ktxx22's review
4.0
If the OG Dracula is 5 stars from me this would’ve been 6 if the last half of this book had been properly completed and not just a brief and quick ending. Lacking the zeal of the first part of this book. I loved this. And I’m devastated that the ending is lacking so completely because this is just a sexy sordid version of Dracula. And whether or not Stoker intentionally released this racier version or if it’s a embellishment of the translator I loved it. But I can’t in good conscience give it 5 stars because it’s virtually unfinished. I do recommend, if you’re a lover of Stoker’s Dracula this is a must read even just as a comparison study!
funsized327's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dixiet's review
3.0
3-1/2 stars. An interesting, slightly alternative version of Dracula written by an Icelander who was Stoker's contemporary. Apparently for over a hundred years this was thought to simply be a translation, and is very similar in all main points, but deviates in a number of ways.
biblio_lore's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very weird version of this story. The first half, as everyone will note, is the part that was more polished and has a lot of interesting distinctions from Stoker's original. That said, it's still interesting to see the second half of the story, which is basically just an outline of where the story had been kind of projected to go, sort of. Seeing as both the original author and the person adapting the work are not around to ask, it's hard to know where one ends and the other begins but it's an interesting take of a potential tale that could have been. Highly recommended for Dracula historians.
susischmolz's review
3.0
Desde que me enteré que este libro existía tuve que leerlo de inmediato. Al principio anduvo super bien, pero después del primer capítulo super detallado y bien desarrollado, el resto el libro parecía un resumen y terminó de la misma manera, demasiado rápido para mi gusto, dejando un montón de cabos sueltos, cosas que había planteado, que no están en la historia original y que se veían super interesantes quedaron en nada.
itcamefromthepage's review
4.0
The Icelandic version of Dracula whose origins are still up for debate. Was this an early version that Bram Stoker gave for international purposes or was this a complete rewriting by Valdimar Ásmundsson? It is hard to say with any certainty.
A very interesting and unique version of Dracula that adds so much depth and intrigue to the opening elements of the story but completely loses all interest in the back half.
The historical information packaged in the forewords (there are multiple) are essential Dracula reading for any scholar.
A very interesting and unique version of Dracula that adds so much depth and intrigue to the opening elements of the story but completely loses all interest in the back half.
The historical information packaged in the forewords (there are multiple) are essential Dracula reading for any scholar.
liisu's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
zoth's review
3.0
A decent read. You can tell the routes of the first half were well preserved from where they'd gotten it, but the version of the second half they used for the Icelandic version really isn't that good. It reads as a summary of what the characters did, without any actual written conversation between them.
moominbit's review
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Welcome to the Penny Dreadful theatrical production of Bram Stoker’s … eh not quite Dracula!
Sit down, my friend, make yourself comfortable. You will need to be comfortable for this bumpy blood thrirsty OD (Original Dracula) pre Satanic Panic ride, as you follow Thomas (not Jonathan) Harker to the Count’s castle.
And stay in that castle … for like 2/3 of the book.
But don’t worry! Its a stay packed with despairing Victorian himbo thoughts, a sexy vampiress (whose style of seduction is eeriely similar to that of Blanche Dubois’ of Golden Girls) and demonic ceremonies, jump scares and more!
As for the rest of the story …. Well, honestly most of the budget went into making the castle and costumes and sets for the pre Satanic Panic demonic ceremony.
Its a rather nice castle of Dark Powers, don’t you think?
Just go with it. Don’t overthink it, dear friend.
You’ll have much more fun that way.
One critic joyfully said “2,5 stars rounded up to 3 … once I realised I was free to leave and never come back again!”
So come join the bloody fun!
Disclaimer:
This version of … eh … not quite Dracula does not include:
- Renfield
- the hauntingly wellwritten log book from the Captain of the Demeter (it all went into the castle, okay?!)
- a well thoughtout plot structure
- a fully fleshed out ending (well, neither does the Canon text, so why were you expecting it here?!)
Sit down, my friend, make yourself comfortable. You will need to be comfortable for this bumpy blood thrirsty OD (Original Dracula) pre Satanic Panic ride, as you follow Thomas (not Jonathan) Harker to the Count’s castle.
And stay in that castle … for like 2/3 of the book.
But don’t worry! Its a stay packed with despairing Victorian himbo thoughts, a sexy vampiress (whose style of seduction is eeriely similar to that of Blanche Dubois’ of Golden Girls) and demonic ceremonies, jump scares and more!
As for the rest of the story …. Well, honestly most of the budget went into making the castle and costumes and sets for the pre Satanic Panic demonic ceremony.
Its a rather nice castle of Dark Powers, don’t you think?
Just go with it. Don’t overthink it, dear friend.
You’ll have much more fun that way.
One critic joyfully said “2,5 stars rounded up to 3 … once I realised I was free to leave and never come back again!”
So come join the bloody fun!
Disclaimer:
This version of … eh … not quite Dracula does not include:
- Renfield
- the hauntingly wellwritten log book from the Captain of the Demeter (it all went into the castle, okay?!)
- a well thoughtout plot structure
- a fully fleshed out ending (well, neither does the Canon text, so why were you expecting it here?!)