Book Review: Bram Stoker's Dracula
I can't believe I had never read Dracula by Bram Stoker before, especially given that I hold a degree in English. Since it was a free book for my Kindle, I decided to give it a try. Wow!
In Dracula, Count Dracula of Transylvania seeks to "invade" England and makes arrangements to purchase homes there for his blood-sucking vampire business. The count is a reclusive and sneaky fellow, having been around for centuries. He never eats food, sleeps during the day, controls wolves and bats and "initiates" others to join him in his adventures.
Jonathan Harker, his fiance Mina Murray, her friend Lucy Westenra and her fiance Arthur Holmwood, Professor Abraham Van Helsing, Dr. John Seward and Quincey Morris join forces to destroy the malevolent vampire. Also a prominent character is Renfeld, an insane patient of Seward's who exhibits some really strange symptoms and appears to be tied to Dracula somehow.
The book is presented as diary entries and letters by different characters and in newspaper clippings but is very easy to read. The archaic language is at times enjoyable and in others, tends to go on a little much, but I loved Bram Stoker's Dracula. The suspense was palpable and riveting. It was a nice change from the more modern vampire stories of today.
Have you ever read Bram Stoker's "Dracula?"
Although there are many from which to choose, two of the more popular movie versions of the story are Nosferatu, a scary silent film released in 1922 and Bram Stoker's Dracula from 1992. Today's Twilight books and movies (although I love them) and TV shows like True Blood and Vampire Diaries bear little resemblance to Dracula and I think are designed to appeal to a more modern and a younger audience.
Whatever the case, check out Bram Stoker's Dracula. You may be surprised at how much you like it.
