The Book Report: 'Dracula' - Bram Stoker

By Kate Norrish

Staff Writer

Everyone knows the general outline of the stories where infamous horror creatures like Frankenstein’s Monster and Cthulhu originated. However, the plot of “Dracula” - published in 1897 - usually surprises people. Part of that may be that the appeal of the book is not Dracula as a character, and part of it may be that the plot is bonkers. 

Additionally, in Victorian England, Christmas was considered the creepiest day of the year, kind of like Halloween here in America. Therefore, let’s play into that, shall we?

“Dracula” begins when a British man Jonathan goes on a business trip to Transylvania - a city filled with kind people and the most tasty chicken paprika he’s ever eaten. For some reason though, they’re all scared of Dracula, even though he seems like a nice eccentric guy. 

After Jonathan realizes Dracula is an evil - well you know - he attempts to escape, all while Dracula goes to take over England and starts slurping on Lucy, the friend of Jonathan’s fiancee. What follows is a great big hunt featuring Lucy’s three suitors, as well as the fiancee, a.k.a. Mina Murray, Van Helsing, and, of course, Jonathan.  

I’m just going to say it, Dracula is the most boring character in “Dracula.” He is a stereotypical, moustache-twirling villain who wants to take over the world, one slurped victim at a time, as well as having some anti-semetic undertones. The reason you read it is for everyone else. 

I love all these people, from the gentle yet goofy Van Helsing, to Lucy and her suitors - a group that is implied to be a polycule - to Mina, the most kickbutt woman Victorian literature has to offer - they all have their own quirks and skills.

I would also like to highlight that one of Lucy’s suitors is a literal cowboy (from the state of Texas, y’all) and his name is Quincy. He is awesome. 

While the book understandably makes some people uncomfortable due to it playing into the idea that Eastern European - and especially Jewish people - are attempting to take over Europe, as well as some ableism surrounding a mentally ill man, I do think the book holds up in several other areas. 

For example, while many adaptations portray Lucy as an impulsive woman who should be looked down on for her desire to marry three people, the book does the exact opposite. 

A romance has to be written really, really well for me to enjoy it, and Lucy’s relationship with all three suitors is so sweet, as is their relationship with each other. Her chances of having a consensual, loving relationship in a way that would not even be accepted by many people now is only ruined by Dracula’s actions, which have undertones reminiscent of sexual assault, and therefore, a noncensual relationship between one man and one woman. 

Additionally, this book is a master at creating an ominous mood. The sequence focusing on Dracula’s time in the hold of a ship got its own film for a reason, and Mina noticing the bite marks on Lucy, and then slowly learning what they were caused by, reminds me of how folkloric vampires are commonly based on rabies in the best possible way. The book also symbolically uses dogs for a similar effect. Don’t worry, no puppies are harmed. 

This is also a book that appeals to fans of many different genres. It is a horror novel, adventure novel, mystery novel, and has action and romance sequences to boot. The characters are all so unique that there are many options for your favorite. Personally, mine is the shy and clumsy Dr. Seward, one of Lucy’s suitors. 

Regardless, the dedication these folks have to fighting Dracula makes me pumped up for some secret mission that I may or may not ever have to do. They shoot bats with guns, travel across Europe while being chased, assist in multiple cases of turning-into-a-vampire disease, and somehow, against all odds, make studying train schedules cool.  

“Dracula,” rightfully, has developed a cult following on social media due to Dracula Daily - a free email series that takes advantage of the book’s format of a series of letters, diary entries, and newspaper clippings. While it's off season right now, I do think it’s worth getting on the bandwagon on May 3 when Jonathan goes on his trip again.  

Come for the vampires, stay for everyone else, because did I mention there’s a cowboy?