Scan barcode
A review by lectrixnoctis
Dracula by Bram Stoker
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Abraham Stoker is one of the most famous authors who was born in Dublin. He was bedridden due to an unidentifiable illness till the age of seven. After graduation from Trinity College, he began to work as a civil servant and even writing journalism and short stories. Although he has written many books, his most famous one is "Dracula".
The story begins with Jonathan Harker, a young British lawyer, as he travels to Transylvania. Since he plans to meet with Count Dracula, a client of his firm, to finalize a property transaction, when he arrives in Transylvania, the local citizen reacts with extreme terror after telling them his destination: Castle Dracula. Though it makes him slightly uncomfortable, he continues onward. The weird howling of wolves rings through the air as he arrives at the old castle. When Harker meets the Count, he acknowledges that the man is pale, gaunt, and strange behaving. Harker becomes even more concerned after Harker cuts himself while shaving, Dracula lunges at his throat. Soon after that, Harker is seduced by three beautiful female vampires, from whom he barely escapes. He then discovers Dracula's dark secret—a bloodthirsty vampire who only survives because of human blood. Jonathan correctly assumes that he is to be the count's next victim. He attacks the count. However, his efforts are unsuccessful. The Count leaves Harker trapped in the castle and then, along with 50 boxes of dirt, departs for England. As Dracula enters England, the entire nation and even Harkers fiancée has her best friend Lucy Westenra at risk. Only one can help them end the bloodshed: Van Helsing, a Dutch specialist from Amsterdam.
The story is primarily told throughout a collection of journal entries, letters and even written and recorded telegrams by the main characters: Jonathan Harker, Mina Murray, Dr John Seward, Lucy Westenra and Dr Van Helsing. Therefore, the point of view shifts among these characters in the first person. The book is set in England and Eastern Europe and plays at the end of the nineteenth century.
"Dracula" has many fundamental themes which make this book into a literal masterpiece. One of the first ones that will come to your mind is the consequences of modernity. Early in the novel, as Harker begins to feel uncomfortable in the castle, he notes that modernity can question someone's beliefs and even their systems. It is a powerful division between Victorian London, full of advancements of modernity, and the rundown Castile in Transylvania. When Lucy is under Dracula's spell, modern devotees cannot help her. Only Van Helsing can since he keeps an open mind about ancient legends and proves that all knowledge is worth knowing even if it is not the typical western one.
Another theme is the threat of female sexual expression. It might surprise someone who has not read this novel yet, but it is packed with sexual undertones, especially those from the Victorian male gaze. There were only two options for a woman in Victorian society: either the beautiful virgin and a model of purity or a mother and wife. If you happened to be either of these, you were considered a whore: The character Lucy Westenra is a depiction of that since she was pure and angelic before she eventually fell under the spell of Dracula and died a horrible death because of her "wild" behaviour. Mina Murray is the complete opposite of Lucy and, therefore, the ideal Victorian woman.
Even the promise of Christian salvation is portrait in "Dracula". The Count is depicted as the most veiled and satanic figure walking on earth with sharp teeth, pointy ears, and flaming eyes. He is bloodthirsty, and those who fall under his spell are turned into monsters who remain eternal while slowly losing their souls. Only the second death of those under the period gets their chance of Christian salivation and regain their purity.
Due to the strange events which have taken place in this novel, characters often question if they are, in fact, sane or not what brings us to the next theme. Jonathan is not sure if his memories after returning to his fiancée are von real or if they were only a fever dream. Renfield, a patient under Dr Seward's care, is depicted as a madman who does foreshadow Draculas's evil plans.
While Dracula is undoubtedly evil and dangerous figure, his national origin makes him threatening the main characters. As a citizen of Eastern Europe, Dracula is portrayed as significantly different from his English, American, and Dutch enemies; as he explains to Harker, their ways are different from his. On Jonathan's last night at the castle, he looks at the sleeping count and thinks with horror that he is helping this "creature" getting into London.
