Classic Vampire Story!


I'm not going to delve into a detailed backstory as everyone should be familiar with what this story is about. However, I will share a few thoughts on how the book made me feel.


Thoughts:


This was my second time reading this book. When I first read it back in 2017, I was completely captivated by the storyline and the spookiness that permeated the entire story. It was also the first book I had ever read that was presented in the form of a diary. Moreover, it was the first book I encountered with that old writing style. It took me some time to get accustomed to the way it was written, but this time, I effortlessly slipped back into the storyline.


The author, Bram Stoker, skillfully draws you into the story. The gradual and creepy buildup of what the character Jonathan Harker has to endure while staying with the Count is filled with a sense of trepidation about what will happen next. I read the book a little more slowly this time to fully absorb the events that unfold with Harker and his account of his stay in the castle.


For some reason, I was even more spooked out this time around, perhaps due to reading the book slowly. The part where the Count is climbing the wall still sends shivers down my spine. I don't really know why, but it always gives me the "heebie-jeebies". I can vividly imagine the horror that Harker must have felt as he had to deal with everything. This time, while reading the book, I was able to transport myself back to that era and become more in tune with the emotions that Harker was experiencing.


This book is undoubtedly a timeless horror classic! It is considered the great-great grandfather of all vampire books and should be read by every vampire/horror fan! I'm giving this book five "Fangtastic" stars!


Highly Recommend!


For images/gifs of this book, please visit my blog:

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Dracula appears to be one of those books that people either love or hate, but for me, it's all about love! The opening chapters alone offer some of the most captivating, suspenseful, and nail-biting moments I've ever read. It all leads up to a delightfully queer twist, with a male character taking on the role of the traditional Gothic heroine.

Jonathan Harker is a perfect fit for the damsel in distress. Locked away in a remote castle, he must navigate the overbearing personality of his captor. Dracula reminds me of Montoni from Ann Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho, especially in the way he controls Jonathan's sexual well-being. When the three weird sisters close in on an unaccompanied Jonathan, Dracula stops them at the last second, saying “This man belongs to me!” before Harker “sank down unconscious.”

Aside from Jonathan getting his chance to faint like a proper Gothic woman, this dominant dialogue can't help but have a sexual undertone. There's just something about a vampire's possessiveness, fixation on tender neck flesh, nocturnal visits, and the allure of immortality that makes them extremely hot! Some readers may see terror in these lines, but I think it's hard to deny at least some titillation at Jonathan’s situation of complete submission. After all, it's possible to have two feelings at once. Horror and eroticism may seem like polar opposites, but I think they go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Dracula’s female selections also experience this ethereal blend of terror and desire while under the vampire’s spell. Lucy sleepwalks through the midnight hour in her nightgown, meeting the “king vampire” for a moonlit tryst. Mina, the novel's surprisingly dynamic female lead, a rare gem in 19th-century literature, even goes so far as to engage in the strange perversity of sucking on Dracula’s bleeding breast. Although she claims to have been induced into such behavior by a trance, one wonders how much coercion or mental fog was involved. If we view the vampire’s bite as sexually desirable, either symbolically or literally, perhaps these creatures of the night are less monsters and more dream weavers. After all, Dracula is a convenient outlet for taboos to be explored, experienced, and excused from public shame. This might have been especially appealing to a sexually repressed 1897 audience.

Despite being the most famous and enduring vampire novel of all time, Dracula remains a must-read classic. You may not be surprised by some details since Stoker's vampire “rules” are now common knowledge, but that doesn't make the novel any less thrilling, enticing, and occasionally shocking. There are some truly gruesome moments that completely caught me off guard. Additionally, the epistolary storytelling device works well. There are many subtleties hidden in the diary entries that slowly build horror—arguably too slowly—but the effect is notably more realistic and more chilling than even the novel’s impressive reputation led me to expect. I'm so happy to finally cross this read off my bucket list!!

