Dracula | Book Review

[@joshuacaleau2328]

I totally agree about the length. I also liked the epistolary format

[@ReadbyFred]

Yeah, if it was 100 pages shorter, and that vernacular was toned down, I would have enjoyed the novel more. :)

[@happyhauntslibrary]

I really enjoyed this video. I loved the themed text and music. When it comes to classics, I always get worried about language and writing style being confusing for me as the reader. Thank you for the heads up on that for when I get to this book!

[@ReadbyFred]

This was the first time I didn't understand the vernacular used in a classic work. Thanks for the compliments 😀

[@areadersalmanacwithceleste1366]

I haven’t read Dracula in years but love the epistolary pov. It may only be scary in a traditional gothic way a la Elizabeth Gaskell, Edith Wharton, etc. but I love the narrative structure. I also enjoy the Gary Oldman film version.

[@ReadbyFred]

I picked up Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994) and Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) DVDs recently. I enjoyed Frankenstein, but still need to watch Dracula again. Every Halloween after I gave our candy to the kids I would try to rewatch the 1992 Dracula movie aired on TV (but would end up falling asleep :p).

[@bookspin]

Great review! I haven't read Dracula, it's not the kind of thing I would normally read but I am curious about delving more into classic gothic fiction.

[@ReadbyFred]

Thanks! Some of the gothic fiction I've read has been good. Frankenstein (1831 ed) and The Great God Pan were really great reads.

[@bookspin]

@@ReadbyFred I loved Frankenstein! Planning to reread it soon. The edition I have doesn't indicate whether it's the 1818 or 1831 version though.

[@ShannonsChannel]

I agree with your thoughts on Dracula from what I remember of it. I studied it in university. I remember the prof talking about all the sexual symbolism, the stake through the heart, etc. I always want to ask authors if they intended what professors tell us about their books, lol. I mean, was Bram writing it as sexual symbolism or did intellectuals assume that? I think it was the writing I didn't care for more than the story itself (although I typically enjoy epistolary novels).

[@ReadbyFred]

Excellent point. I'm not sure Mr. Stoker would have thought the same themes when writing the novel :)

[@ShannonsChannel]

@@ReadbyFred I always wondered about that in school!! Like, did the author really insert all these "sexual symbolisms" or are the profs making it up? 😆

[@bardsandbooks]

I appreciate the information on the history of the author and the creation of the novel, great review!

[@ReadbyFred]

You're welcome. I'm trying to learn more about the author's of the books I read so that I have a broader picture. Thought it would be nice to share :)

[@BookishChas]

Enjoyed the review Fred! I think I liked it more than you did, but I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😊

[@ReadbyFred]

Thanks Chas. It was definitely on my bucket list of reading - I'm glad I read it :)

[@MriInterocitor]

I like how much it’s a Victorian technothriller, putting advanced tech up against ancient occult peril.

[@ReadbyFred]

Well, the train and telegram were definitely new(ish) technologies at the time of the novel. The copy I read was the version printed in 1897 - it sounds like you may be referring to a later work from another author. In any case, Dracula is definitely an occult peril :)

[@MriInterocitor]

@@ReadbyFred I was thinking of Seward’s audio journal, and the heavy use of telegrams to keep everyone coordinated, and Mina more or less inventing the dossier in assembling the mass of documents, and like that.

[@awebofstories]

I've never read Dracula, but I do have it on my kindle. I heard too late about the thing this past year to read it in "real time" through an email list? Something like that. Too bad, that might have been the way that worked for me!

[@ReadbyFred]

I read it on my eReader as well. Glad it was free :)

[@jamesabbiati5775]

Read it a few years ago. Concur, certainly doesn't hold up to modern horror standards. Enjoyable for what it is, though, not to mention its massive influence on the genre. "Important" is probably how I'd describe Dracula. I enjoyed your take on it...especially the added history. Considering the books behind you, that's not surprising! 🙂

[@ReadbyFred]

Hah, yup, I do like my history. Dracula was definitely a massive influence in art, culture and media. Though I may not have been thrilled with the novel, I do appreciate it's influence.

[@AnaMoShoshin]

I really like the book Dracula, but I can see why it falls flat for many. Especially bc the story is so prominent in our culture. The book is not as scary or exciting as many later interpretations. I like how funny it is, particularly in the beginning. I also really enjoy epistolary books, fiction and non fiction. The middle definitely drags. I'm interesting to read Carmilla, which was a big inspiration for Dracula, I've heard. I think that one deals even heavier with the gender and sexuality themes. I've also heard it's shorter, and more of a creeping horror story.

[@ReadbyFred]

Thanks Mo! I'll have to look up Camilla - if it's anything like The Great God Pan I'm likely to enjoy it. How did you manage with the vernacular in certain parts of the novel? I can't believe no one's ever mentioned it - it's making me wonder if there are different versions of the book.

[@cdolan13]

Nice video. But, if I may, maybe the reason you did not pick up on the themes is because you are reading a 19th century novel as a 21st century man? I have no problem identifying every one of these themes because not only do I love the book and have read it many times since I first read it when I was 13 (getting something new out of it from every read), but have read of and understand Victorian society. So, using that part of my brain, and understanding the literary world at the time I can agree unequivocally that Dracula is a horror novel. Also, let me give you something for thought: Dracula is not just moving to London for 'fresh blood', but to conquer England. In his long speech to Jonathan Harker, where he talks about being 'descended' from a race of warrior/conquerors and that there are no more lands to conquer, and the fact he has placed his 50 boxes of earth throughout London, that he is setting himself up strategically, not just for sustenance. Interested to hear if you ever read the book again, through 19th century English eyes? Thanks!

