★★★½
GENRE: Classic
SUBJECT: vampires
SETTING: Transylvania, Romania London, England
CHARACTERS: Count Dracula, Jonathan Harker, Mina Harker, Van Helsing, John Seward, Quincey Morris, Arthur Holmwood
DATE READ: October 17 - October 25
NO. OF PAGES: 448
Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: Yes, Nook stockpile
CATEGORY: Lunch
PLOT: 4
CHARACTERIZATION: 3
TOPICS: 4
STYLE: 3
ORIGINALITY: 4
ADDICTIVENESS: 4
OWNERSHIP: 4
THRESHOLD QUALITY: 2
Average 3.5
I have a hard time with classics, I don't like books with vampires, so why then did I enjoy the 1897 classic novel about the vampire to top all vampires, Count Dracula? I won't go into the plot, I'm sure that there are many descriptions that are far better than I could write, but I will try to explain my feelings about this book.
First, I have to say that I've never watched the movie so I had no idea of the tale that would be related, so I was enveloped into the story at the very beginning, travelling through what is described as a beautiful land but with residents that are frightened of something, but no idea what.
The story was captivating, how this group came together to defeat this evil creature and save the lives of women and children that were threatened. However, the characters were, IMO, a little two dimensional and the style was a little difficult to follow in a few areas, but overall, I liked the story being told in their diaries and letters. At the time of the original publication, I would imagine that Victorian England was scandalized by the behavior of Dracula and his victims, because even though there may have been discussions of folklore related to vampires, I doubt there were few books telling the tales.
So for me this classic was a winner. But don't think that I will be searching or reading more vampire literature, I think I've had my fill.
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