Dracula

Rating:
Summary: A classic that still holds it own
Review: Unlike several other classic novels I have read, I actaully enjoyed this book just for it's own merits. A well thought out book of Dracula's quest for new lands and those who oppose him (though not for humanity but for their own wants). Stoker was well ahead of his time in the telling of this story. The use of journals, memos, etc. not only tells the story but is a great way to develop characters, their perceptions, thinking, personal views, etc. Just an amazing simple but powerful idea that is hard to follow even to this day. A different way to read something, but still enjoyable. And unlike most horror books, Stoker shows Dracula's power by implying, not really showing. Dracula creates fogs, changes forms, climbs spider-like down walls, etc, but does little in confrontations, he runs, showing his fears dispite his power. Some of the concepts were well thought out too, like the weak minded (insane) being throlls to evil powers and the taking of innocence/blood leading to damnation. Cool. I also liked that even though it an older book, it doesn't suffer (much) from over dramatization that is normally associated with older stuff, it's fairly fast paced and enjoyable and well worth reading.

It's a shame to see such a great book turned into so many bad movies.

Rating:
Summary: Beware of These Tapes: They Don't Work
Review: These tapes employ a technology that may not work in your machines. They require a balance dial on your tape player. None of my recently-bought machines have this dial and so the tapes are just junk to me.

Rating:
Summary: Great Gothic fun
Review: This novel has a special charm to it, due to the legendary character of Dracula, and its claim to "originality" in the interpretation of the myth. Of course, this novel has had an enormous influence in subsequent reinterpretations, in literature and cinema. The first part is the creepiest, the story of Jonathan Harker's tribulations at the mysterious castle of Dracula, in Transylvania. That was really great. The rest of the story, which happens in England (except the finale) is also creepy and enigmatic, with a different flavor: the Victorian idiosyncracy and the tightening plot are very good, even though I understand those who complain about Lucy's story being long and somewhat repetitive.

Of course, the best thing about the book is the literary technique: the fragments of diaries, the letters and newspaper clippings add much to the mystery. Also, this narrative techinque allows for variety of points of view and sources of information, which round it up pretty well. The tone and athmospheres are successively creepy and hysterical, creating a tense and dark environment.

Even if it has some flaws, "Dracula" should be considered a great novel. The entertainment it provides is exciting, and its influence makes it transcendental. Besides, it's always cool to go to the "original" source of a myth.

Rating:
Summary: Oh, brilliant--but flawed
Review: Oh...my...God. This book is BRILLIANT. I can't put it into words. i'm only about 13, but it really was easy to understand. I just love renfeilds speech in his cell. "Rats...Rats...RATS! Thousands....MILLIONS OF RATS!!!" it was creepy. The only thing I don't like is the whole "Lucy" Shinanigan. I took almost half the novel. I got really bored here, but i still needed to know what happened next--! The beggining of the book (First four chapters) is my favorite part. I Love DRACULA (The Book, not the charecter :-))!!!!

Rating:
Summary: I'm not sure how I felt about this novel.
Review: The one thing that I really liked about this novel was the format it was written in. The story is told through the characters journals, memos, letters, etc. I also think this novel was ahead of its time, but the novel was lacking something that I can't quite put my finger on. I would like to say the novel dragged, but I'm not sure that it did. I think the whole story of Lucy, and what happened to her lasted too long. It was more than half of the novel, and she was the only focus, and I did not find it rather exciting. Everything seemed too long and drawn out, and Stoker's attempt to keep me guessing left me bored and uninspired. I kept turning the pages because I wanted to finish the book. I also felt the love story between Mina and Jonathan was boring. Jonathan was overly sensitive, and Mina seemed to wear the pants between the both of them. During the novel, not much was said about Dracula. He was just the villian who appeared out of nowhere to hunt Jonathan, and the gang. If history on Dracula was provided, the novel would have had a better feel. Overall this is a book you should read because it is the basis for most vampire themes. While watching the movie the Lost Boys last week, I found the history through that movie was centered on this book. Dracula is not a page turner, but more of a history lesson on the beginning of our obsession with Vampires, and creatures of the night. Do not look to read this book with the thought that you will not be able to put it down.

Rating:
Summary: Suspenseful
Review: I enjoyed reading this book. This was such a different take on the character of Dracula himself. I really did not know much about this version of Dracula. I guess I was accustomed to the Dracula we see represented in movies, but this book presented a different light of him. Positives include the great description of how Dracula "influenced" his victims. How people were affected by what was happening to their friends and family. I enjoyed reading how the Professor and the Doctor tried to analyze Dracula and all the incidents.

