Dracula

Rating:
Summary: Ol' Drac Ain't Like He Used To Be
Review: It is interesting to read the original literary versions of tales that have had a long reign in popular culture and have spawned many updates and adaptations. You can see that the tale of the original Count Dracula has evolved greatly in movies and books since the bad guy first appeared in Bram Stoker's book more than a century ago. (For an even better example of this process, read Mary Shelley's original Frankenstein novel sometime - the monster will amaze you.) Of course some aspects of the Dracula story have been corrupted over time. For example, most of the story does not take place in Transylvania, Renfield is not Dracula's butler, and Van Helsing is an aging intellectual rather than a swashbuckling monster-slayer. And most of all, the course of this original story pretty much eliminates the need for any of the multitudes of sequels that Stoker's original creation has inspired. Regardless, it is always a treat to go back to the source, as Stoker expertly made use of vampire folklore as it stood at the time, while drawing inspiration for the Dracula character from the real-life genocidal maniac Vlad the Impaler.

Be prepared to read a book that is a product of the writing style of the late 19th century. Stoker's language is dense and a bit slow moving, with words like "stertorious" and "zoophagy." The dialogue is very laborious, with characters speechifying in dramatic and gigantic verse that could hardly come from people in the midst of tense situations. Stoker used the unusual method of presenting the narrative mostly in the form of diary entries by the major characters, which stretches the limits of credulity. These people apparently finished up each day of valiantly warring against vampires with two hours of writing with excruciating detail in their diaries, then started each day reading each other's diaries before embarking on another perilous mission. But if you can stomach the rather stiff Victorian writing methods and the enormous monologues, you'll see why this book is an immortal classic for the ages. [~doomsdayer520~]

Rating:
Summary: Dracula: A Classic for a Reason!
Review: Everybody knows the usual tales of vampires and the supernatural. Or, at least, they thought they did. Dracula, by Bram Stoker, is a collection of many accounts of the presence of vampires, and specifically, the infamous Count Dracula. The story starts out with Jonathan Harker, a solicitor journeying to sell Dracula a bit of property. An innocent representative of all that is good in the world, Jonathan soon finds out that he is in great danger. He says, "The castle is a veritable prison, and I am a veritable prisoner! (37). The Count Dracula, who seemed so polite, is truly quite frightening and is planning out Harker's death as he stays in the castle. Jonathan realizes he must escape or die trying.

The story switches from Harker's diary to the journal of Dr. Steward, who works at an asylum near Carfax, the estate that Dracula bought. He tells of his patient Renfield, who is almost certainly insane. Steward also becomes involved with the illness of his former love, Lucy, who is a good friend of Mina Murray (Harker's fiancée). Steward calls upon Van Helsing, his former teacher to assist in the healing of Lucy. After leaving Lucy unattended for a night, she is found to have a turn for the worse, and was thought by Van Helsing to have lost immense quantities of blood via two red marks on the throat. With Lucy's health quickly waning, Mina's fears about her husband's queer manner increasing, and the constant escape of Renfield to Carfax, there is no doubt that all these paradoxes can be related to the one and only Count Dracula.

The strength in personality of every one of the characters is what makes this book a vital read. From Dracula to Mina, each character has a unique personality that shows itself thought their writings and actions. Dracula, who is described by Harker as being unusually and reassuringly polite, is doing so to hide his evil. Mina is an independent woman who is intelligent and can think for herself. Another strong character is Van Helsing. He is a very stern and mysterious man, though he will at times show his emotions. Dr. Seward notes, "Then when his face grew grave and stern, again I asked him why his mirth, and why at such a time. His reply was in a way characteristic of him, for it was logical and forceful and mysterious" (209).

Another strong point of the novel was that one was never without suspense, even throughout the whole 450 pages. The book proves an excellent example of the literary device of a "cliffhanger," for at the end of some of the accounts, the reader is forced to read on to discover the end. When Lucy says, "Goodbye, dear Arthur, if I should not survive this night!" (175) and Van Helsing says, "We can do nothing as yet. Wait and see" (195), the peak of my interests was reached. If that does not so obviously and commandingly tell you to read on, then I don't know what will!

Though this is a quality read, man is not perfect, and neither is this book. The only thing I thought could be improved was that some of the newspaper clippings included in the beginning of the book could have been omitted. In a letter from Quincey Morris to Arthur Holmwood, Quincey says, "Won't you let this be at my camp-fire tonight?" (78). They are simply planning a get together, and it seems as if it has no relation to the other suspenseful action that is going on.

