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stitchwilliam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Story was slow a lot of the time, but it was relatively suspenseful and mysterious for a classic (note: the novel is more mystery than it is horror). Implemented the idea of “not much happening” in order to create that suspense, which worked well when the novel first started, but not too well at the end (I don’t really enjoy reading multiple POV on people just traveling).
Overall messages were concerning—E.g. xenophobia and stereotyping (this, unfortunately, probably reflected the thinking of some communities at that time…).
The characters were kind of dry, except for Mina and Renfield. There isn’t a lot of character development overall.
I also feel like the author also left out necessary details at times. I still don’t understand why some of the characters did certain things? E.g.
In Short - Outdated messages and plot drags a lot, but interesting to consider the story that popularized the vampire myths.
Graphic: Murder, Xenophobia, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Violence, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Gore, and Misogyny
Minor: Animal death
renorsomethin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Body horror, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Blood, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Medical content, and Xenophobia
Minor: Animal death
decepticons's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Racism, Emotional abuse, War, Blood, Gore, Xenophobia, Medical trauma, Body horror, Death, Gaslighting, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Mental illness, Medical content, and Stalking
Minor: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Child abuse, and Classism
Vampirism used to excuse racismglashtyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Mental illness
ameliethemoomin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Racism, Murder, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Gore, Forced institutionalization, Death, Blood, Xenophobia, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Medical content
Minor: Antisemitism, Animal cruelty, Ableism, Animal death, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
gossamer_lens's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
There are several POVs that are delightfully conveyed via missives and have various "newspaper clippings" and other information interspersed. It is a fun story with some delightful characters. I became thoroughly invested once I made it about 10% of the way into the book and I only put the book down when I had to read other things for book club and the like.
I 100% enjoyed this and would recommend it to anyone!
Moderate: Blood, Violence, and Mental illness
swisner's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Mental illness
utopiaandmelancholy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Violence, Antisemitism, Mental illness, Self harm, Racism, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Blood, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Animal death, Misogyny, and Stalking
cooldudenick's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Sexism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, Violence, Animal cruelty, Mental illness, and Blood
intertsellaerose's review against another edition
I do enjoy the old style of writing (it’s very satisfying to read) but it does reallyyyy go round the houses. I also sorely disliked Van Helsing with his self righteous explanations and just ughhh.
But whatever. I did actually mainly enjoy Dr Seward’s chapters about Renfield, and his relationship with Mina was sweet.
Overall I think it’s a good one to read as a classic and some of the characters make it worth it, but I just couldn’t stick it out anymore lol
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis