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adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Pregnancy
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
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
watched dracula (1931) for the very first time, and the script wasn't all that to my liking (i did actually enjoy the film, though it wasn't my favorite), so all i could think about was how much i wanted to finally read this damn book. and now, here i am. hello, 2025. god, it took a while for me to finish this. but i did it, i got through it, even if it felt like a drag sometimes. it was extremely slow, and written in the way i'm not really used to. but i enjoyed it, overall. i would have to read it at some point anyway, otherwise i would continue feeling like a fake vampire lover.
i found the novel surprising, most of all. it was what i expected, but also not at all. it was a very interesting read, that's for sure. especially the entire concept of ignorance being the thing that kills. there were so many people who were treated less human than dracula, the vampire himself.
i found the novel surprising, most of all. it was what i expected, but also not at all. it was a very interesting read, that's for sure. especially the entire concept of ignorance being the thing that kills. there were so many people who were treated less human than dracula, the vampire himself.
the one character that made me feel the most emotions was probably lucy. i thought mina would be at the center of it all, and she was, but it was lucy as well, for a good portion of the novel. i did not care about count dracula as a character (he was more of a concept, really, a boogeyman) all that much, but mina and lucy were everything to me. i laughed with them, i cried for both of them. poor lucy especially brought me so much heartbreak. the fact that she died before she was even twenty is heart wrenching. she was younger than me when she had to suffer her every waking moment, barely able to wake up, when her mother died in her arms as they both slept, when she passed herself. oh, my poor lucy. but i loved jonathan harker as well, of course (he was so real for wanting to get the recipes of every single dish he's tried on his "travels"). i cared about him a whole lot, especially when he was talking about mina and how much he adored her. will he ever be able to make a simple round trip and get a recipe for his beloved? i wish i could know. and, look, i get the appeal of mina and dracula as a pairing, same with jonathan and dracula, but can we talk about mina and jonathan being one of the healthiest and loveliest couples in all of classical literature as well? because i loved them, i loved them a lot. i also loved how arthur, jack and quincy all got along so well, and even admired each other, despite the fact they all wanted to marry lucy. they all seemed to adore one another, and there was none of that traditional loathing you would usually expect in a dynamic like this. that brings me to the point i'm trying to make here. they all should've dated each other. here. i think polyamory would have helped them. helped, not fixed, because they were already perfect.
and lucy and mina? mina mentioning how pretty lucy was as she slept? 🏳️🌈 romance was the best part of the novel actually. friendship and romance. and the tragedy of it all.
and lucy and mina? mina mentioning how pretty lucy was as she slept? 🏳️🌈 romance was the best part of the novel actually. friendship and romance. and the tragedy of it all.
also, dracula was bisexual. that's all i have to say, really.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
Moderate: Sexism, Violence, Antisemitism, Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Child death
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Goodness, I've wanted to read this book for so long and I got it from my library a couple of days ago. And it was worth it.
I had a bit of trouble with Van Helsing's dialogue at first (This doesn't change my review; it's a personal thing because I was tired while I was reading the book).
I had a bit of trouble with Van Helsing's dialogue at first (This doesn't change my review; it's a personal thing because I was tired while I was reading the book).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Violence
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Antisemitism
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Really enjoyed reading Dracula! I connected well with it, it was quite funny at times while also maintaining tension. The pacing was generally good, but dragged a little as it was building to the end. Definitely would recommend reading, I would happily read it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I originally read this in anticipation for Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu, watching both the previous 20s and 70s versions of Nosferatu as well, and after seeing all three versions I’ve found myself appreciating Bram Stoker’s Dracula more than I initially did. It’s dense descriptions and poorly aged gender roles do make it a difficult read at times, but at its core the dense descriptions actually add to the thick world-building that makes Dracula such an enthralling, mystical read.
It’s cast of characters are so close and intertwined in the face of villainy, and it’s villain has stood the test of time for a reason. Whether he’s played by Gary Oldman, Bela Legosi, or Bill Skårsgard, he’s always incredibly effective in his presence, power, and the stakes he raises. The use of horror through his otherworldly effects in the world is one of the standout elements of the book, the use of diaries and news stories creates a fragmented, anecdotal depiction of the Count and his abilities. Particularly, his effect on Lucy and the whole section of her as a vampire, haunting children in the area was especially creepy as Dracula’s power often extend beyond himself.
There’s just so much to love about it, and it’s so ripe for adaption due to the different elements and sections or characters of the book that can be swapped out, combined, or even subverted due to the age of the story. Quincey is rarely used in adaptations as well as Lucy’s section as a vampire, often times Nina is given Lucy’s role, and more. All these specific little details make the book worth reading for the complete experience, as after over 100 years, Bram Stoker’s book is still the definitive version of itself. As challenging as it was, it’s more than worth getting through the lighter chapters of little consequence and even finding some enjoyment in them (don’t skip chapters!) because the story wraps up in such a satisfying way.
It’s a wholesome story of love and friendship as much as it is a horrifying story about an invasive force of evil. It has solidified Van Helsing as one of my favourite characters in literature and only strengthened my love for Dracula as a villain. No amount of monologues by thick northern accents could ruin what makes this book such a classic.