[@ReadbyFred]

Thanks for your thoughts! Conquering England would be quite an ambitious goal - I took it as him having two separate lives: one where he is a wealthy debutant; the other an underground second life where his need for blood is satisfied. I will definitely need to read this book again, but from another edition - I did find the vernacular difficult to understand in the edition I read.

[@jarltrippin]

I read Dracula when I was 20 and loved it. It's a slow burn, didn't have me gripped right away, but it definitely has atmosphere, which is always a plus for me. (Spoilers) A trope I adore reading is when characters we've been following separately for hundreds of pages finally come together, which is exactly what happens at about 2/3 into this book, and they all go on this quest to kill Dracula. It turned into a swashbuckling adventure from that point on, which is something I really never expected, and it became an absolute blast to read. So oddly it didn't succeed as a horror novel for me, but a pretty kick ass adventure novel, and possibly my favourite reading experience. And this is a great review. I can totally see why people wouldn't be crazy about this book, especially if you expect to be spooked. If you want a tighter, shorter, and scarier vampire novel with a stronger focus on character, I can't recommend I Am Legend enough if you haven't read it. It's gotta be one of the bleakest books in existence. The nature of the story means it offers very little in the way of character interaction, but it's a masterful display on the psychology of isolation. Much better than the movie. Subscribed.

[@ReadbyFred]

I'm glad to hear you had a great experience with this novel. I'll have to pick up I Am Legend - I read Hell House from Matheson last year and he's a good story teller. Thanks :)

[@krisreviews]

It's been such a long time since I read this... I really need to re-read cause I don't remember how I feel about it 😅

[@ReadbyFred]

I thought I would enjoy it more than I did. I'm glad I read it though :)

[@TheBookclectic]

Frankenstein is also an epistolary novel. I think you read that last year.... or am I mixing you up with someone else? 🤔 I have heard other people say they didn't like Dracula much with similarcomplaints to yours. I read it when I was 21 or 22 and loved it. However I will be re-reading it in April, so I'll see if it still holds up for me! Great review Fred! I really enjoyed this! ❤

[@ReadbyFred]

Lol, I did read Frankenstein last year! I forgot it was set up the same way :p Looking forward to your review after you've re-read Dracula in April. I'm hoping you will still enjoy it :)

[@Eldertalk]

I liked reading Dracula. Epistolary novels are my favorites. I think the boring middle starts because we're used to the Dracula legend of a castle in Romania but when we arrive in England it isn't what we expected from the novel and there definitely isn't the fright we thought we'd be feeling. I'm not a fan of the horror genre so the non-scary aspects of Dracula were just right for me.

[@ReadbyFred]

What did you think of the vernacular in the novel? I liked the dialog between the main characters, but I couldn't understand the vernacular of the zookeeper, those guys that carried the boxes of dirt (and were attacked by Renfield), the sea captain, or the older gentleman speaking with Lucy and Mina. No one is mentioning this and I'm beginning to think that I read something completely different from what others have read.

[@Eldertalk]

@@ReadbyFred - honestly, it has been a few years since I read Dracula, and I don't remember the vernacular. I guess it didn't bother me at the time. ---- Just looked on Goodreads and found my 2016 review. I gave it five stars and didn't mention the vernacular. I think a lot of us are accustomed to classic authors using dialect at times - it was much more accepted (in print) then than it is now. These days authors are warned not to use it.

[@stews9]

What? It's among my favorite books. Always lets me down when others don't find it top shelf.

[@ReadbyFred]

Unfortunately I wasn't a fan. I struggled getting through some of the middle chapters, but I did enjoy the beginning and end of Dracula. Oh well, books touch us all in different ways. I'm just happy I'm able to experience them. 😀

[@michaelhurley3171]

Basically the story of a realtor about his worst client!Agree it's kinda slow. I'd like to see a book called "Worse than Dracula, realtor clients from hell " And believe me there are worse clients!

[@ReadbyFred]

Hah! Definitely true. It would be fun reading and comparing realtor accounts against Dracula and his eccentric requests :)

[@michaelhurley3171]

@@ReadbyFred yes, and although he's fictional, I believe Saul Goodman has had worse clients!

[@bookcaseofdoom]

I really love Dracula. Van Helsing was a Great character, but oh man can he TALK.

[@ReadbyFred]

That's funny, I didn't find any of the characters had long dialogs, but I did find some of the vernacular hard to read. Hmm, it's making me wonder if there are different versions of the novel (I think mine was a Project Gutenburg kind of book).

[@bookcaseofdoom]

@@ReadbyFred I think Gutenberg has the full text. There's an abridged audiobook and it's only worth listening to because it's narrated by Christopher Lee.

[@novelideea]

I loved Dracula the first time I read it, my reread of it 2 or 3 decades later I felt it was just meh as well. 🫤

[@ReadbyFred]

I wish I had loved it the first time I read it. I heard so many good things about it :p