Dracula - Bram Stoker

     Horror told in fragments, not answers. The Monster is known - the danger is not.

    I was biased coming into this book, my love for gothic victorian (thank you Bloodborne) and also for the vampire mythos, I came into it expecting to love it, and although the book has a difficult structure, I very much did!

    The vampire mythos stands firmly at the forefront of the narrative; Dracula is one of the first characters to appear, his influence is felt throughout all parts of the narrative, and his powers and limitations are slowly demystified by the investigations and experiments of one of our protagonists. Nowadays, vampires take on all kinds of forms and expressions, and this more classic, more restrained style felt refreshing and mystifying. Some differences from what we have come to know today also help to make this version stand out from the rest and solidify his presence as the Dracula.

    Talking about the story, it’s impossible to separate it from its epistolary structure, that is, being composed of a collection of notes, diary entries, and letters written by its characters. This structure somewhat increases the difficulty of reading and sometimes understanding the book, but on the other hand, it enhances the mystery and action, making it feel like we are following the actual characters’ thoughts, memories, and actions. For me, it worked very well—the way the characters’ perspectives juxtaposed each other and how it all worked effectively to describe the events as they unfolded through different perspectives.

    As for the characters, I found them all to be exquisite and strongly written. I will highlight three of them here: Abraham Van Helsing, Dr. John Seward, and Miss Withelmina Murray, later Withelmina Harker. Dr. Seward and Van Helsing are the main pair of the story; they work together to uncover most of the mysteries regarding their plight. Although lacking knowledge, Seward’s trust and faith in Van Helsing shone through. The latter’s lack of desire to explain but willingness to show served as a very deliberate and mysterious way to progress the revelations, and Seward’s confusion and lack of answers put us very much in his shoes. As for Mina, her unwavering resolve and her strength made her stand out; as one of the most affected throughout all the events, she remained the most restrained and cunning character, and the most important in the fight against Dracula.

    Overall, I give this book a very strong recommendation. I enjoyed my time with it, and although its text can be dense and hard to grasp, I found it very gripping and enjoyable. Its oppressive atmosphere, well-put-together story, and strong characters gave me the Gothic Victorian experience I was looking for!