Dracula [Audible Edition]

By: Bram Stoker

Narrated by: Alan Cumming, Tim Curry, Simon Vance, Katherine Kellgren, Susan Duerden, John Lee, Graeme Malcolm, Steven Crossley

Length: 15 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award, Distinguished Achievement in Production, 2013

Audie Award, Multi-voiced Performance, 2013

Audie Award Nominee, Classic, 2013

Because of the widespread awareness of the story of the evil Transylvanian count and the success of numerous film adaptations that have been created over the years, the modern audience hasn't had a chance to truly appreciate the unknowing dread that readers would have felt when reading Bram Stoker's original 1897 manuscript. Most modern productions employ campiness or sound effects to try to bring back that gothic tension, but we've tried something different. By returning to Stoker's original storytelling structure - a series of letters and journal entries voiced by Jonathan Harker, Dr. Van Helsing, and other characters - with an all-star cast of narrators, we've sought to recapture its originally intended horror and power.

This production of Dracula is presented by what is possibly the best assemblage of narrating talent ever for one audiobook: Emmy Award nominees Alan Cumming and Tim Curry plus an all-star cast of Audie award-winners Simon Vance (The Millenium Trilogy), Katherine Kellgren (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), Susan Duerden (The Tiger’s Wife), John Lee (Supergods) and customer favorites Graeme Malcolm (Skippy Dies), Steven Crossley (The Oxford Time Travel series), Simon Prebble (The Baroque Cycle), James Adams (Letters to a Young Contrarian), Nicola Barber (The Rose Garden), Victor Villar-Hauser (Fun Inc.), and Marc Vietor (1Q84). These stellar narrators have been cast as follows:

Alan Cumming as Dr. Seward
Simon Vance as Jonathan Harker
Katy Kellgren as Mina Murray/Harker
Susan Duerden as Lucy Westenra
Tim Curry as Van Helsing
Graeme Malcolm as Dailygraph correspondent
Steven Crossley as Zookeeper’s account and reporter
Simon Prebble as Varna
James Adams as Patrick Hennessey
Nicola Barber as Sister Agatha
Victor Villar-Hauser as Arthur Holmwood
Marc Vietor as Quincey Morris
John Lee as Introductory paragraph, various letters

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Listening to this full-cast performance turns out to be remarkably suspenseful and chilling…The superlative cast lends this powerful production the diversity that is required by the structure of the novel…Each actor employs various accents, infusing into the characters vibrant emphasis, urgency, and dread." ( AudioFile)

Great Narrators

If you could sum up Dracula [Audible Edition] in three words, what would they be?

Great listening experience.

What did you like best about this story?

The usage of old-timey technology and strong female characters.

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not applicable to me.

Who was the most memorable character of Dracula [Audible Edition] and why?

I don't remember her name, but she was a strong female protagonist. She utilized the typewriter and train-timecharts to beat Drac.

Any additional comments?

Nope.

More suspenseful than expected!

I'm working through classic literature, didn't read enough in college. Choose this for Halloween and it was perfect. A classic that everyone should know.

Best performed audiobook I have listend to

Where does Dracula [Audible Edition] rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is the best book I have read and listened to since becoming an audiobook member.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Mina because she was loved by all, compassionate, intelligent and an overall strong character. At one point I was disappointed when the men tried to keep Mina outside of the plans to go after Dracula. But then was happy when they included her in their plans to bring down the evil creature.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

Truthfully I tried to identify the voices of Alan Cummings and Tim Curry; voices I thought I would know so well. But the narration was so good that I couldn't identify which was which. All the narrators were excellent in recounting Van Helsing's accent through their own character's voice. ie. Mina's journal, Seward's journal etc. Each time one quoted Van Helsing there was a wonderful imitation of his accent. But it was the superb narration all over which made this outstanding for me. Lately I have been choosing to read my books on my Kindle with Immersion reading and I love that my reading speed is increasing and using both has also improved my comprehension.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Truthfully, this was a book I savored over several days. There were a few parts when I just couldn't put it down and had to read on a little further before going to sleep.

Any additional comments?

This is certainly an old familiar tale, but my previous knowledge was based on the Bela Lugosi movie version, and I am so glad that I decided to read this classic itself. I strongly strongly urge the use of immersion reading for getting the full feel of a book. I think it would be a great way to teach reading to students as well. It's a wonderful experience with my Kindle Fire.

Everything was great.. except Dracula.

Fantastic performance. Underwhelming villain. Not nearly enough of the Count himself. Very compelling protagonists though!

Bloody Fantastic!

Any additional comments?

I have been on a dry spell lately with regards to finding a decent audio book. Most of my last few reviews have 2 or 3 stars and trust me I get no satisfaction from that.I am so thrilled that I found this gem amongst all of the junk out there.This book succeeds...no excels, on all levels: The story is fantastic, interesting, compelling and thrilling; the narration is spot on. I am not usually a big fan of a large cast in audio books but this format is perfectly suited for it. With readings from various journals, letters & diaries it works like a charm.I think this sums it up: I listen while I drive and I didn't want to stop listening and kept looking for excuses to get back in my car!I love the older stories & had read this 30 years ago in text. It really is still one of the best vampire stories ever!

Excellent on all counts!

A fantastic book that was masterfully narrated. The various actors allowing the various journal entries, news clippings and what not to feel authentic as each has it's own unique voice as well as perspective.

Pure Professionalism

All performers gave polished performances, but I wish they would have slowed their speaking when speaking of van Helsing. Tim Curry's slower speech pattern, post stroke, is run roughshod over by the other actors "exuberance".

But my hat is off to Tim Curry's professionalism. Again, post stroke and still gives van Helsing a bit of a Dutch accent. van Helsing's last memo...you could almost feel the gloom and dread of the castle's old chapel through him narrating.

All-star review for an all-star cast

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would definitely recommend Bram Stoker's Dracula. The story is a familiar one, but it did not stop me from getting caught up in the suspense as the plot unfolded.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dracula [Audible Edition]?

One of the most memorable moments of Dracula was when Jonathan Harker recalled being trapped in Dracula's castle and finding the coffin filled with earth.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Jonathan Harker was my favorite character as performed by Simon Vance.

If you could take any character from Dracula [Audible Edition] out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would take Sister Agatha out to dinner. I feel like she had more to tell than what we got to hear.

Excellent Cast Recording

This is an all-time classic story. It is given a worthy audio version with a great ensemble cast pulling off a wonder version of Dracula. One to enjoy listening to more than once!

Fantastic Creature Feature!

I have always enjoyed the story of Dracula, whether reading it in Highschool or seeing the many variations of in Film. This audio version truly brings alive the Count and his motley crew of Vampire Hunters lead by Van Helsing. The intense reading of actions really got the blood flowing. Alan Cumming and Tim Curry were remarkable. A strong recommendation from me!