Dracula

By: Bram Stoker

Narrated by: Anthony Valentine

Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Here is the most famous of all tales of vampirism and an enduring classic. Jonathan Harker journeys to Transylvania and the discovers the un-dead Count Dracula. Upon his return to England, Professor Van Helsing joins the dark struggle to overcome the evil Count. Only with a pursuit back to Transylvainia can the battle between good and evil finally prove decisive.

Public Domain (P)2006 Horse's Mouth

Perfect for 31 October...

Christopher Lee: Great actor with creepy baritone voice.

Bram Stoker's Dracula: The quintessential Gothic horror story.

This audiobook: Priceless.

Normally, I dislike abridgements, but I couldn't resist hearing Mr. Lee reading Dracula, and you shouldn't resist, either. The abridgement is well-done...I read the book back in high school and, as far as I can tell, nothing significant is missing. Christopher Lee's reading is superlative for this work..his voice was made for Gothic horror.

"Dracula" is vampirism like Grandmother used to make: No abstinent vampires who resist a young girl's charms for her own protection. No teenager angst. Nobody compares the Count to Adonis or comments on his wavy hair. Nobody sparkles. Count Dracula is eerily charming but quite malevolent, the evil undead who has no qualms about draining the lifeblood from the innocents around him. His minions include fellow vampires and a lunatic asylum inmate. The story is told from the viewpoint of his pursuers, and to some extent, his victims.

As good as "Dracula" is, Christopher Lee's narration enhances the story. Lee is a great actor telling a powerful story in a cross between epic narrative and a campfire ghost story.

Next Hallowe'en, pop this onto your iPod and enjoy!

Fantastic

Really can't express how great this version is. First off, it's Christopher Lee reading Dracula!!! But what's even better is, beyond that movie geek attraction, he does a fantastic job reading this!!! Almost more like he's acting it out, and playing all the character!! I had to remind myself that it was the same man doing all these voices. Most of it is, of course, read in the deep commanding baritone you know from the movies, but he switches to the breathless voice of the dying Lucy, the slight German accented Van Helsing to the Texas drawl of Quincy Morris. I wish more voice talent would give their audience this much effort and show this much respect to the original text. It is abridged, not too bad, haven't noticed anything left out or condensed that's a distraction. Can't speak highly enough of this version.