This was a surprisingly enjoyable read, even for those who aren't into vampires or horror fiction or reading the "classics". I read it based on a recommendation from another member, and because I like epistolary novels (novels where the story is told in the form of diary entries or letters, etc). I am not really into vampires, but this was very enjoyable -- the writing was very descriptive and the characters well drawn, so it was easy to visualize the action in your head. It was also neat to read one of the "original" vampire stories and see where a lot of modern vampire works draw their influence from. There are a lot of notes, to help readers understand foreign terms, literary allusions and other things that would (hopefully) have been common knowledge in 1897. This particular edition, by Penguin Classics, had the notes at the end of the book, rather than the bottom of each page, for those who have a preference in such things. Highly recommended for fans of great writing, historical fiction or movie buffs.
I was completely underwhelmed to be quite honest. The plot moves so slowly, and way too much of the book is dedicated to the various characters talking about why the other characters are so awesomely virtuous and admirable. The book finally picks up a little towards then end, but the final showdown with Dracula... wow.. That's it? Really? the book just kind of ends with a thud.
The Penguin edition was good because it had extensive end notes that explained some of the archaic language and gives some additional background. I ended up using two bookmarks while I read -- one for the main story, and another in the notes section.
The Penguin edition was good because it had extensive end notes that explained some of the archaic language and gives some additional background. I ended up using two bookmarks while I read -- one for the main story, and another in the notes section.