PS: For Stephen King fans, IT is so clearly modeled after Dracula that it's almost astonishing. Every element of this classic appears somewhere in King's book, with Dracula and Pennywise sharing many traits and the power of working together being a major theme. The way the monster controls side characters is also familiar. Renfield and Henry Bowers have a lot in common, for example, as do Mina and Bill's wife.

Okay so, it turns out that this book isn't as bad as I initially thought. In fact, I even found myself enjoying certain parts of it. However, it also had its drawbacks. The pacing was rather slow at times, and it seemed to drag on for far too long. Thankfully, the ending was quite good and managed to tie up most of the loose ends.

One aspect of the book that really bothered me was the numerous sexist remarks. It made me wonder if Stoker was simply portraying the society of his time or if he actually believed that women had lesser brains than men. I'll definitely need to read some analyses on this subject to gain a better understanding. For now, I'm inclined to think that he was just very sexist.

Despite the sexism, I did like the fact that Mina played an important and intelligent role in the story. She was a strong and capable character, and it was refreshing to see a female lead who wasn't just a damsel in distress.

I won't be writing a comprehensive review of this book. In fact, I wouldn't even call this a review. It's more like a jumble of my thoughts and opinions. The sexism and the masculine society depicted in the book really got on my nerves. Some of the comments were just too much to handle. For example, the idea that if everyone had strong blood like a certain character, America would surely prosper. What on earth does that mean?

Van Helsking's assumption that women are inferior to men and his praise of Mina's brain that is almost a match for smart men were also quite irritating. There were so many such instances throughout the book. While I sometimes chose to ignore them or even laughed at how silly they were, others really got under my skin.

Do I regret reading this book? No, I don't. I've read a lot of vampire stories, and now I can say that I've read the original. And there were some interesting parts. But the details were just overwhelming at times. I really didn't need to know about the weather every single time or every little detail about a walk. Harker's chapters were quite interesting, but Mina's were a bit slow at first.

This book had its ups and downs. There were some page-turning chapters that kept me on the edge of my seat, and then there were others that were so boring that I could hardly stay awake. It's also completely written in a diary style, which can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it gives the story a sense of immediacy and authenticity. On the other hand, it leads to a lot of repetition.

Overall, I believe that this book is better than Frankenstein, which bored me to death. But it's also quite long. My edition had 612 pages, and the writing was large. Is it worth it? That really depends on you. If you're not a fan of classics, then probably not. But if you are, then it's definitely worth a read. If you're like me and find that classics are usually hit or miss, then I suggest you read some reviews and decide accordingly.

I was truly rather disappointed by this classic.

At the beginning, it showed great promise, especially those parts related to Jonathan Harker. His experiences were quite captivating and made me eager to know more.

However, as the story progressed, all the male characters seemed to descend into blubbering worshippers of the two female characters. This transformation was rather off-putting and made the story lose some of its charm.

By the end of the novel, I was actually wishing that Dracula could just snack on all of them and be done with it. The excessive focus on the male characters' infatuation overshadowed the other aspects of the story that could have been developed more interestingly.

I found myself having to put the book aside frequently and read chapters in between other books. But somehow, I managed to finish it at last. It was a bit of a struggle, but I'm glad I completed it to have a full understanding of this classic, albeit with some disappointments.

In a certain place, I read that Bram Stoker was not the first writer to make use of the idea of vampires.

Before him, there were also writers such as "Goethe" and "Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu" who had also delved into these fictional creatures.

The character Dracula himself was inspired by a Romanian nobleman named Vlad III, also known as Vlad Dracula.

The difference that Stoker's Dracula has with other vampires lies in his way of presentation and the precise use of the element of horror.

"Dracula" is a vampire who has the ambition of ruling the entire world.

He is a tall man, with a drawn face, a hooked nose, bushy eyebrows, extremely pale skin, white and sharp teeth, and red, penetrating eyes.

