Classically Frightening

Dracula

By Bram Stoker

We have all seen the cheesy spoofs of vampires, the sexual representation of blood-sucking, and of course the Twilight series picture of a vampire. But what was the beginning?

While Dracula was the first highly popular published novel on vampires, the myths of frightening creatures that will drain the blood out of living creatures have abounded for centuries.

Through his journal entries we find Jonathon Harker traveling to Trannsylvania to visit a client, the mysterious Count Dracula. Jonathon is a lawyer in charge of the purchase of London property for the Count. On his journey he will encounter strange folk and occurrences and multiple warnings to turn back. Being a rational Englishman he does not heed the warnings but does find himself becoming more and more frightened as he finally arrives at Castle Dracula.

Dracula himself is an enigma. He does not seem to eat, sleep at night, and Jonathon himself discovers the Count has no reflection in a mirror. After some searching Jonathon finds the Count supposedly sleeping in a box of dirt, with fresh blood trickling down his chin! He also discovers he is a prisoner in the castle until such time as the Count sees fit to release him...if at all.

There the story cuts away to Mina's journal, she is Jonathon's fiance and is eagerly waiting his return to England. In the meantime she is staying with her friend Lucy in the seaside town of Whitby. Through Mina and Lucy's diary entries we discover that strange things are being to happen to Lucy at night, she is sleepwalking and seems to be growing weaker. 

Dr.Seward is a paramour of Lucy's and the head of a lunatic asylum. When he witnesses Lucy's illness he sends for his old mentor and friend, the Dutch Dr. Van Helsing. 

Van Helsing's diagnosis is more frightening than Seward could imagine; Lucy is being drained by a vampire! 

The entire story is told through a series of journal entries, telegrams, and letters. This gives insight to many characters and depth to the goal of hunting down and destroying the terrible Dracula. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the book! My version was an even 400 pages and easily read. An interesting aspect is that the real edge-of-your-seat climactic tension doesn't occur until the last fifteen pages, the previous pages are a magnificent build up. The characters are enjoyable, my favorite was Mina because of her sweet clarity and overall goodness. I would also recommend picking a version with an introduction to analyze the story. My version's intro was by Brooke Allen and she gives thought provoking insight as to why certain characters are more affected by Dracula than others, what role women play in the story, and why Dracula is such a memorable character. If you don't already know the story then read the analysis after the story.

Enjoy!