This book is hands down my favourite novel of all time. I cannot imagine my life without it. Although "Dracula" can be strange to read at first and you have to get accustomed to it, it is highly worth it. I cannot help but love this book. It is a gothic masterpiece everyone should have read at least once in their life. If you have not read this novel, be sure to pick it up now.
The story begins with Jonathan Harker, a young British lawyer, as he travels to Transylvania. Since he plans to meet with Count Dracula, a client of his firm, to finalize a property transaction, when he arrives in Transylvania, the local citizen reacts with extreme terror after telling them his destination: Castle Dracula. Though it makes him slightly uncomfortable, he continues onward. The weird howling of wolves rings through the air as he arrives at the old castle. When Harker meets the Count, he acknowledges that the man is pale, gaunt, and strange behaving. Harker becomes even more concerned after Harker cuts himself while shaving, Dracula lunges at his throat. Soon after that, Harker is seduced by three beautiful female vampires, from whom he barely escapes. He then discovers Dracula's dark secret—a bloodthirsty vampire who only survives because of human blood. Jonathan correctly assumes that he is to be the count's next victim. He attacks the count. However, his efforts are unsuccessful. The Count leaves Harker trapped in the castle and then, along with 50 boxes of dirt, departs for England. As Dracula enters England, the entire nation and even Harkers fiancée has her best friend Lucy Westenra at risk. Only one can help them end the bloodshed: Van Helsing, a Dutch specialist from Amsterdam.
The story is primarily told throughout a collection of journal entries, letters and even written and recorded telegrams by the main characters: Jonathan Harker, Mina Murray, Dr John Seward, Lucy Westenra and Dr Van Helsing. Therefore, the point of view shifts among these characters in the first person. The book is set in England and Eastern Europe and plays at the end of the nineteenth century.
"Dracula" has many fundamental themes which make this book into a literal masterpiece. One of the first ones that will come to your mind is the consequences of modernity. Early in the novel, as Harker begins to feel uncomfortable in the castle, he notes that modernity can question someone's beliefs and even their systems. It is a powerful division between Victorian London, full of advancements of modernity, and the rundown Castile in Transylvania. When Lucy is under Dracula's spell, modern devotees cannot help her. Only Van Helsing can since he keeps an open mind about ancient legends and proves that all knowledge is worth knowing even if it is not the typical western one.
Another theme is the threat of female sexual expression. It might surprise someone who has not read this novel yet, but it is packed with sexual undertones, especially those from the Victorian male gaze. There were only two options for a woman in Victorian society: either the beautiful virgin and a model of purity or a mother and wife. If you happened to be either of these, you were considered a whore: The character Lucy Westenra is a depiction of that since she was pure and angelic before she eventually fell under the spell of Dracula and died a horrible death because of her "wild" behaviour. Mina Murray is the complete opposite of Lucy and, therefore, the ideal Victorian woman.
Even the promise of Christian salvation is portrait in "Dracula". The Count is depicted as the most veiled and satanic figure walking on earth with sharp teeth, pointy ears, and flaming eyes. He is bloodthirsty, and those who fall under his spell are turned into monsters who remain eternal while slowly losing their souls. Only the second death of those under the period gets their chance of Christian salivation and regain their purity.
Due to the strange events which have taken place in this novel, characters often question if they are, in fact, sane or not what brings us to the next theme. Jonathan is not sure if his memories after returning to his fiancée are von real or if they were only a fever dream. Renfield, a patient under Dr Seward's care, is depicted as a madman who does foreshadow Draculas's evil plans.
While Dracula is undoubtedly evil and dangerous figure, his national origin makes him threatening the main characters. As a citizen of Eastern Europe, Dracula is portrayed as significantly different from his English, American, and Dutch enemies; as he explains to Harker, their ways are different from his. On Jonathan's last night at the castle, he looks at the sleeping count and thinks with horror that he is helping this "creature" getting into London.
This book is hands down my favourite novel of all time. I cannot imagine my life without it. Although "Dracula" can be strange to read at first and you have to get accustomed to it, it is highly worth it. I cannot help but love this book. It is a gothic masterpiece everyone should have read at least once in their life. If you have not read this novel, be sure to pick it up now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Grief, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Racism