Two things I thought were minor negatives: One is that it was written in a journal format - several characters wrote journal entries to present the story and it was exciting to read them. But how can you expect people, after they've been through harrowing experiences and seeing their loved ones harmed, write every darn detail of that day into a journal? Maybe they were all very sharp and had great memories, but I could not expect them to capture every minute detail. I think Stoker should have included bits of story from a narrative perspective or at least makes these entries a bit more realistic. Also, this story is very very dramatic - maybe too dramatic. Obviously when it involves people and their loved ones, it is expected. The language is beautiful and deeply personal - I just thought it was overdone in spots.

But I recommend this to anyone who wants to read a suspenseful tale. This is not a horror story, but it's an overall fun book to read.

Rating:
Summary: Bram's greatest book
Review: Bram Stoker has created a wonderful epistolory novel. Dracula is perhaps the greatest book ever written. Bram has a talent for writing stories that send chills down your spine. Dracula is the only book that actually made me close the TV to read. I couldn't put the book down for a moment. I would recommend everyone to read this book. It has a wonderful storyline that doesn't bore you for a minute and always keeps in suspense. I can guarantee that readers of this book will not even skip over one word. This is a very long book, yet I wish it were longer.

The story is about a man named Jonathan Harker, who meets with Dracula, but soon realizes Dracula's devilish ways. Later on, Jonathan and a cast of friends go on a quest to kill Dracula before he can get away. The entire book is written as the journal entries and letters of Jonathan, Mina Harker, Dr. Seward, and others. This style of writing gives a new way of reading that is sure to please you. This book is a must buy. If there was any higher than 5 stars, I would have given Dracula that. Don't miss out on this one of a kind book.

Rating:
Summary: A classic, but there are other classics
Review: Dracula by Bram Stoker is a classic novel of the 19th century. There is no question about that. Anyone investigating 19th century Western literature or who has a keen interest in disturbing fiction should read this novel. Indeed, Freudian, Darwinist, Niethzean, and Socialist forces were changing the West in the 1800's, and Stoker effectively uses them to frighten the reader. However, Amazon.Com wasn't convenient in the 19th century; it wasn't around. Similarly, what scared middle class Britons in the 19th century just isn't disturbing any longer. So if you want to read a disturbing fiction to be truly disturbed, avoid this. If you want to read a classic 19th century novel, read something by Dickens. Avoid this novel unless you have an acute interest in specifically reading it.

Rating:
Summary: Dracula
Review: Bram Stoker's Dracula is a novel of epic proportions and ingenious wit is displayed through, Stoker's vivid details and own creative efforts. Stoker enters the plot through the journal of Jonathan Harker, and narrarates the entire story through the journals and letters of the other characters. The stamina which is sustained in his novel is also worthy of noting. Stoker keeps the reader's attention from beginning to end. In the beginning he does it with his descriptive details of Count Dracula's castle in Transylvania. He describes everything from the dark morbid corridors to the dusty banisters. Stoker does not hesitate in describing his characters with the same infallibility. He talks of the Count in such a way that the reader can not help but remember afterward. Stoker captures every detail from Dracula's sharp pointed teeth to his eyes that glow red with evil. More towards the end, Stoker starts to have the reader anticipate with fear what will happen next and then become thrilled with excitement without even a shadow of disappointment when "next" does happen. In using the journals of his characters as form of narration, Stoker again triumphs. The journal format gives the reader an insight that the characters do not recieve until late in the novel. That very insight, helps foreshadow and intensify the drama of the events that follow each journal entry. Stoker also uses the journals to give the reader more than one pair of eyes to see the novel through. Stoker does so brilliantly, capturing everything from the distinguished wit of Professor, to the humorously ignorance of the minor characters, and then the innocence and femine views of Mina Harker and Lucy Westenra. In conclusion Stoker's masterpiece Dracula is carefully etched and equally haunting.

Rating:
Summary: Dracula
Review: In Bram Stoker's Dracula, Stoker leads the reader into the plot through the journals and letters of his characters. Stoker uses dialect that corresponds with the changing narrators perfectly. Stoker moves from the distinguished wit of Dr.Van Helsing to the humorously ignorant minor characters, and then captures the innocent and feminine dialect of Mina Harker and Lucy Westenra flawlessly. In what would normally seem to fictional and outrageous to enjoy, Stoker has the reader hanging on every detail to make his novel seemingly real. Stoker describes Count Dracula's mansion in Transylvania brilliantly. He etches every detail from the dark morbid corridors to the dusty banisters. The complex and mysterious character of Dracula is described with the same care as the mansion. He explains everything from his red with evil glowing eyes to his hauntingly sharp and pointed teeth. Dracula is one of the most influential horrors, and written in 1897, it has well endured the test of time remaining the most celebrated of horrors.