A review by blairecee
Dracula by Bram Stoker

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Honestly fucking awful. Has some great moments - particularly the opening chapters set in Dracula's castle, the stuff with Renfield in the insane asylum, the ship's log. The middle section as

Lucy slowly, agonizingly dies

is just an incredible slog to get to, and the pacing of the book is so slow as to ruin any horror or atmosphere that might be generated, especially since the characters are all wisp thin and half their dialogue is just congratulating each other. I do enjoy a good epistolary format although in this case I think it often weakens the tension of the novel - certainly it does in the shift from the early chapters to the interminable summer romance of Lucy. I'm glad I read it just to have experienced such a foundational text but I couldn't recommend this to anyone.