Simon & Schuster Dracula

good book

I have read Dracula before. This is not it. This book reads like a poor translation from English to some other language and then back to English. I only made it through two pages before I just gave up. I gave one star because it is not possible to give zero.The first sentence: Left Munich at eight:35 P.M., on 1st May, arriving Vienna early next morning; need to have arrived at 6:46, however train became an hour overdue.My paperback version reads: Left Munich at 8:35 P.M., on 1st May, arriving at Vienna early next morning; should have arrived at 6:46, but train was an hour late.Describing dinner, "done up some way with red pepper" has somehow become "carried out up a few way with red pepper". Ugh! It only gets worse from there. Don not waste your money. There are other versions - buy one of them. I want my money back.

The story itself is a classic example of horror fiction and needs no description or criticism.However, the editing, formatting, and so-called introductions are AWFUL in this edition. Character names are misspelled (Renfield is called Enfield in the introduction .) Font size is inconsistent, page breaks are random at times. Vlad Tepes, the inspiration for Stoker's antagonist, is called Lad.A great novel ruined by what seems to be a junior high book report for an introduction.

You know that scene in a horror movie when it gets dark and ominous music begins to play and you know that at any moment the killer is going to suddenly appear and murder everyone in a horrible fashion. That intense build up, and the anxiety of wondering exactly when you’re going to be scared, because you already know it’s coming. That’s this entire book. I had to take breaks at times to read some short stories that were a bit lighter, because the unnerving fear for the characters, as we the reader know what’s happening, could be a bit much at times. However, it’s easy to see why this is a classic, and how it has inspired others to delve into the dark world of vampires. Though, considering I’ve mainly read paranormal romance, it’s a bit disconcerting to see how the original was so completely evil. The vampires in this are soulless, not misunderstood, and kill children and anyone that gets in their way without remorse. More so, it’s incredible all the powers they are given, not just immortality and strength, but real mystical sort of powers, that I wish hadn’t been pushed off to the side in the other stories I’ve read. Beyond all of that though, I don’t believe I have ever come across a story written in this style, and it was this style that really made the tale such an intriguing one. Sure there have been plenty who have done rotating first person, but this is told in pieces of people’s diaries, the letters they’ve written to others, and even newspaper clippings. You’re getting the events after the characters have experience them and have pondered over them, as they try to understand what exactly is going on. Because of this you get to see how it all slowly melds together, and what each character really is thinking, and a much more personal aspect of the story that allows you to really feel for each of them as if these were actual historical letters that someone has stitched together. And I do so hope people were ever like this, this goodness and bravery and the way in which they talk so passionately about everything. It’s really a wonderful book. Though I would advise getting a version that has footnotes to explain certain things. Such as words that are no longer used in this way. As well as some of things that are referenced. I’m sure you could easily enjoy this book without such, but it was rather nice to have.

Unfortunately the author's name (BRAM STOKER) is spelled wrong on the cover and spine. It is correct on the inside. I'm not trying 2 be picking but I'm a collector or bram stoker's dracula. The publish date is supposed to be October 10, 2019 but it is actually December 26, 2019 (I wanted this book 4 the cover and the publish date which is my birthday). I am not 100% happy.

Entire book was nothing but a smeared photocopy. Unreadable.