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Summary: Dracula
Review: Dracula is an excellent and classic book written in the form of journal entries, letters, telegrams, etc. It chronicles the main characters and their experiences with Count Dracula and their fight to save their cities and loved ones from the terror of vampires. Althoug the story is pretty predictable, it is often frightening and really thrillingly described. The characters are real, easily likable (or dislikable) This was one of the first books I've read for English class that I've been excited to continue!
Rating:
Summary: Dracula
Review: Bram Stoker brought to life the horrid story of Dracula. He takes you into an evil tail of a centuries old bloodsucking family, creatures possessing powers great enough to bring even the most viscous of creatures to there knees with the raising of one hand, and who's only reason for existence is to seek out its human prey and drain the life out of it. The fear of Count Dracula will become your own, trapped inside his castle with no escape from an apparently eternal creature, vulnerable to his every move, and knowing that you might have just unleashed his horror upon not just yourself, but the whole city of London!
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Summary: A work of brooding genius
Review: Of the many possible angles from which to respond to the book, two stand out in particular for me. Firstly, the style of characterization is quite effective. Stoker uses a classical device of epic fantasy, which is to unite diverse characters in an epic quest of earthshaking importance (Tolkien would use it some years later when he created the Fellowship of the Ring charged with the responsibility of destroying the evil ring). These characters form a band that has a remarkable chemistry and complementarity, especially since the team is made up of some familiar stereotypes. For instance, the elderly Van Helsing is the prototype strong hero, whose knowledge, charisma and strength of character are the emotional and psychological anchor for the other characters (and the reader) throughout the ordeals of the book. He is the Count's most formidable enemy, and provides unspoken reassurance for a modern audience that science, knowledge, discipline and courage are effective antidotes against fears of the dark and the supernatural. Secondly, the gender relations and sexual themes of Stoker's book are an interesting avenue to explore, having attracted the diverse opinions and guesses of Stoker's literary critics. There are wild theories about Stoker's necrophilia or sexual dysfunctionality which come from overly imaginative readings of his text, but then there is no smoke without fire. There are a few striking features of his portrayal of men and women. The men are always gallant and chivalrous, to the point of unnatural stiffness, and the women almost always virtuous and almost Victorian. However, Dracula and his bloodsucking appetites appear to have a dangerously seductive aspect, and it seems that his female victims cannot resist him. It is particularly disturbing that, as the book nears its ending, one of his victims (Mina Harker, the virtuous wife of Jonathan Harker) seems to feel a strange and intimate emotional connection to the Count, one that transcends her moral judgment and the physical distance between vampire and victim. There is rich material for the Freudian literary critic here. All in all, Dracula is an intriguing story, a product of a dark and brooding imagination which nonetheless maintains a steadfast faith in the power of science, of human courage against adversity, of common love and friendship, of spiritual faith, of man's unremitting fight against the forces of evil. The moral and theological dualities peppered throughout the text grip the conscience as well as the imagination.
Rating:
Summary: A work of brooding genius
Review: Of the many possible angles from which to respond to the book, two stand out in particular to this reader. Firstly, the style of characterization is quite effective. Stoker uses a classical device of epic fantasy, which is to unite diverse characters in an epic quest of earthshaking importance (Tolkien would use it some years later when he created the Fellowship of the Ring charged with the responsibility of destroying the evil ring). These characters form a band that has a remarkable chemistry and complementarity, especially since the team is made up of some familiar stereotypes. Van Helsing is the prototype strong hero, whose knowledge, charisma and strength of character are the emotional and psychological anchor for the other characters (and the reader) throughout the ordeals of the book. He is the Count's most formidable enemy, and provides unspoken reassurance for a modern audience that science, knowledge, discipline and courage are effective antidotes against fears of the dark and the supernatural. Secondly, the gender relations and sexual themes of Stoker's book are an interesting avenue to explore, having attracted the diverse opinions and guesses of Stoker's literary critics. There are wild theories about Stoker's necrophilia or sexual dysfunctionality which come from overly imaginative readings of his text, but then there is no smoke without fire. There are a few striking features of his portrayal of men and women. The men are always gallant and chivalrous, to the point of unnatural stiffness, and the women almost always virtuous and almost Victorian. However, Dracula and his bloodsucking appetites appear to have a dangerously seductive aspect, and it seems that his female victims cannot resist him. It is particularly disturbing that, as the book nears its ending, one of his victims (Mina Harker, the virtuous wife of Jonathan Harker) seems to feel a strange and intimate emotional connection to the Count, one that transcends her moral judgment and the physical distance between vampire and victim. There is rich material for the Freudian literary critic here. All in all, Dracula is an intriguing story, a product of a dark and brooding imagination which nonetheless maintains a steadfast faith in the power of science, of human courage against adversity, of common love and friendship, of man's unremitting fight against the forces of evil. The moral and theological dualisms constantly suggested throughout the text grip the conscience as well as the imagination.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I read Dracula as a book for my ISU project in english and it was really an amazing book. I am in Grade 11 and this novel was something that i had a hard time putting down. Once you get into the book you can't put it down.
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Summary: The Quintessential Horror Tale, And Entertaining As Well!
