Dracula (The Original 1897 Edition) by Bram Stoker

"The end all be all of Vampire novels, Stoker's Dracula is not only unique since it deals dark fantasy and it must have been quite shocking when it was first published, but the way that Stoker writes it, through journal entries and newspaper clippings really gave the story a fun, interesting vibe. I'm glad I re-read this, though the text in this graphic novel was miniscule, so glasses were a must."

5 Stars

Pros: The end all be all of Vampire books, I mean, it's Dracula/Stoker definitely made it interesting, keeping the narrative as journals/diaries and newspaper clippings.

Cons: The print in this edition was so small that I could only read a bit at a time or else, migraine.

Full Review:

Jonathan Harker has traveled to Transylvania to help Count Dracula finish his paperwork as he buys a plot of land in England. Soon, what Harker though was a normal business trip to an unusual country, turns into a nightmare. Harker comes to realize that Dracula is not an ordinary man and that the Count has done everything in his power to make it so Harker will not leave that Castle alive.

Meanwhile, Mina, Jonathan's fiancée is living in London and trading letters with her good friend, Lucy Westenra. Lucy's been the lucky recipient of three engagements in one day and their letters continue in this way until the mysterious Count arrives in England. One night, while Mina is visiting Lucy, she realizes that Lucy's been sleep walking and has managed to make her way all the way up to a small bench of a cliffs edge that they visited during the day. Once Mina goes to find her, she notices a shadow near Lucy but once she gets close, it disappears. Mina brings Lucy home and at first, is hopeful that her friend just had a very elaborate dream that set her traipsing about the English countryside at night.

At that moment, Mina receives a telegram from a convent in Transylvania saying that they have Jonathan. He's been very ill but he's starting to come out of it and Mina must come at once. So, Mina leaves to be with Jonathan and unfortunately, Lucy's health begins to fail. One of the men who proposed to her, Dr. John Seward, is still a good friend and does his best to care for Lucy. He calls upon the knowledge of his old mentor, Professor Abraham Van Helsing.

It's quickly apparent that something is very wrong with Lucy. And thus, begins the classic Vampire tale. It was definitely interesting to re-read this novel since I hadn't read it since my school days. Though Stoker's way of telling the story, through diary entries etc, was interesting, I thought it would have been interesting to see some of the narrative from Dracula's POV. But, what Stoker gave the reader was enough and I'm glad I read it. It was like visiting an old friend.

Comments

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