel was written. Each of these aspects has been the subject of numerous commentaries and academic essays on Dracula.
In fact, the extrinsic value of this novel is extremely high. Bram Stoker also explores the theme of sanity with many of his characters, not just Renfield. At some point, every character questions whether their encounters with the Count are a result of a mental deficiency or a genuine paranormal experience with the villain. This creates a clash between the Victorian realism view and the paranormal events that occur in the novel. There are also issues of identity and how it is affected by transgression. The novel can further be seen as an allegory for religious redemption and a commentary on colonisation.
I think I have said enough. If I say more, I will violate my "500 words a review" rule. As you can probably tell, I am very passionate about this book. It is brilliant, and at this point, I can honestly say that Dracula is one of my all-time favorite novels. I love it so much that I might even write my dissertation on it and Gothic Literature. Dracula truly rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a classic monster tale that I have relished before, but I simply couldn't wait to return to it as the season is teeming with haunted ghouls and bloodthirsty readers!

Young solicitor Johnathan Harker embarks on a journey through the Hungarian countryside and into Romania, en route to a castle nestled in the heart of Transylvania. There, Count Dracula awaits Harker and initially presents himself as an odd, yet agreeable, host. Harker, seeking to finalize a land deal in England, engages in lengthy conversations with Dracula late into the night. However, he soon senses that there is something amiss about his host. It is only when a series of unsettling events occur that Harker realizes Count Dracula is unlike any man he has ever encountered before, and he ultimately manages to escape the confines of the castle.

Back in England, Harker's fiancée, Mina, and her close friend, Lucy, are facing their own trials. Lucy Westenra endures significant bouts of sleepwalking. The two women decide to travel to the seaside to clear their minds, but Lucy encounters someone the reader knows to be Dracula during one of her nocturnal excursions. She is eventually discovered with two tiny puncture holes on her neck. Uncertain of what to do, Westenra is sent to see Dr. Johnathan Seward, one of her suitors and the director of the local mental hospital. When Dr. Seward is unable to determine the cause of all these symptoms, he calls upon the renowned Dr. Abraham Van Helsing in Amsterdam for consultation.

The Dutchman arrives and commences his initial inquiries. He is highly intrigued, yet he cannot be entirely certain of a diagnosis at this point. Slowly, Lucy begins to fade from this mysterious neck injury and ultimately succumbs to her wounds. However, her body undergoes a transformation into a sort of vampire, mirroring some of the actions that Count Dracula is known to have committed.

Van Helsing collaborates with Seward to locate the body, and it is during this time that the Dutch doctor deduces that there is something eerie at play. After carefully studying the situation before him, Van Helsing proposes the seemingly barbaric act of driving a stake through Lucy's heart and then decapitating her, which, according to his research and ancient lore, is the only way to ensure that her spirit will be set free.

With that issue resolved, but still needing to address the larger concern at hand, Van Helsing assembles a group to hunt down the Count, who appears to have taken up residence in England, and drive him back to Transylvania. Van Helsing, lurking in the dark and gloomy regions of Eastern Europe, readies himself for the battle of his life, armed only with the most basic medicaments, in the hope of slaying this monster once and for all.

Stoker lays the foundation for a truly spine-tingling tale that has withstood the test of time. I would highly recommend this to anyone who has the courage to delve deep into the heart of a sensational 19th-century story of horror and mayhem.

I am still berating myself for waiting so long to read this sensational piece of fiction. Surely one of the early stories that has cultivated such a strong connection between Dracula and Hallowe'en, Bram Stoker's work offers the reader not only thorough entertainment but also leaves a shiver running up their spine every time they enter a dark room.

With a cast of powerful characters, Stoker weaves his narrative in such a manner that the story never loses its momentum. Harker, Seward, and Van Helsing are all expertly crafted and provide powerful contrasts throughout the tale, while Count Dracula is not only eerie in his portrayal but also one of the most terrifying villains in 19th-century literature.

There is no need for blatant descriptions of gore and slaying to reach the core of the suspense in this novel, which seems to differ from much of the writing in the genre today, where gushing blood and guts adorn the pages of every conceivable book. The narrative is also constantly evolving, greatly assisted by the journal-based writing that Stoker has employed. The reader is transported through the story via these diverse perspectives (and some press clippings), rather than a straightforward delivery of the story from a single point of view. This无疑enhances the overall package and does much to provide the reader with even more fright at certain moments.

There are undoubtedly many stories unfolding here, some of which directly address the issue at hand (namely, Dracula), while others seem to resolve themselves throughout the numerous journal entries. Whichever approach is taken, Stoker captivates the reader to such an extent that there is a强烈desire to know how it all concludes and if Van Helsing lives up to his more colloquial moniker of 'Vampire Hunter'.

I wish to add for those who prefer the audiobook approach, as I have done, the Audible version, with a full cast (including Alan Cumming, Tim Curry, and John Lee), adds yet another dimension to this story and should not be overlooked.

Kudos, Mr. Stoker, for such a captivating piece. I can only hope to find the time to read some of your other works, as well as those of your descendants, who seem eager to carry the torch and provide more Dracula for the modern reader.

Love/hate the review? An ever-expanding collection of others can be found at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

If you're on the hunt for a truly unique and captivating novel, then look no further. This remarkable piece of literature is filled with an array of extraordinary elements. Picture a world where there is a strange and eerie mist that shrouds the landscape, adding an air of mystery and uncertainty. Then there are those nosy-ass bats that seem to be constantly prying into the affairs of others.

There's also a rather peculiar "bloofer" lady, who adds an element of the supernatural and the macabre. And let's not forget the mental guy who has the rather strange habit of eating flies. It's all quite fascinating and a little bit disturbing at the same time.

Adding to the intrigue is a mysterious ship with only the captain remaining on board. What secrets does this ship hold? And then there's the blatant racism against Slovak people, which adds a thought-provoking and controversial aspect to the story.

Oh, and did I mention the Transylvanian Spider-Man? Yes, you read that correctly. He brings a whole new level of excitement and adventure to the narrative. And let's not leave out that woman from "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen", who adds her own brand of charm and allure.

Hugh Jackman makes an appearance, bringing his star power and charisma to the story. And there's a guy named Quincey who adds his own unique flavor to the mix. And to top it all off, there's lots of messing around in graveyards, which adds a touch of the spooky and the thrilling.

So, if you're a fan of the strange, the unusual, and the downright captivating, then you'll absolutely LOVE this novel. It's a wild ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

“Listen to them – the children of the night. What music they make.”

The granddaddy of all vampires. Thankfully, none of the vampires in this book sparkled, fawned over high school students, or got messed up in love triangles with werewolves. What Stoker gave us was a truly grim and gothic tale. It's about a centuries-old creature that stalked the London nights with an insatiable thirst for blood. In contrast to his portrayal in movies and TV, Stoker's Dracula was far from a romantic figure. He was not the kind to seduce women with a supernatural allure. Instead, he was the very incarnation of evil, mercilessly fixated on his victims.

It may not be a terrifying book for a modern reader, but it is undeniably haunting. It is rich in its gothic imagery, beautiful prose, and profound religious symbolism. It delves deep into the concept of infinite evil, an evil that harms the innocent for no other reason than its own malevolent will. The story unfolds through the journal and diary entries of its characters. This technique effectively introduces multiple perspectives and storylines while still maintaining a first-person perspective.

“Carmilla” remains my favorite among the classic vampire stories due to its lyrical prose and melancholy tone. However, “Dracula” is still an amazing read that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers with its dark and mysterious charm.

A classic literary masterpiece!!!

Here's an example of Stoker's remarkable writing. It is taken from Jonathan Harker's journal shortly after he was taken prisoner by Count Dracula in his castle.

"I looked out over the beautiful expanse, bathed in soft yellow moonlight till it was almost as light as day. In the soft light, the distant hills seemed to melt, and the shadows in the valleys and gorges were of velvety blackness."

And then, a drastic change occurs.

"But my feelings turned to repulsion and terror when I saw the whole man slowly emerge from the window and begin to crawl down the castle wall over that dreadful abyss, face down, with his cloak spreading out around him like great wings."

Adding to the horror,

"I saw fingers and toes grasp the corners of the stones, worn clear of the mortar by the stress of years, and by thus using every projection and inequality move downwards with considerable speed, just as a lizard moves along a wall."

Wow! Such vivid and captivating writing. I gave this five stars without hesitation. I mean, who wouldn't be impressed? It is also proudly placed on my favorites bookshelf. It is an absolute must-read for anyone who loves classic horror. It has the power to transport you into a world of terror and mystery, leaving you on the edge of your seat with every turn of the page.

I lost count of whether this was the third or fourth time I read this book and I still love it.

For the first time in my life, I read it with a time limit for my reading clubs and I suffered a bit from the monologues about how virtuous and kind Mina is because I was super behind and I was already in a hurry to move forward. Having said that, I admit that I agree: Mina is the MVP.

The atmosphere of this story is unrivaled and the way Stoker incorporated all the existing vampire folklore in the oral tradition makes this novel a classic of horror that has inspired thousands of other stories and adaptations. Wonderful.

My top moments: the massacre on the Demeter, Lucy as "the bloofer lady" and of course everything that happens to Jonathan while he is in the count's castle.

It's truly a masterpiece that continues to captivate readers with its thrilling plot, vivid characters, and spooky atmosphere. I can't wait to read it again and discover new details and nuances that I might have missed before.

"Blood is too precious a thing in these days of dishonourable peace; and the glories of the great races are as a tale that is told".

I think it's the third or fourth time I've read Dracula in my entire life. The first time was when I was very small, and I remember having quite gothic and spine-chilling nightmares. In those dreams, after fleeing along the cliff where the Count's castle is located, I found myself cornered by wolves and fog at the edge of the abyss while many bats were flying and silhouetted against the sky with the moonlight. It was such a terrifying and real sensation that I will never forget it.

Now, many, many years later, I accepted the challenge of reading Dracula in English... and what an odyssey it has been! The old English, and especially the old English of the lower-class people, was absolutely unbearable, and it was a horror for me to decipher it. But well, leaving this small hitch with the language aside, I can say that, just like all the previous times, Dracula is a novel that never ceases to amaze me.

The gothic atmosphere and tension that Bram Stoker creates is wonderful. From the first diaries of Jonathan Harker at the beginning of the book when he is trapped in the castle of this mysterious count, through the letters of Mina and Lucy, and ending with the diaries of the brave men who, risking their lives, propose as a mission to put an end to a dark and extremely powerful being in whom they did not believe before getting caught in his claws.

This is a long book that deserves a perfect and terrifying background soundtrack and that, moreover, demands to be read in the darkness of the night. Because that is the moment when, immersed in the reading as you are, the limits of the pages fade away, the ghostly fog travels through the streets, and the howl of the wolves no longer remains only in your imagination.

Bram Stoker created an iconic, demonic, twisted character who has not survived the centuries only because of his immortality but also because of his intelligence and cunning. This is the most memorable vampire in all of literature, and he has earned his place there with a pulse. If you want to embark on a journey through Transylvania, through the dark landscapes of untamed forests, through prohibited rooms, and through the deepest passions and fears of the human being, read Drácula.