Dracula is brilliant! It is written through a series of diary entries by a group of people who are brought together by the discovery of who, and what the Count is. It is very elegantly written - both believable (to a degree!) and suspensful. It is also worth noting that the book is not at all cliche'd, garlic and stakes through the heart are instrumental - but feel necessary and again oddly believable!
The book starts with the diary of Jonathon Harker, who is sent by his
employer to Count Dracula's castle in Transylvania. Dracula then makes
the journey to Whitby and from there to London. Most of the action takes
place in London before a 'thrilling chase' back to Transylvania!
It is, as you would expect, a little dated. In particular with the treament of Mina - Jonathon Harker's fiancee. The men are all in love with her because she somehow is not always fainting. They seem to expect her to be in a puddle on the floor continuously and are completely in awe when she isn't. I think one of the guys actually describes her as having the brain of a man at one point.
It is also quite religious - fears for the souls of the Undead and for other souls which may become Undead drive the protagonists. It is however unfair to judge the novel on standards from over 100 years after it was written, and these two flaws do not at all detract from the brilliantly enjoyable story.
Read it! Now on Travels with My Aunt by Graham Greene which looks to be a witty one.