He is a sophisticated man who has lived for centuries, and his extraordinary knowledge and wisdom are also the result of these long years of life and numerous experiences.

Perhaps another reason for the difference between "Dracula" and other Gothic works is that none of the demonic creatures in Gothic stories had such a goal (ruling the world) behind their actions.

In this book, we follow the story by reading letters, telegrams, and the personal documents of the characters in the book.

The character "Count Dracula" is not directly present in all parts of the book, but his shadow and darkness are felt line by line on the pages of the book.

The suspense of the story in the last few chapters is so strong that I read it with bated breath and a great deal of anxiety.

The psychological analysis of the story (the psychology of fear) and the numerous allusions to religious texts are also very noteworthy.

I absolutely adored the fact that the entire book was so richly atmospheric.

From start to finish, it managed to create a captivating and immersive environment.

The beginning and end portions were particularly enchanting, almost as if they were casting a spell on the reader.

What made it even more unique was that the entire book was written in the form of journal entries by all the major characters involved.

This gave the story a personal and intimate touch, allowing us to see into the minds and hearts of each character.

However, there was one thing that I just could not wrap my mind around, and that was the Lucy Westenra's blood transfusion episodes.

It seemed to defy logic a bit, and I found myself constantly questioning how it could be possible.

Nonetheless, it did add an element of mystery and intrigue to the story, making it all the more captivating.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling and atmospheric read.

A masterpiece, without a doubt.

I am happy to have given it a reread.

It has been more than ten years since I first read this fascinating novel, and I really didn't remember it much.

But this time, as I delved into the story again, I was completely immersed.

The author's writing style is so vivid and engaging that it brings the characters and the plot to life.

Each page turn reveals new surprises and emotions.

I found myself laughing, crying, and feeling a whole range of emotions along with the characters.

It's truly a remarkable piece of literature that has stood the test of time.

Rereading it has been a wonderful experience, and I'm sure it will continue to be a favorite of mine for many years to come.

Managed to finish this :)

It was my second time studying this particular piece, but this time it was a successful read-through.

I found that I enjoyed it much more this time around.

The main reason for this was that I actually read the last quarter or so of the book.

In my opinion, this part was the most enjoyable.

It had a certain charm and excitement that kept me engaged until the very end.

As I was reading, I could feel myself getting more and more involved in the story.

The characters came to life in my mind, and I was able to picture the scenes vividly.

Overall, it was a great reading experience, and I'm looking forward to exploring more works like this in the future.

This right here is what vampire stories are supposed to be.

Dark and sinister, with the evil lurking in the night around every corner.

This wasn't the kind of story that was overly bloody and gory. Instead, it was absolutely perfect just the way it was.

The absence of excessive blood and gore actually made it all that much more scary.

I honestly can't believe I haven't read this before now.

I'm kind of kicking myself because it's bloody brilliant.

From the moment I started reading, I was completely hooked.

The atmosphere was so well-crafted that I could almost feel the presence of the vampires in the shadows.

The characters were well-developed and the plot was full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I couldn't have possibly loved it more!

This is definitely one of the best vampire stories I've ever read and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good horror story.

I am completely submerged in a vast sea of wonders. I find myself in a state of doubt, filled with fear, and entertaining strange thoughts that I dare not even confess to my own soul.

Jonathan Harker embarks on a journey to Romania with the intention of finalizing the sale of an English home. Upon his arrival at a desolate and ruined castle, he is introduced to the enigmatic Count Dracula. What Jonathan uncovers within the walls of the castle is truly horrifying and forces him to question everything he has ever known.

Dracula is not only the quintessential gothic horror novel but also the blueprint for every vampire tale that has followed. This is my third time delving into the pages of this book, and with each new reading, I manage to discover something fresh and previously unthought-of.