It’s cast of characters are so close and intertwined in the face of villainy, and it’s villain has stood the test of time for a reason. Whether he’s played by Gary Oldman, Bela Legosi, or Bill Skårsgard, he’s always incredibly effective in his presence, power, and the stakes he raises. The use of horror through his otherworldly effects in the world is one of the standout elements of the book, the use of diaries and news stories creates a fragmented, anecdotal depiction of the Count and his abilities. Particularly, his effect on Lucy and the whole section of her as a vampire, haunting children in the area was especially creepy as Dracula’s power often extend beyond himself.
There’s just so much to love about it, and it’s so ripe for adaption due to the different elements and sections or characters of the book that can be swapped out, combined, or even subverted due to the age of the story. Quincey is rarely used in adaptations as well as Lucy’s section as a vampire, often times Nina is given Lucy’s role, and more. All these specific little details make the book worth reading for the complete experience, as after over 100 years, Bram Stoker’s book is still the definitive version of itself. As challenging as it was, it’s more than worth getting through the lighter chapters of little consequence and even finding some enjoyment in them (don’t skip chapters!) because the story wraps up in such a satisfying way.
It’s a wholesome story of love and friendship as much as it is a horrifying story about an invasive force of evil. It has solidified Van Helsing as one of my favourite characters in literature and only strengthened my love for Dracula as a villain. No amount of monologues by thick northern accents could ruin what makes this book such a classic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Death of parent
Minor: Xenophobia
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Ah, man. A re-read for me. It’s so good, possibly even better from a re-read. Like with most of these culturally significant books, you have a sense of the novel before you read it. Before this re-read, I was remembering the story - what was as I had expected, what wasn’t. The characters I had visions of, and how they sit in wider literary contexts. But this re-read reminded me just how good of a novel it is. The pacing is spectacular. The way Stoker lays out information, by who, when, and how, is spot on without fail. The characterisation is insanely good- each with a unique voice and personality. I had forgotten how funny they could be, at times, Dracula included. The writing itself is solid, with some memorable quotes - but it is the telling of story that really makes this epistolary form special. Stoker wasn’t the first, nor the last to do this. But did he smash it so far out the park that everyone else is still trying to catch up? Yes. Yes, he did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Gaslighting
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Beware of those foreign immigrants who seduce your virgins, corrupt your wives, and turn you gay, as they plan to spread their race over precious England!!
Gosh that was long-winded and repeptitive. How many conversations of "hey last time we didn't take Mina seriously was a bad idea, maybe we should include her in the plans" do we need before we can treat Mina like an equal member of the group? I much preferred the beginning section of Jonathan Harker's diary, before the mixed media element really kicked in. When Bram stoker is just listing every scary thing he can think of is where the fun's at.
Gosh that was long-winded and repeptitive. How many conversations of "hey last time we didn't take Mina seriously was a bad idea, maybe we should include her in the plans" do we need before we can treat Mina like an equal member of the group? I much preferred the beginning section of Jonathan Harker's diary, before the mixed media element really kicked in. When Bram stoker is just listing every scary thing he can think of is where the fun's at.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Blood, Grief
Moderate: Gore, Racial slurs, Violence, Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Suicidal thoughts
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a great way to present the Dracula novel in audio form. I started with a good chunk to catch up on and finished in just about real time. Really well done audio, and some awesome, often corny original songs added into the mix - I say corny with the utmost love.
I do have critiques of the novel itself, like how the doctors consider Lucy's receiving a blood transfusion from more than one man as polyandry/as a slight to her reputation, marking her as a whore. The male main characters also fall into the exact same pitfalls as Victor Frankenstein when he destroys his creation's half made wife and fully disregards the possibility of revenge harming anyone beside himself, leading to the death of his betrothed. In them killing and redeeming Lucy after Dracula had made her a part of his harem in his slow killing of her, how could they not suspect Mina would be in danger of the same fate as her best friend while living next door to the vampire? I did enjoy the "dracula polycule" moments in the book, as is related to the sexualization of Lucy Westenra, especially since John, Quincey, and Arthur remained close and devoted to each other even after Lucy's death.
Overall, wild book from start to finish, while also somehow managing to be boring often.
I need to read this again, in its book form.
I do have critiques of the novel itself, like how the doctors consider Lucy's receiving a blood transfusion from more than one man as polyandry/as a slight to her reputation, marking her as a whore. The male main characters also fall into the exact same pitfalls as Victor Frankenstein when he destroys his creation's half made wife and fully disregards the possibility of revenge harming anyone beside himself, leading to the death of his betrothed. In them killing and redeeming Lucy after Dracula had made her a part of his harem in his slow killing of her, how could they not suspect Mina would be in danger of the same fate as her best friend while living next door to the vampire? I did enjoy the "dracula polycule" moments in the book, as is related to the sexualization of Lucy Westenra, especially since John, Quincey, and Arthur remained close and devoted to each other even after Lucy's death.
Overall, wild book from start to finish, while also somehow managing to be boring often.
I need to read this again, in its book form.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Racism, Terminal illness, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Medical content, Cannibalism, Stalking, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Antisemitism, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Genocide