Review: I harbored more than a little skepticism when entering into this book after being disappointed by another "classic" horror novel--and perhaps the more critically acclaimed one at that--The Turn of the Screw. Screw failed to evoke any facet of terror because it was so deeply enshrouded in a language that naturally dulled the simplicity inherent in fear. Fortunately, Bram Stoker's classic, Dracula does not fall pray to a similarly unfortunate characteristic, and maintains a far more interesting and worthwhile story as well. Perhaps the part of Stoker's novel that cannot be praised enough, is the ubiquitous presence of evil, without it being directly recorded. It becomes almost a crash course in symbolism, to discover the events as they coincide with the gradual effects of Dracula's presence in London. What Stoker does is a lot similar--and far more effective in its respective medium--to what was achieved in the Blair Witch Project. We see subtle effects and character responses that all point to the villain, but the villain is always just beyond reach, never quite tangible, and more the frightening because of it. In this way, the novel instantly propels itself to one of the greatest horror novels of all time. Through thunderstorms, howling wolves, and a host of other events, we are given the hint of our nemesis, without the more vulnerable and less frightening physical individual. Moreover, there are the directly observable effects that come under the futile attention of the main characters. In my opinion, the novel reaches its climax of storytelling with the tale of Lucy Westenra, a purely superb encounter with the gaining effects of vampirism. It is truly the high point in the novel, as the tension rises amongst the characters and the gruesome postmortem effects are so vividly revealed to the reader, implying with more than a little emphasis that the condition can transform even the purest of creatures into a foul monster. It is the most horrifying, most engrossing, most intense, and ultimately most engaging portion of the story, uniting the reader with the urgency of the situation. As Lucy's story seems to be the high point of the novel, there is an unfortunate descension in pace following the cessation of her tale. This is nitpicking at best, but a concern that does--though mildly--affect the novel. A lot--too much--time is spent in preparation of a climax that occurs too quickly, and so the audience is bored by the length of unnecessarily long debate and then disappointed by an abrupt finale. But, recall, this is nitpicking at best. What lies within is one of the greatest--perhaps the greatest--horror novels of all time, and one that has defined the genre for the century since its publication. It should be the basis for all fans of macabre, gothic literature, as it stands as, perhaps, the greatest example, written in a superb manner that transfers the narration without being clumsy, and thus uniting the reader with the intense frustrations, struggles, and fears of a multitude of characters. Aside from being a feat of literary form, there is a genuinely splendid tale to be had from this, which develops over several, distinct acts that are united to create a well-written novel. In short, this is the quintessential horror novel that no fan should miss. It uses the far more effective literary devices of yore to establish the mystery and terror that modern fiction is so quick to neglect. To top it all, it's one of the most entertaining books ever written.
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Summary: Hollywood Has Yet To Do This Book Justice.
Review: Throughout my life, I have seen so many adaptations of this book on films, and enjoyed many of them. I'm not much of a reader, and only recently began to buy books because I have so few. This was due to Bill O'Reilly book 'The O'Reilly Factor.' He pointed out in his book that there are countless people he knows that have so few books in their homes. Well, this inspired me to go back out and buy some classic novels. I always knew that novels imitate life and vice versa. I bought this book because I already enjoyed the countless films of it. But was I amazed at how intriguing this story is and the format in which it is told. The theme between life and death, friend and foe, love and hate, good and evil religion and science, fable and fact, fear and hope; is so consistent throughout. Each account, i.e. entry, adds to the substance of how fragile life is and how honoring it is to be a small fraction of the whole. Existence is the key and morality is the door, how we conduct ourselves determines our fate and the fate of others. Bram Stoker's Dracula is a masterpiece. The facts and fiction play off one another so well, and style chosen to tell the story, is by far the most unique book out there. While reading this book, I often pictured the main characters like those in the original movie Star Wars. What I meaning is, how fate brings them together and they in turn unite to bring down the wrath of their opponents for the sake of good. To resolve the suffering from the evil that has been inflicted on others and risking it all to the very end. To say that Dracula is a horror novel, to me, is further from the truth. Dracula is a romantic action/adventure with gothic undertones. I feel that Stoker used this to tell a tale about good vs evil, and to stand apart from the countless other tales. But this is my opinion; and I see so much beauty and meaning written in Dracula, and may never again be able to thoroughly enjoy Hollywood's interpretation of it.
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Summary: The Reveiw of ''Dracula'' (...)
Review: Dracula is no doubt the very best book that I have ever read.Dracula is kind of a horror book.It is about this man went to this place called Castle Dracula on a bussiness trip.Dracula was going to mve to London.He came over on a boat.During this trip all of the crew men were dieing.WellI won't ruin the story for you.You should really read this book.It has a great beginning and ending.I was addicted to this book the very first page and I'm sure you will be to.
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Summary: So much more than I expected
Review: I did not realize when I picked up this book that it was written as an epistolary novel - that is, in journals and letters, etc. I was so unexpectedly impressed with how brilliantly this novel was written that I have (almost) tried my hand at this forgotten genre myself. Although I believe the last third of the book is somewhat anticlimactic and disappointing, the story and the characters are so brilliant (the first seventy pages had my hair standing on end) that I will forgive Mr. Stoker that small incongruity. Dr. Seward and his "pet lunatic" are as fascinating a sub-plot as any I have ever read. Very, very highly recommended, especially for those like me who are rarely impressed.
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Summary: The one and only
Review: Stoker's "Dracula" is the book that served as the foundation of the vampire legend that has since spread through the whole of western society. Written as a series of letters and journal entries in a quaint Victorian style, Stoker's work is heavily reminiscent of other authors of that time period, including Doyle and Poe. The vampire mythology that has sprung up over the last century has has greatly revamped the powers and weaknesses of Stoker's monster, the core remains. The dreaded Count Dracula leaves his Romanian castle to come to London, to search for the fresh blood he desires to quench his insatiable lust. A group of Englishmen must uncover the nature of the beast in order to destroy it and protect their loves. While the book seems somewhat more lengthy and wordy than need be, and its vampire seems almost tame in comparison to modern versions, it still serves as a great reminder how this all began.
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