grumpusgoblin 's review for:

Dracula (Audible Edition) by Bram Stoker

3.5

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Tempted as I was to rank this a tad lower due to frustrating character decisions and repetitive sections, I found myself nonetheless charmed by this impactful Gothic novel, forever creating a household name out of its titular character.

In the last year, I've dipped my toes into similar stories, like watching a few iconic Frankenstein films with my sci-fi movie club and performing in a production of Jekyll & Hyde. This theme of Victorian horror and fantasy has become intertwined in my life as of late, and I've enjoyed delving into the vampiric branch of the genres. The opening chapters with Jonathan Harker at Castle Dracula are still the best of the book, capturing a bone-chilling, trapped atmosphere as Jonathan tries to escape the Count's clutches and endures his gaslighting ways and voluptuous succubi.

The rest of the story plays out similarly to well-known adaptations. Jonathan eventually returns to London and recovers enough to marry his fiance Mina. Meanwhile, Dracula arrives in around the same time, causing havoc by tormenting Mina's friend Lucy and her suitors (an amusing trio consisting of a lord's son, an asylum doctor, and a laconic Texan). We're introduced to more vampire lore through the introduction of Dr. Van Helsing, a former professor of the doctor suitor. It all eventually bottlenecks into a race against time as our cast of characters assemble Avengers-style and chase the dreaded villain back to Transylvania to end his reign of horror once and for all.

I enjoyed doing another immersive read with this one, listening to the Alan Cumming/Tim Curry Audible version alongside my Penguin deluxe copy from the library. Admittedly, sometimes listening or reading ahead and catching up with the other meant that the repetitive sections I mentioned were even further emphasized. The older writing style was belabored under Stoker's constant return to the male characters praising our female leads, Lucy and Mina, to the HIGHEST heaven. Oh what Godly women they are, gentle yet stalwart creatures, ever so pure of heart, all the more tragic by Dracula sinking his teeth into them — dear GOD spare me. I was also ticked off when they kept leaving the women alone (or deciding not to tell Mina what was going on for "her own good") when time and time again, it's shown that Dracula can enter through the window as a polymorphed fog and suckle the necks of our poor heroines. And the story could've been edited down quite a bit with all the back and forth. But as I said, older writing styles like Stoker's tend to drag a bit for modern readers. I can respect and appreciate it despite a difference of centuries.

An enjoyable read despite some criticisms, glad to have notched this classic off the list and I can now speak of it as an informed, enlightened Dracc fan. I'm especially grateful for this book club pick since we now have the perfect excuse for some Dracula movie marathons. Can't wait to see what this Bela Lugosi fella is all about! #BunchaSuckers #SuckRaid