Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. Today, I am reviewing the classic gothic horror novel Dracula.

Dracula by Bram Stoker was first published in May 1897 by Archibald Constable and Company, and (my copy) is 352 pages long.

The Plot
The story centres on a vampire named Count Dracula and his attempt to move to England from where he lives in Transylvania. A young solicitor, Jonathan Harker, journeys to Transylvania to help organise Dracula’s move. The plot then shifts to England, where Harker’s fiancé, Mina, and her friends, Lucy and Doctor Seward, get embroiled in a fight against Dracula.

Characters
Count Dracula
Count Dracula is the titular character of the novel. He is undoubtedly one of the most famous villains in literary history. Dracula is a centuries-old vampire possessing superhuman strength and the ability to shape-shift into a bat or wolf. His primary motivation is to spread his curse of vampirism to others and to sustain himself by feeding on human blood. He is depicted as a refined, seductive, yet manipulative character, capable of exerting intense psychological pressure on his victims. Dracula is the ultimate embodiment of evil, and his presence is a constant threat throughout the novel.

Jonathan Harker
Jonathan is a young and ambitious solicitor who travels to Transylvania to assist Dracula with acquiring an estate in England. He is initially fascinated by Dracula’s exotic and enigmatic persona, but he soon discovers the terrifying nature of his host. Harker becomes trapped in Dracula’s castle, enduring a series of horrifying ordeals, including a confrontation with three vampire brides.

Mina Harker (née Murray)
Mina is Jonathan’s fiancée and later his wife. She serves as a pivotal character, not only due to her connection to Jonathan but also because of her intelligence and resourcefulness. She is depicted as a self-reliant woman with an insatiable appetite for knowledge, which proves crucial in discovering Dracula’s movements and actions. Mina plays a significant role in the novel’s resolution as she helps Jonathan and his allies defeat the Count.

Lucy Western
Lucy Westenra is Mina Harker’s best friend. She is a beautiful young woman and becomes the victim of Dracula’s seductive and deadly nature, with him eventually transforming her into a vampire. Lucy’s character emphasises the novel’s interest in the allure and horror of sexuality and the idea of female agency and empowerment.

Arthur Holmwood
Arthur is Lucy Westenra’s fiancé. He is a wealthy young man, devastated by Lucy’s transformation into a vampire. Being forced to stake her in the heart motivates him to join the others in tracking down and eliminating Dracula.

Dr. Abraham Van Helsing
Dr. Abraham Van Helsing is a Dutch physician and professor of medicine who becomes involved with the characters after Lucy Westenra falls ill. Van Helsing has extensive knowledge of vampire lore and becomes obsessed with hunting Dracula.

Renfield
Renfield, an inmate at Doctor John Seward’s asylum, is a notorious patient who exhibits disturbing behaviour and an obsession with consuming living creatures such as insects and birds. Dracula recruits Renfield as his henchman but he is later killed when he betrays the vampire.

Quincey Morris
Quincey Morris is an American businessman and adventurer. Morris’s bravado and brash style contrast with the more refined and disciplined personalities of the others, making him a memorable character. However, his character also underscores the potential limits of individualism and so-called ‘manliness’ in the face of supernatural forces.

Doctor John Seward
Doctor Seward is an experienced doctor and director of the asylum, located close to Count Dracula’s new estate. He has a romantic interest in Lucy Westenra and is actively involved in investigating her mysterious illness.

Writing Style
The book is written in epistolary form, narrated through a series of diary entries, letters, and newspaper articles, which is a fascinating way to experience a story.

Although the novel’s pace can seem sluggish at times, each scene does build up to a suspenseful climax. It’s important to remember that the book was written back when life was a lot slower – when attention spans were a lot longer.

One of the most striking features of Dracula is its sense of foreboding and terror permeating the narrative. Stoker’s gothic imagery is masterful; he created a world where darkness, fear, and death lurk behind every corner. From eerie descriptions of the Count’s castle in Transylvania to the mist-covered streets of London, the novel is rich with atmospheric details that transport the reader into a dark and unsettling world.

It’s not just the chilling horror elements that make Dracula a timeless classic but also the fascinating characters and themes Stoker explores. Throughout the novel, he examines love, death, religion, science, and gender roles. The complex relationships between the characters, especially between Dracula and Mina Harker, Jonathan’s fiancée, are also a highlight of the book.

Final Thoughts
Overall, Dracula by Bram Stoker is a masterpiece of gothic fiction that continues to captivate and scare readers well over a century later. With its evocative descriptions, atmospheric setting, and iconic vampire lore, the book is a must-read for all horror fans.

I am giving Dracula a good 9/10.

Have you read Dracula or watched any of the adaptations? Which is your favourite? Mine is the 1992 film ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’.

Thank you, as always, for stopping by to check out my review. I really appreciate your time!

Until next time,

George

© 2023 GLT

Categories: Book Reviews, Reading

Tags: book review, Dracula, gothic, horror, review, reviews, vampire, Vampires