Customer Reviews
My favourite book, by a distance. - By: DJ Darroch-thompson, 10 Oct 2008 
If you have not read this book, read it. Now. I have read it many times, & it keeps getting better. Stoker's descriptive language is wonderful, painting such a vivid picturein the reader's mind that you really feel like you are there. It is such a shame that nowadays no-one can read it without already knowing Dracula's identity, as Stoker builds the tension masterfully.
Do not watch Dracula films, read this book. You develop empathy with all the characters, & learn to admire the peerless Van Helsing.
A wonderful book, worthy of more than 5 stars.
Best Gothic novel yet written. - By: A. Townsend, 12 Feb 2008 For he who has seen the movies, yet never read the novel, I truly pity that person. The 1931 movie was quite a disgrace to the novel, & although I am certain that Stoker is not rollingin his grave ever since the early thirties, I am sure that the novel is nothing like any of the many movies you might have seen.
Writtenin 1897 by one of the greatest authors, Dracula is a timeless masterpiece that can only be enjoyed to its maximum when read, & not listened to by another reader (i.e. audiobook etc.)
Each character, from John, Lucy, Jonathan, Van Helsing, & the many other characters have their own personalities entirely, & each have their own thoughts.
The book is written as a collection of each character's journal entries, (other than Dracula & Reinfield's,) & begins much more interestingly than any movie.
For the most part, I think the reader should know that it was Jonathan Harker who first went to see Dracula, not Reinfield as the 1931 movie portrays.
Dracula did not actually wear a capein the book, but that does not mean he wasn't as Gothic as the movies portray.
One must wonder how vampires are associated with eroticain modern times, for the book did not contain any such. I presume that idea only came from the head of one Ann Rice.
One might start reading the book being on Dracula's side, & hoping Dracula will winin the end, but by the time you are on the last few chapters you will despise Dracula.
Stoker knew how to make anything sound morbid & frightening; snow, for example,in this novel, likein the short story `Dracula's guest' also by Stoker, seemed to get the reader into a feeling of terror & clusterphobia.
I had read this novel for five hours strait without knowing the exact hour, & the whole time I had not one dull moment.
Of the many novels I have read, I think few compare to the brilliancy of this particular one.
When one is done with this book, they will ask themselves `is this story fiction, or not? It seemed so real, so sorrowful, & so macabre.'
Stoker obviously did much research on many things such as zoophugus' & such.
A great novel by a great author.
Recommended for fans of Poe, Shelley, Konstantinos, & any Gothic literature admirer.
If you have still not seen any Dracula movie, I suggest read the novel, then watch the movie. You shall probably not enjoy the movie at all after such a great novel.
I give this ten out of five stars.
Quite simply the best book I've ever read - By: Paul Dawson, 18 Oct 2007 Get ready to be teleported backin time to the late 1800's. Bram takes you there, puts youin Dracula's Castle & scares the living daylight out of you.
Hooked!
Worthy of the classic status - By: Lancebastion, 18 Oct 2007 
Dracula is a name you will encounter all through your life, whether you've read the book or not. Due to this I had huge misconceptions as to what the story may be.
High on atmosphere & storytelling, the book is part medical drama, part mystery, part horror. Dracula himself doesn't feature perhaps as highly as you'd expect but this makes him all the more frightening.
It's not perfect, there are some slow, drawn out sections. On the whole I would make sure you read Dracula at least oncein your lifetime, if only to correct your misconceptions.
"For the dead travel fast" - By: B. Chandler, 05 Sep 2007 Surprisingly "Denn die Toten reiten schnell" or "For the dead travel fast" is more than an opening line to this tale of lovein the dangerous moon light. After watching several Drac movies & a few Nosferatu's, I pretty much though I had a handle on the genera. Little did I know what a wonderful world of mystery & suspense that Bram Stoker opened up for me.
The story is told mostly third party though the papers, diaries, & phonograph recordings (on wax calendars) of those people involvein a tale so bizarre that it almost defies belief. The general story line is that of a Count that plans to move to a more urban setting (from Borgo Pass to London) where there is a richer diet. There he finds succulent women; something he can sing his teeth in. Unfortunately for him a gang of ruffians (including a real-estate agent, asylum director, Texas cowboy & an Old Dutch abnormal psychologist) is out to detour his nocturnal munching. They think they have Drac on the run but with a wing & a prayer he is always one step ahead.
Of more value to the reader is the rich prose chosen by Stoker as he describes the morals & technology of the time. We have to come to grips with or decide if we can perform the rituals that are required to eliminate vampires verses the impropriety of opening graves & staking loved ones. The powersin the book differ from the movie versionsin that they are more of persuasion & capabilities to manipulate the local weather. At one point the Dutch Dr. Van Helsing, is so overwhelmed by a beautiful vampire layingin the grave that he almost for gets why he is there & may become vamp chow.
Allin all the story is morein the cunning chase. And the question as to will they succeed or will Dracula triumph. Remember "For the dead travel fast."