In addition, the book started out a bit slow. When Harker started his journal, I was worried that the book was going to be a hard and boring read. With simple and somewhat trivial information, Jonathan began, "Left Munich at 8:35 p.m. on 1st May, arriving at Vienna early next morning; should have arrived at 6:45, but train was an hour late." (7). These first words of such as classical book were a bit disappointing by my standards. Though I am sure novels are so often hard to get going, such a writer as Bram Stoker should have been able to come up with a better first impression.

With such a book as this, I am completely willing to give up all critic remarks. Dracula is not a classic without reason, but a beautifully literary depiction of personality, fear, love, thrill, and intelligence. This novel is a must-read for anyone and everyone who appreciates literature and entertainment.


Rating:
Summary: Believe it or not...
Review: PHONOGRAPH DIARY
SPOKEN BY VAN HELSING
November 8 - Ooh...for long time during my old age he remain yonder, as Friend Quincey would say, but now he swell up at thought of Madam Lucy and Madam Mina together. He...Mein Gott! I did not realize I was recording!
This is the story of couragious men, woman with man-brain, and undead with child-brain. From Transylvania to London and back on ship, our heroes traverse much to rid the world of unabiding evil, a most fractious beast. However, I stop now, though my impulse tells me to disclose more, I tell him no.

Rating:
Summary: FUN
Review: Dracula is fun to read. It is intense for young children, but if a child is made to know it is just a "story" and not real, he should enjoy it with no harm done.

It is not and does not pretend to be great literature. But it is easy to read.

Rating:
Summary: Form to Content: The author's use of journal entries
Review: Bram Stoker creates a personal feel between the novel and the reader by the use of journal entries. Everything read by the reader is from one of the characters personal point of view. This is interesting because of the fact that Lucy writes in her journal and is being visited by Dracula. It helps the reader because they are able to see two sides to the story: those being visited by Dracula and those witnessing the effects. The reader is also able to discover the feeling that the character undergoes while being visited by Dracula which draws the reader into the story further, since they can almost be there at that particular moment and realize what is going on and how it feels. This particular form point, however, has its draw backs. The novel jumps from one persons point of view and experiences to another in an instant which makes the read not so simple, but more focused. It seems as if the novel is switching everything in one sentence which can make the read tedious. On the other hand, the structure does make the novel more interesting in the essence that the reader is able to explore which character they sympathize with most and which character they would like to be while reading the novel. The reader can choose to focus on the investigator, the lover, the businessman who stayed in Dracula's castle, or the oblivious women who is visited by Dracula at night. The author did a wonderful job at piecing the entries together the way he did and by capturing the reader with his interesting choice of structure in his novel. Overall, the novel is better in its entirety due to this use of structure.

Rating:
Summary: So you think you know this book?
Review: Ah, "Dracula". Is there a single book in the English language the more people know better? Well, actually, yes, because the truth of the matter is people who think they KNOW everything there is to know about the story probably have never read the book cover to cover. I realized this about half way in. So much our culture "knows" about vampires and Dracula having nothing to with the text of the book, but originate from Hollywood.

There's not a whole lot of reason to go into the plot too heavily. The basics have been done more or less in the movies: English real estate agent goes to Transylvania to sell a house in England to a mysterious count, Dracula. Dracula is a vampire, intent on finding new blood abroad. What follows is a mostly terrifying (but occasionally slow and dull) battle between good and evil, modernity and superstition, and faith vs. magic.

However, "Dracula" is nowhere near a perfect novel. Bram Stoker, much like his contemporaries, tended to overwrite. In some instances, this approach works, particularly in Jonathan Harker's experiences in Castle Dracula. Here, Stoker is able to convey to the reader (even those familiar with the story from the films) Harker's genuine confusion and horror as Dracula's behavior quickly shifts between cordial and terrifyingly violent. The encounter over the mirror which doesn't reflect Dracula's reflection, Harker's near attack by the count's bride (and the surprising erotic overtones), the feeding on infants, and Harker's discovery of Dracula in his coffin, blood on his lips, as he lays "like some filthy leech" are vividly drawn and thoroughly frightening.

Other excellent moments include the log of the ship Dracula arrives on (pasted, inexplicably into Mina Harker's journal). The desperation of the captain as his crew is picked off by some monster is truly haunting.

