Dracula (1897)

- Too Sensual to Ignore -

“Dracula” by Bram Stoker relays the tales of an up-and-coming realtor, Jonathan Harker, who travels from England to Transylvania to meet a client; Count Dracula. In the classic interpretation of good versus evil, Jonathan and several of his acquaintances seek out the monster that killed one of their beloved companions. Their journey is filled with superstition, which is seen within the very first chapter of Jonathan’s diary during his journey to the Count’s home; many community members warn him of the dangers that awaits, and some even beg that he returns to his home. The book fashioned a new era within the literary field alongside such works as “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley and “The strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson. It is a collection of reminiscences, transposed in diary entries, victrola recordings, and recounts of events throughout the time period. It dives into the parasitic indulgence so deftly hidden within Victorian London. There is a certain theme found in each of the novels I mentioned; the human form, when molested, may unleash a creature reeking with God’s defamation.
I would recommend this book to readers with an interest in folklore/urban legends, gothic fiction, classics, horror novels, and the victorian perception of evil. It is definitely worth picking up if you are curious about the beginnings of these kinds of books, as well. It is an excellent subject to use for a case study of the genre. ( )

[b: Dracula|17245|Dracula|Bram Stoker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1387151694s/17245.jpg|3165724] is an interesting novel, and a difficult one to fully pin down. Yes, the whole of the vampire myth seems to stem from it - in spite of it not being the first vampire novel. Yes, it can be a bit slow at times, and the characters are conventional at best. A lot of the novel now seems a cliche, but it seems so with good reason. This book was one of the firsts, if not the first. It's resounding science fiction - always at the forefront of technology for its time. It's overtly religious, pitting the good Christians against Dracula - whose very name means 'Dragon' or 'Devil.' It's blood, sex, and violence all wrapped up in an adventure detective story fitting of Stoker's contemporary [a: Arthur Conan Doyle|2448|Arthur Conan Doyle|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1495008883p2/2448.jpg]. There's a reason it has lasted so long, even if it might be a bit tired by today's standards.

Dracula is a novel full of parallels, full of symbolism, and tongue in cheek commentary about Victorian mores. It's a fascinatingly layered novel, and far more accessible than [b: Frankenstein|18490|Frankenstein|Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1381512375s/18490.jpg|4836639] due to its faster pace. I loved [b: Dracula|17245|Dracula|Bram Stoker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1387151694s/17245.jpg|3165724] from the start for how eagerly the characters sprung into action. There was pity for the monsters, yes, and a realization that there was yet something human beneath the infection in them. Nevertheless, the characters do what needs to be done, and do it gladly. They are going to hunt, to pursue, to puzzle out what clues they can. It's a far cry from Frankenstein, who was paralyzed against his own creation due to fear and guilt. Indeed, it's even a far cry from Dr. Jekyll, who can't help but succumb to the addiction that is Hyde within himself.

[b: Dracula|17245|Dracula|Bram Stoker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1387151694s/17245.jpg|3165724], while not necessarily a great book compared to more contemporary vampire novels of today, is still where it all begins. It's a much loved book for me, and one I've yet to grow tired of. If ever you want to give it a try but find it a bit dry... try listening to it. Dracula is arguably at its best when read aloud. ( )

While I liked this book, I felt like the last half of it really dragged as Van Helsing and his group of willing accomplices made arrangements to travel to finally find and rid the world of Count Dracula. The pace really bored me at some points and I think that is the reason I could put this book down over a six-week period in favor of something else. ( )

I did it, I did it! I finally read DRACULA!!! ( )

Although I am a big horror fiction reader and devour everything I can find about Vampires and Werewolves, I had never actually gotten around to reading Dracula. I am happy that I can now say I have read it, although I don't think I would read it again. I did enjoy the story and how it was written as a collection of journals and news entries.
"If ever a face meant death - if looks could kill - we saw it at that moment." ( )