Audible Book Review - Dracula by Bram Stocker (Audible Edition)

I haven't read a lot of classics. It's a major failing. However, one of them was Jane Erye, by Charlotte Bronte. When I asked my mother if it was considered a Gothic novel her reply was, "It's what Gothic novels aspired to be." With that said, one of the other classics I've read was Dracula by Bram Stocker. It may be considered the epitome of the Gothic novel. I know it wasn't the first story about vampires, but it was a rather defining one. I read it for a class in college and while I was hesitant I came to love it. With my over active imagination I never read it after 3:00 pm (yes, I was a 20+ year old college students), but I loved it. I've re-read it a couple of times since then. This last time I found a free copy on the kindle store, and said, why not? Come to find out, with some books, if you own the kindle version, Audible (which is owned by Amazon as you probably know) will give you a deal on the audio version. I scooped it up for 99 cents and while I didn't listen to it at once, I enjoyed it when I did. Here is a  link to the Audible page for the book. There are several versions of the book on Audible - let's face it, it's a classic and has been done several times. The version I got was a multi-cast recording, with each character having their own unique voice which helped add to the story. Led by Alan Cummings and Tim Curry (who doesn't have many lines), the other narrators were: Simon Vance, Katherine Kellgren, Susan Duerden, John Lee, Graeme Malcolm, Steve Crossley, Simon Prebble, James Adams, Nicola Barber, Victor Villar, Mare Vietor, and John Lee. They all did a great job and I really enjoyed the production.

Plot: Johnathan Harker is a new solicitor in his firm and has been sent to Transylvania (a mountainous region of Romania) to meet with Count Dracula. The Count wants to come to London and experience modern 19th century life. However, Johnathan begins to believe that the Count is going to imprison and eventually kill him as a way of keeping some deep secret. Anxious to see his fiancee, Mina Murray, Johnathan chances a daring escape. Mina herself is having difficulties with her best friend, Lucy Westenra. Lucy, always a restless sleeper, has wandered from her bed several nights now and appears to have caught a disease that leaves her pale and weak. Three men who have all courted her and loved her have donated their own blood to help her, yet it does not appear to be enough. Something is afoot and Mina is worried because she has not heard from Johnathan for a while as well.

My personal favorites: It is important to remember that the people who first read this book probably had little idea of vampire lore like we do today. Putting aside the current romantic idea of the vampire, Dracula is an awesome force of nature whose tells and give-a-ways. The first time I read the book I was screaming at Johnathan to pay attention to what was happening and to run, but of course the characters have no idea the danger they are in. I also find the character of Renfield interesting. The production was well done as well.

Considerations: This is a story about blood and death. There are some disturbing scenes but nothing related is over the top. As the story is written in the forms of letters and journal entries the descriptions are those of someone reflecting on the situation. I wouldn't have a problem recommending it to anyone who feels comfortable with Gothic novels or the idea of vampires.

I look forward to re-listening to this during Halloween or other times when the mood takes me. the production was well done and the story is still one of my favorites. The total length was just under 15 and a half hours.