Although Stoker did not invent the vampire, the novel's influence on the popularity of vampires has been singularly responsible for many theatrical, film and television interpretations since its publication. Required listening for any fan of the genre!
Public Domain (P)2011 Trout Lake Media
A part-time buffoon and ersatz scholar specializing in BS, pedantry, schmaltz and cultural coprophagia.
"Captures Anxieties/Stresses of Proto-modernist Age"
Listened to with the kids on the way to school for a month. I could probably write a whole piece on how Stoker's treatment of women ticked off my 10-year-old daughter. Mina Harker and Lucy's wedding fixation and Victorian helplessness drove my own little Emmeline nuts. My daughter also couldn't stand the whole: Mina was as 'smart as a man' attitude.
Otherwise, Dracula is still a fascinating piece of gothic fiction that captures the anxieties and stresses of a proto-modernist age (sex, feminism, technology, scientific method, xenophobia, colonialism, etc).
Marc Nelson's narration captures the characters without distracting from Stoker's story.
"Classic!"
Just finished this classic for the first time. Though I couldn't get Keanu Reeves out of my mind while visualizing the character I found the book to be very well written but a little tedious at times. This book would have been much better had my mind not been so tainted by all the vampire crap we've grown up with especially of late.
"meh"
A
A
A
A
Marc 's narration was that of just one step above a computer. The sentences were fragmented, and monotone, except when he did foreign accents other than English. Those were very good!
"Unexpected story"
No, I don't think I would listen to Dracula again because I can easily remember the story on my own. It was good and I liked it quite a bit; however, it wasn't so complicated that I need to listen again to hone in on key details.
I think that it is interesting to compare Dracula to current day vampire stories. Although Dracula is the source for vampire information, the actual story is much more mature and well-written than tales today.
No, I haven't listened to Marc Nelson's other performances.
I was really shocked when partway through the story (following the perspective of only one person) it switched to the perspectives of multiple other people! Although I'm sure the entire story is about vampires (and specifically Dracula), I expected the one perspective and story line to continue throughout the entire novel.
"Nicely done, great price."
I really enjoyed this audio edition - the narrator was not the most dramatic reader, but he did a fine job. Can't beat the price, either.
I'm a big fan of si-fi, but I'm finding that a love for mysteries budding up in me. I also like a lot of nonfiction.
"Unique writing style"
Dracula was written in a rather unique style. It is actually a series of journal entries and letters. I found it weird at first, but later I got to like. It allows the author to present the story from different point of view and make it clear from what point of view it is from. It also encouraged me to keep up my journal. (Nothing about vampires in mine though.) It is also great to see where all the popular views of vampires comes from. I was a little disappointed about the climax. Dracula just laid there, and he didn't seem like he was the enemy, just a target. I still recommend it to any one who is into vampires. It is what set the standard.
The performance by Marc Nelson was not very accurate. I like to read along in a lot of my books, as I did on this one, and for that reason he made a lot of mistakes. I know that a most readers make mistakes, but not anywhere near as many as this one did. In fact he skipped over entire lines in his reading.
"Poor Narrator"
Marc Nelson's narrating is very grating, so much so that I have stopped listening halfway through to purchase another version by a different narrator. Mr. Nelson's voice is high and mostly monotone with only very slight variations. He uses a slightly higher pitch for female characters. The only other distinction he makes between characters is to give Dracula, Van Helsing, and some minor characters accents. He also has odd and unnecessary pauses, which makes the reading very halting. Apparently this is so significant that his version is a full 2 hours longer than the other unabridged version I've just purchased. I'm currently only about 5 hours in, and I can't imagine spending 11 more hours listening to this. This is not worth even $3. I feel like I should apologize to Mr. Nelson for such a harsh review, but since this appears to be the only audiobook he has narrated (or at least the only book available on Audible), I suspect he already knows that narration is not his true calling.
"Great Vampire Book, Well Read"
Yes, It is a good book and very well read. It is the original Vampire book and an enjoyable story
Figuring out that Duracula had come to England
When the vampire hunters corner the new girl vampire Lucy.
The Oldest and Still the Best: Dracula
No
"great story"
the real dracula
I could not compare this to any
no
mena and johnathan of course and renfield because of his mental illness after staying at Draculas castle van Helsing the hero Lucy how he used her and drained her of life Dracula
because he's Dracula. :)
rent the DvD before or after you hear the book it is a great refresher and you realize how long the real story is , I wish they would have done a movie that matched the leanth of the book and got everthing in but it was still good.