At times, the story does tend to become a bit repetitious. However, it is such an astonishing and captivating story that I easily overlook this minor imperfection. This ethereal and atmospheric read, with its creeping sense of foreboding, is one of the classic works that I firmly believe everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. Even if you are not a die-hard horror fan, the underlying themes of good versus evil, as well as the contrast between modern and traditional knowledge, make Dracula well worth reading.

I alternated between reading the book on my own and listening to the audiobook from Penguin Random House Audio, which is expertly narrated by Richard E. Grant. If you are planning to listen to the audiobook, I highly recommend this particular version!

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Penguin Random House Audio for the kind gift of this copy!

**"A Review of 'Dracula'"**

"Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make." This iconic quote not only showcases Dracula's evil but also his rather strange taste in music. If the novel were set today, he might put on "Yoko Ono's Greatest Hits"! One day, I'll resist writing such stupid intros to my reviews, but today isn't that day.

"Dracula" is an incredibly frightening horror novel. Even though I knew the story in detail, it still had its moments. This review is full of spoilers, but I doubt there's much left to spoil. The Count's plan to turn all of London batty doesn't go as planned. Bram Stoker did an excellent job of creating a dark and brooding atmosphere, with some truly horrific and even erotic scenes that would have made 19th-century readers faint.

I'm surprised Stoker didn't organize the novel into three parts. The pacing is very good, and there are several memorable characters. Dracula himself is quite affable at first, but we soon see his true nature. Jonathan Harker is a bit of an idiot, especially when he's more concerned about shaving than the fact that Dracula has no reflection. Arthur Holmwood is equally slow to catch on, and even Prof Van Helsing doesn't do a great job of protecting Lucy.

The other characters are also memorable, from Renfield and his love of insects and rats to the ladies, Lucy and Mina. Stoker's portrayal of women is a bit misogynistic, but Mina is a strong and ingenious character. Overall, "Dracula" is a must-read for horror fans. It's a classic that still holds up today.

As far as I know, Stoker was a one-hit wonder, but what a hit it is! While "Frankenstein" is a beautiful and poignant novel, it's not as scary as "Dracula". I listened to the audiobook, read by Rob Goll, and his narration was excellent. There are also many film adaptations of "Dracula", but my favorite is the 1977 BBC version, which is about 90% faithful to the book and gave me the willies.

I firmly believe that this might be the very edition that I read "first and foremost". This is truly an astonishing book. I have come across reviews from those who hold different opinions and also from those who detested the format. However, the very first time I read it as a teenager, I was completely swept away by it, and this has been the case ever since.

My advice is to not be overly concerned about all the psychological burdens that have been added over the years. And please, do not mistake the movie "Bram Stoker's Dracula" for the actual plot, story, and characters within the book. It bears no resemblance to the book whatsoever, and the title has irked me ever since that movie was released. The book is infinitely better.

It is worth noting that a great deal of the psychological baggage that has been attached to this volume likely reveals more about those who attach it rather than the book itself.

This book crafts a horror atmosphere that has been continuously replicated over the years but has never quite been recaptured. You will experience along with Harker the castle and the challenges he faces there. The battles against the Count in England, and the terror of the ship's crew who transported his earth boxes across the sea, all will remain with you. Once again, I urge you that no matter how well any movie has been made, if the movie Dracula is the only one you are familiar with, you have not encountered the proto-vampire who dwells within this book. He/it still prowls through literature and even more so in the dark fears that lurk in the recesses of our minds when we are alone on a stormy night or when we have to walk past that old, dilapidated graveyard (not cemetery) where the city has never managed to install those street lights.

This is not Twilight, nor is it Buffy the Vampire Slayer. There are no friendly, helpful, or romantic vampires here. (None sparkle either) There is quite possibly a reason (or perhaps more than one) why we are so eager to laugh at this book. It accomplishes what it sets out to do extremely well, and that is to be terrifying.

This book is a classic that has endured for over a hundred years, and there is a reason for that.

"We" just read this in the Supernatural Readers group, and I still have a fondness for it. LOL