Title: Dracula
Author: Bram Stoker
Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell’s Books): “When Jonathan Harker visits Transylvania to help Count Dracula purchase a London house, he makes horrifying discoveries about his client. Soon afterward, disturbing incidents unfold in England – an unmanned ship is wrecked at Whitby, strange puncture marks appear on a young woman’s neck, and a lunatic asylum inmate raves about the imminent arrival of his “Master”-culminating in a battle of wits between the sinister Count and a determined group of adversaries.”
Thoughts: I first read Dracula in elementary school; I believe I was eight or nine years old at the time. You could say that this is the book that started it all – my love of classics, my love of suspense, and especially my love of vampires. There is something so mysterious, so sensual, and so deliciously creepy without being overtly scary or gory, that I never fail to enjoy this story.
The epistolary nature of the novel is a stroke of genius. It not only builds suspense because the reader can see the entire picture being established but it heightens the emotions of the reader through the intimate interaction with each diary author’s personal thoughts. In addition, what is left unsaid, everything left to the reader’s imagination creates its own sense of building horror. The result is a novel that places the reader on a roller coaster of dread and anticipation.
On this most recent of many re-reads, I was struck anew by the dynamic between the men and the women in the novel. Mina and Lucy are much stronger, both emotionally and physically, than any of the men ever consider possible. Their patronizing tone and declarations that Mina’s mind is just as good as a man’s is upsetting at the frequency with which both are used. The blood transfusion scenes are a great example of a poor, weak woman needing the blood of a strong, healthy male to fortify her and help her recover from any illness. I can never truly discern whether Mr. Stoker meant to confirm that a woman’s place is at home, safely bundled away from danger, or if he was pointing out that a woman can indeed hold her own with a man. Evidence for both arguments abound throughout the novel, lending a somewhat contradictory air to the implied message.
Much has been said of the sensuality of Dracula, with much debate about whether it exists or whether it is imaginary. To me, I feel that it not only exists but is a huge part of the novel. The nape of the neck is extremely sensual, and Dracula (and his vampire coven) tends to go for the neck when drinking from his victims. When he starts to turn Mina, he forces her to drink from his breast. Then again, the time of the day when vampires prey on their victims is suggestive – nighttime, when women and men are scantily clad. All three combine to imply an intimacy between vampire and prey that typically is only present in the bedroom. This intimacy only heightens the shock and discomfort of the main characters, making Dracula’s crimes that much more sinister and depraved.
Dracula is the quintessential vampire story. It is important to remember that it is not the first vampire story but it is certainly one of the most influential. There is a reason for this. Spooky castles, mysterious counts, a tragic loss, a love story – it has it all. Add a touch of gothic, combined with a hint of the supernatural, and you have a story that has ensnared minds throughout the decades, remaining as popular today as it was when it was first released in 1897.
Dracula is definitely something that is open to interpretation and a book that shows different elements with each read. I did get the annotated version just today. I can't wait to delve into it!
While I did not gain all that you did through this book; I am very glad that I read Dracula. This definitly is the cornerstone to all the vampire lore of today.
The way you describe the sensuality of Dracula, yes, I agree, but I did not feel it the same way that you did. I understand what you are say about reading between the lines, but for me, that did not work very well…I was not horrified. Although, I may be desensitized to the horror within this book at this point in my life.
The women…I read them as strong women. They were not push-overs and could hold their own. They were living in a time were restricitons were placed upon the women so I really think the men were excellent in not totally shoving Mina aside. The blood transfusion…I did not read it as you did…men supplying the woman with strong blood. I read it as a necessaity…they needed blood, AND the men were the only ones to provide seeing how they did not want to bring this all out in the open thus they could not bring them to a hospital.
Dracula is a keeper for my bookshelves. Maybe one day I will re-read this book. It would be interesting to see if I were see the story from a differently then. Maybe I will go with the annotated version.
I appreciated reading your thoughts as they have definitely added to my overall view of Dracula. Thanks.
I remember nightmares when I first read it, and I faintly remember my mother scolding me for reading such a scary book. Yet, I finished this one and went to Frankenstein. LOL! Given how much I like vampires now, I think it was meant to be.
Renfield is just plain creepy and so tragic. He tried so hard to warn everyone and to get out from under the Count's influence. I think his story is truly scary.
Thanks, Kate! I went ahead and ordered the Annotated version. I love the book too much to not get it. I can't wait to read the behind-the-scenes, if you will!
Oh, Dracula is absolutely fantastic! I loved it when I read it in high school– I couldn't imagine reading it as an 8 or 9 year old. I would've scared myself silly. Especially the scenes on the boat– my favorite of the book. Oh! and of course Renfield.
The New Annotated Dracula sounds like a good version to try – I love the notes, the backstories, the story of the story, if you know what I mean. I have the not-annotated version checked out from my library for a fall read and am looking forward to it. Thanks for a great review!
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I definitely want to add that to my collection! I've heard nothing but amazing things about it and would love to take a deeper dive into the world of Bram Stoker's Dracula!
Yes, I think it is more effective a book for younger people. By the time you reach adulthood, we're much more jaded and inured to horror these days. Still, it is just a fun book to see what really started the whole phenomenon.
I just read The New Annotated Dracula, and it really added a whole new dimension to the reading. If you get the chance, pick it up for your next re-read of Dracula!
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I read this for the first time this year and enjoyed it more than I thought I would! I think it would definitely be better if read at an earlier age, but it was still a lot of fun.
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Nope – not the first vampire story. Vampires, or at least beings that drink blood for nourishment, have been around since prehistoric man, if you can believe it. There have been stories throughout the ages. Stoker's version is what really made them popular, coming at a time when interest in vampires was once again increasing, and cities like London were undergoing vampire hunts at night.
Like I said, Dracula is one of my all-time favorite novels. I recommend it to anyone and everyone!
OK … I've got to read this one day. I always thought it WAS the first vampire book … that Stoker invented vampires. Great review … it made me want to read it!
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