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books, bram stoker, classic, dark, dracula, fiction, gothic, mystery, reviews, romance, stories, vampire, van helsing, writing
Dracula
by Bram Stoker
genre: horror, Gothic, classic, vampire
Have you been meaning to get around to this dark classic? I finally did!
Review
Before you continue to read my review, I probably should state that I don’t really enjoy books of epistolary nature (told through letters and diaries) and I also don’t like the writing style of classic novels. I am someone who enjoys a gripping story and fast-paced, powerful writing. I loved the story of Frankenstein, but the writing annoyed me to no end. The writing in Dracula also annoyed me but thankfully it did have a great plot. A “true” vampire novel to say the least.
My first substantial introduction into the Dracula story was with the movie ‘Van Helsing’ when I watched it many years ago (I was 12 or so), I thought it was the best movie ever. Only now, after reading the original novel, do I realise how silly and inaccurate the movie was. For one: Van Helsing should definitely have not been played by the rugged, attractive Australian actor, Hugh Jackman, considering the fact that the Dutch character was old, overweight, and balding (if memory serves me right). For two, where the heck is the rest of the team and why are there werewolves involved? Either way! I loved the dark themes of that movie and fell in love with Dracula and his flock of voluptuous, blood-thirsty vampire ladies. The corrupt, evil, alluring vampires were one of my first, if not first, love of the supernatural. I can’t stand romantic vampire novels (I’m not judging!) because I love it so much better when they are truly, and inherently, evil (cue thunderstorm strike and manic laughter). Only now, 8 years later, did I decide to read the book. So, here it goes!
Ermilia 