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Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Racism, Grief, Stalking
Minor: Cursing
It is a collection of journal entries, mostly, describing the first of Jonathan Harker's encounter with the Count, the latter's “invasion” in UK, Lucy's sickness and death and the hunt for his head by Dr Van Helsing and his new friends that the Count had hurt so much.
It's written, mainly, from Jonathan Harker, Dr Steward and Mina Harker's point of view. Count Dracula isn't as present as the title makes you think, but what is present is the pain and grief he's inflicting to the main characters, as well as the traits, characteristics and weaknesses of vampirism.
Much to my surprise, the hunt was only in the much later chapters and the fight lasted only a few pages.
My favourite character was Quincey Morris… I should see the ending coming, it's always the same with the characters I like…
Masterpiece for its time.
Be warned, he Vampire race described in this book has nothing to do with pop culture vampires. It's more on the superstitious and traditional side than the today's aesthetic one.
Graphic: Death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail, Classism
The characters however, have much more depth than I expected and it has made me question the later interpretation of some characters. If you are a horror fan and haven't read this one, I recommend putting it on your list just to understand some of the beginnings of our supernatural tales.
I do want to add that for the times Mina seems to be a particularly strong female character. The way she is described by the men is annoying "fair but having the brain of a man" but I understand that for the time that was likely a huge praise. It is her and Van Helsing that put it all together, find all the pieces and track down Dracula. Without her the men would have been lost and that is proved in a major plot point when they try to lock her away for her safety.
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Child abuse, Terminal illness, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Alcohol, Colonisation
Graphic: Death, Gore, Mental illness, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Graphic: Animal death, Death
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
A interesting story but not at all what I expected to be entirely honest.
The concept of experiencing everything through journal and diary entries and letters was quite interesting but the story itself was pretty underwhelming for me personally. It was interesting but nothing special. It's not a bad book per se but also not a good one. In my opinion at least.
The period typical racial slurs, racism, ableist slurs concerning mental health, misogyny, sexism, classism and overly religious tones were expected but made me uncomfortable which is mainly the reason for the low rating since the book itself was interesting enough (still quite underwhelming in my opinion though).
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Colonisation, Classism
I read along with the Dracula Daily crew this time around and had an absolute blast reading it this way.
From the characters to the plot and overall story it's just a fantastic book on all fronts (as well as an excellent Gothic novel).
Definitely a book I'll revisit many times again.
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexism, Alcohol
Minor: Child death
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis