Dracula in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

Nov 07, 2018 Karlita rated it liked it

Shelves: classic-challenge

I can’t believe I finally finished this book. I feel like it’s been years since I started it. Ah, Dracula. As I write this I am still unsure how many stars will go into my rating. It definitely deserves to be a classic so I added a star just for that status. The story itself was fun – who doesn’t like to read about vampires taking on pretty new victims and leaving blood and death in their wake. But this whole book could have been cut in half. The repetition was unbearable. Van Helsing loves to h I can’t believe I finally finished this book. I feel like it’s been years since I started it. Ah, Dracula. As I write this I am still unsure how many stars will go into my rating. It definitely deserves to be a classic so I added a star just for that status. The story itself was fun – who doesn’t like to read about vampires taking on pretty new victims and leaving blood and death in their wake. But this whole book could have been cut in half. The repetition was unbearable. Van Helsing loves to hear himself talk, and talk, and wait, and wait, and how much evidence do you need to prove your theory!? SHE HAS FANGS FOR GOODNESS SAKE! And the bromance happening between Van Helsing and Lucy’s three suitors is hilarious and definitely helped keep me turning the pages. Repetition: minus a star.

Mina was my favorite character, with her intelligence, strength, and bravery that just shouts female empowerment. Plus one star. And why did Lucy get a blood transfusion but Mina did not? Jonathan was pointless. Did Dracula suck out his personality? Renfield was awesome, until the repetition made him annoying. Why is Dracula not in this book more? I would have liked more background information on him. I would’ve liked some chapters written from his perspective. Minus one star.
The language is interesting because I felt like I was reading it in the 1890s. However, that also means that Mina and Lucy are written in such patronizing ways. If I have to read any more about how sweet and pure and innocent Lucy and Mina are, I will drive a stake into my own heart. Don’t get me started on how they have a “great brain like a man’s brain” except, they are women. (Slowest. Eyeroll. Ever). I kept reminding myself about the time period in which this was written.

With the unnecessary repetition of unmemorable moments throughout the novel, you would think that the ending, the final standoff between the mortals and immortal, would be epic….... (cue deflating balloon). The preparation took longer than the final death. I literally went back to re-read it because I thought I had skipped a page. Minus one star. Give these mortals the victory scene they deserve!

I see why it’s considered horror, but there was nothing scary about it - except the number of pages. No gruesome scenes, really. Everything was very vanilla – even for its time. I love stories about vampires and this one is good, but it’s not great. If you have the time, and the patience, I’d say give it a read. Otherwise, settle for the comedy that is the Gary Oldman version of the movie. Total: 3 stars.
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Dec 13, 2011 Lydia Presley rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, paranormal, 1001, 2011

Original review posted here

It’s not often my 17 year old brother tells me I have to read a book. So when he does, I put it on the short list.

I’ve had Dracula on my list for a while though. I thought it’d be a fun read after reading Frankenstein earlier this year, but Frankenstein did a number on me (it was not nearly as gripping as I had hoped it would be) so Dracula got put to the back burner. I should have known better.

First of all – for those of you who have not experienced Dracula yet – it’s ...more

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Oct 22, 2024 Rachel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: classics

Listened to the "Audible Edition" of the audiobook, which was a full cast production. One of the most enjoyable listening experiences I've ever had since I started listening to audiobooks 20 years ago. Tim Curry and Alan Cumming are the big names, but the whole cast was great. You really could feel all of their emotions. I can't imagine what it was like reading Dracula when it first came out... I get why it would be terrifying! But even knowing of Dracula from pop culture my whole life, it was e ...more

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Mar 26, 2008 Rae rated it really liked it

Shelves: classics

I wanted to read this book several times in my teen and young adult years. Every time I tried to, though, I would scare myself silly and couldn't get beyond about thirty pages. I finally did read it...and could only do so during the day and with other people in the house. It's written in that great Victorian prose that just goes right through your bones. Spooky stuff! ...more

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