Also memorable is the character of Renfield, the lunatic who somehow Dracula reaches out to. His need to eat his way up the food chain is darkly humourous and grotesque.

Sadly, not everything about the novel is this well done. Abraham Van Helsing is a Dutch character. Stoker wildly overwrote his speech patterns and accent. Consequently, he often seems to be more comedy relief than the wise leader of the band of hunters (definitely an improvement in the films). Likewise, Quincey Morris, a Texan, often flirts with stereotype, but Stoker is able to keep the character serious, if not terribly well developed (which is probably why Quincey has only appeared in one or two films, despite his pivotal role in Dracula's demise). The various group meetings to discuss a plan of action and exchange knowledge often take on the quality of a superficial prayer meeting.

What amazed me was how much we take for granted about the Dracula-myth was NOT borne out by the novel. Dracula seems comfortable wandering out in the daylight without bursting into flame.

Still, on the whole Stoker succeeds. The novel is a rewarding one, and, despite its age, actually offers some genuine chills. If it's not perfect (which it's not), it virtues greatly outshine its flaws.

Rating:
Summary: It's Dracula! How Can You Not Give It 5 Stars?
Review: This was the first Bram Stoker work I had read. I read it a few years ago and try to read it every year around Halloween. I had not really been exposed to works written in the form of letters and journals. I liked the style!

Of course the Francis Ford Copolla movie version closely follows the book, but not completely. For those who are too lazy to read the book, you'll like the movie.

Rating:
Summary: The King Of All Vampire Stories!
Review: From early childhood I have been both fascinated and terrified by vampire stories. I have an uncle to thank for this fear and for many a nightmare too. I would sit on his lap, whenever he visited, and beg him to tell me of Count Dracula's latest crimes, perpetrating evil against the people of the world. I even went so far, with my vampire obsession, as to ask my parents for a crucifix, to protect me against vampires. Since we're Jewish this presented a major problem, until my mother told me the Star of David would repel Dracula as well as a cross. I probably watched every film made about vampires and read several books on the topic, including romance novels where the vampire is the hero. So it is astounding that I never picked up Bram Stoker's "Dracula" until last week. Yes, I knew the novel existed...but I kept putting off reading it. WOW!! What a great book!! It's the mother of all vampire stories with Count Dracula as king! It is the quintessential gothic story of suspense and horror, and beautifully written. I am awed and so glad that I finally read the book.

This is not the 1st novel about vampires. Three 19th-century works of fiction preceded Stoker's novel. "Dracula," however, is a kind of allegory which presents a vision of evil personified in the Count, and goodness portrayed by those who thwart him. The story is set in Victorian England, where the centuries-old, bloodthirsty monster, who preys upon beautiful, innocent victims, represents the dark underbelly of the moralistic Victorian society. The characters are very well developed and are severely tested in their zeal to rid the world of the vampire. The novel is narrated by their different voices. Through journals, diaries, letters, newspaper clippings, the reader is introduced, firsthand, to these principal characters, all antagonists of the vampire, Dracula. Telling the tale from different perspectives is an effective tool for understanding the people who play such important roles and allowing for more nuanced characters and plot development.

Stoker's vampire is based on the 15th century Wallacian warrior, Prince Vlad Dracule. The author visited Romania and Hungary to read original historic manuscripts and to research local lore in order to write this book.

A young solicitor, Jonathan Harker, leaves his beloved fiancee, Mina, to travel to a remote area in the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania. He makes the trip at the behest of a new client, Count Dracula, who purchased an estate in England and wants Harker's small law firm to represent him in matters of real estate, shipping and finance. Harker experiences unimaginable horrors at Dracula's castle and is fortunate to escape with his life.

Meanwhile, Dracula travels to London, setting up multiple households with coffins in each, where he may sleep during the day and escape the sunlight, so lethal to vampires. Lucy Westenra, a close friend to Jonathan's fiancee, Mina, falls victim to Dracula's bloodlust. Her illness and subsequent death bring into the picture her own fiance, two other men who admired her and Professor Van Helsing, an expert in vampires. The presence of evil looms, pervasive and sinister, over the entire tale, creating an oppressive ambiance.

Author Stoker's writing is superb; his descriptions of landscapes and people are extraordinary, even haunting at times. The plot is gripping, which is extraordinary as most everyone knows how things will turn-out in the end. I am extremely impressed by the novel and highly recommended it.
JANA