Scan barcode
A review by wextra
Dracula's Guest and Other Weird Stories by Bram Stoker
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
Dracula's Guest - I know it's disappointing to many to not be a vampire tale on par with Stoker’s larger tome but this is a fantastic little story that serves as an entertaining prequel to the larger novel, even being effective as a starting point for a new reader before ever tackling Stoker’s classic. 3.5/5
The Judge’s House - A great horrifying ghost story prominently featuring rats, this one was quite a gem packed away in this collection and shockingly not adapted in any form elsewhere. 3.75/5
The Squaw - Extremely gory little tale of natural revenge with a most detestable character that it is enjoyable to see meet his end. The first pulpy story in this collection, Stoker's prose elevates a very grotesque ironic tale that feels right out of an issue of classic EC comics and in fact was adapted into an issue of Warren Publishing’s Creepy in 1965. 3.5/5
The Secret of the Growing Gold - Pretty paint by numbers ghost story taking from numerous other tales for inspiration. 1.5/5
The Gipsy Prophecy - From literally the title, Stoker’s racism towards the Romani comes through just as much as it did in Otherwise, it's a very generic prophecy story with a twist ending, although refreshingly not the usual one for this kind of story. 1.5/5
The Coming of Abel Behenna - Nothing story about infidelity and betrayal. Extremely weak overall. 1/5
The Burial of the Rats - Intense chase tale that manages to keep the run going for a long time while being entertaining throughout. Easily one of the best stories in the collection. 3.5/5
A Dream of Red Hands - Beautiful, if short, story about a man haunted by his past and the friend who sees him through it in all intimacy. Definitely a standout in this collection despite its short length. 3.5/5
Crooken Sands - Entertaining psychological horror tale considering the idea of the doppelgänger with several entertaining twists throughout. A more comedic story at times but definitely an enjoyable one. 3.25/5
The Judge’s House - A great horrifying ghost story prominently featuring rats, this one was quite a gem packed away in this collection and shockingly not adapted in any form elsewhere. 3.75/5
The Squaw - Extremely gory little tale of natural revenge with a most detestable character that it is enjoyable to see meet his end. The first pulpy story in this collection, Stoker's prose elevates a very grotesque ironic tale that feels right out of an issue of classic EC comics and in fact was adapted into an issue of Warren Publishing’s Creepy in 1965. 3.5/5
The Secret of the Growing Gold - Pretty paint by numbers ghost story taking from numerous other tales for inspiration. 1.5/5
The Gipsy Prophecy - From literally the title, Stoker’s racism towards the Romani comes through just as much as it did in Otherwise, it's a very generic prophecy story with a twist ending, although refreshingly not the usual one for this kind of story. 1.5/5
The Coming of Abel Behenna - Nothing story about infidelity and betrayal. Extremely weak overall. 1/5
The Burial of the Rats - Intense chase tale that manages to keep the run going for a long time while being entertaining throughout. Easily one of the best stories in the collection. 3.5/5
A Dream of Red Hands - Beautiful, if short, story about a man haunted by his past and the friend who sees him through it in all intimacy. Definitely a standout in this collection despite its short length. 3.5/5
Crooken Sands - Entertaining psychological horror tale considering the idea of the doppelgänger with several entertaining twists throughout. A more comedic story at times but definitely an enjoyable one. 3.25/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Racial slurs, and Murder