Dracula

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.

Rating:
Summary: Stoker's Dracula
Review: Bram Stoker uses the journals and letters of his characters to outline the plot and make the reader anticipate with curiosity what will happen next. Stoker also uses dialect that corresponds perfectly to the characters. He moves from the distinguished wit of the Dr. Van Helsing to the humorously ignorant tone of the minor characters and then captures the innocence and feminine dialect of Mina Harker and Lucy Westenra. Stoker describes Dracula's mansion in Transylvania with an impeccable brilliance. He explains every detail from the dark morbid corridors to the dusty banisters. When Stoker leads the reader into the character of Dracula he does so by painting a precise and horryfying image of Dracula. He captures every thing from his red eyes to his sharp pointed teeth. Dracula is an unusually evil and yet mysterious all the way through. Despite the novel being obviously fiction, Stoker keeps the reader hanging on every detail to make the novel seemingly real. In what is one of the most influential novels ever, Stoker haunts the reader with his most famous creation, Dracula.

Rating:
Summary: Started great and then sank!
Review: When the main character was in the Count's castle I had a great time! I thought, this book is great, it can only get better, boy was I wrong. It went to London, and stayed there too long, the dead woman thing dragged on way to long. I didn't even finish it. I'm willing to give it another chance latter but for now, forget it.

Rating:
Summary: Dracula--Good to the Last Drop
Review: After finishing Bram Stoker's Dracula, I was satisfied I had just read an excellent novel. Although it was a very lengthy twenty-seven chapters, I worked my way through it without a lot of difficulty comprehending the storyline. After reading Dracula, I felt the need to get up, lock the doors around the house, check the windows, and bury my head beneath the covers. Dracula has no central narrator. Instead, it brings together a number of different perspectives by combining newspaper clippings, letters, telegrams, and the diaries of various characters. Jonathan Harker, a young English lawyer, is the first character to meet Count Dracula, the novel's main villain who is a wealthy Transylvanian nobleman. The Count is also a vampire. Harker keeps a journal written in shorthand, but his entries are very meticulous, keeping exact details of what went on during the day. For example, on "3May. Bistritz.--Left Munich at 8:35 p.m. on 1st May, arriving at Vienna early next morning; should have arrived at 6:46, but train was an hour late . . ." His journals record the essential facts of his journey from Bistritz to the Borgo Pass,where he is met by Count Dracula's carriage, as well as recording the facts of his arrival and stay at thge Cast Dracula. He also records what he thinks, sees, and eats, even jotting down a couple of reminders to himself to get recipes for Mina Murray, his fiancee. From reading Harker's journal, it is clear that he is a very logical and organized thinker. He arrives in Transylvania to do some legal work for Count Dracula, but soon finds the behavior of his host threatening. Dracula casts no reflection in the mirror, and when Harker cuts himself shaving, the Count makes a lunge for his throat. Harker discovers that all the castle doors are locked, and that he is a prisoner. Dracula finishes his preparations for moving to London and departs, leaving Harker alone. The novel left me in suspense about Harker's fate as the scene shifts to England and the story of Mina Murray and Lucy Westenra is introduced. The story in the following chapters is presented through journal entries of various characters, as well as by newspaper articles and even a ship's log. Westenra, Murray's best friend, is wealthier and more flirtatious than Murray, who is a brave and resourceful young woman. Murray goes to visit Westenra in Whitby, where a mysterious ship arrives in a terrible storm, with only a dead man for crew and Dracula's fifty boxes of earth on board. There are several other strange occurrences at Whitby. Murray grows increasingly worried about Harker, who has not written her for some time, and Westenra begins to walk in her sleep. One night Westenra sleepwalks and goes outside to a spot by the sea. Murray follows and, when she arrives, she catches a glimpse of a dark figure bending over Westenra. Murray gets Westenra back to the house and notices two small puncture wounds on her throt. Over the next few days, Westenra appears to contract some kind of illness. Murray receives a letter telling her that Harker is in a Budapest hospital recovering from a "violent brain fever." She rushes to Hungary and they are married. Harker can remember nothing of his terrible experience, and I never found out how he escaped from Dracula's castle. For me, the most intriguing character is Mina Murray, or, I should say, Mina Harker, since she married Jonathan. Her concern that her best friend Lucy was sleepwalking and her attempt to follow her were admirable. The night that Lucy walked into the churchyard and sat down on the bench, Mina saw that there was a dark figure standing over Lucy. Mina tried to get a better look at the figure, and its head turned toward her, revealing red, glowing eyes. To be honest, if I were Mina in that position, I probably would have been too frightened to move from my spot and go help my best friend. But Mina is brave, and she does not want her friend to get hurt, so she gets to Lucy and the dark figure is gone. Since Lucy is only wearing her nightgown, Mina takes off her slippers and lets Lucy wear them all the way back to the house so that she does not hurt herself on the gravel in her bare feet. Like any novel, Dracula has its pros and cons. The first chapters were a little slow for a typical high school student; in other words, nothing very exciting happens. The numerous characters and the news clippings were a little confusing, but the prose style was clear, although the vocabulary was a little sophisticated and Stoker probably wrote for an adult audience. Bram Stoker's Dracula is the best novel I have ever read, and it is the only suspense novel that kept my heart pumping. At first, reading the book seemed like a "pain in the neck" with over five hundred pages to go. However, I soon discovered it was worth my time. If you've not read Dracula, order a copy as soon as you have a free moment, and then on some dark, stormy summer night, build a fire, grab a blanket, and read--every word is good to the last drop!

Rating:
Summary: Good stuff!
Review: Bram Stoker is a very talented author. He displys a variety of characters in an exciting plot. I don't think Dracula is Vlad the impaler. As the book clearly states, he's one man. The movie says differently. this book is written about an exotic place, and a elegant period of time. The book has no pique. The mystery and intrigue goes through the whole story. I could hardly put it down! It finishes clearly and doesn't leave you confused. Definetly not disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: Good, but there is better out there
Review: The book certainly has its powerful moments. But I was disappointed with the cliche writing. The characters at times risk being plastic. I am sorry there are no half stars available in the rating. I would give it a 2 and a half, rather than a 2.

Rating:
Summary: A Legend Comes Alive
Review: As a literature devotee, this novel amazes me! Not only is it a wonderful read, but to think that a person can take a legend and really bring it alive is truly something to think about. Although most movies that recreate the story of Dracula on film keep it up to date with the times, nothing is like this novel written in the 19th century! Count Dracula is introduced in the beginning of the story, as Jonathan Harker comes to realize the true horror of this man (or thing?). Through the journals of all the characters, the reader comes to understand what is going on before they do, yet we are kept in suspense throughout the whole novel. All in all, I would highly recommend this novel to anyone!

Rating:
Summary: Haemosexuality
Review: This is a fictional account of a little known psychological and physiological illness known as haemosexuality. The term haemo or hemo refers to the red blood pigment hemoglobin. The symptoms described are the archetype for the illness. Besides, this is a great book to read.