Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

Dracula by Bram Stoker

10 reviews

jessicabearbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

"You are nearest and dearest and all the world to me; our souls are knit into one for all life and all time"

Wow. There aren't really words to truly express what it's like to read this classic. There's such a stereotype about classic literature that breeds apprehension to a reader: they're boring, difficult to read and understand, too long etc. Dracula feels like a modern day movie that should be loved by all. The atmosphere is incredible! Definitely recommend reading at leas the first 60 pages listening to some sort of spooky/classical/ambient music as the way Bram Stoker introduces the reader to the story and overall vibe of Dracula is amazing. 100% recommend immersive reading. This story is CREEPY but a little comforting at the same time.

4.75 because it's definitely a longer story to read (took me 16 days to due to my dedication to appreciate and understand every single word) and it was a little difficult as there's a lot of old language and phrasing used (But in Bram Stoker's defence he was writing in 1897 and it sort of added to the vibe).

The characters are so lifelike and more real and loveable than a lot of modern characters I've met this year. I could't help but get attached to them as their emotions are so beautifully portrayed, and their relationships are so deep and real. Dracula is 100% a romance novel. The relationships and idea of Love itself are masterfully explored and written. I mean, I was not expecting to fall in love with this story as much as I did, but it was difficult to pretend this was 'just another Classic when the exploration of Love is the deepest and most beautifully expressed I have ever read.

"If you only knew how gladly I would die for her you would understand-"
"I love you with all the moods and tenses of the verb"

As I said above, definitely try and read this with some ambient playlists in the background - but don't write off using more modern day music! The relationships in Dracula are recognisable enough to listen to songs such as "Wait" by M83. I'd suggest playlists with similar energy to "Saying goodbye to them", "They were never real", or "Missing your comfort character". This story is heartbreaking. If you allow yourself to be taken on the journey, and not stay certain that this is just a piece of Classic literature that you're reading for the sake of it, you will feel every emotion felt by Mina, Arthur, and Jonathan.

An ode to Mina:
Thank you for sharing your story. You deserve the best in the world, for you were the purest being in it and always will be.


"The whole of life seems gone from me all at once, and there is nothing in the wide world for me to live for"

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s3ag0at's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0


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michad's review against another edition

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adventurous dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Enjoyable but so wordy. The trope of stupid characters in horror seems to spring from this. 

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renorsomethin's review against another edition

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dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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kurumipanda's review against another edition

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dark hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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doriandelioncourt's review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5


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cleotheo's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75


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prettiestwhistles's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75


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memoirsofabooklover's review against another edition

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  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.25


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aardwyrm's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

It's. The one with Dracula. 

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