Read by Theme discussion

I had dificulty getting through this. It just didn't hold my attention. Every time Van Helsing would start on one of his very long speeches, my mind would start to drift and I would quickly lose interest in the book. The one saving grace was Mina Harker née Murray. Bram Stoker was able to build a very strong, intelligent, and likable female character - impressive given the book was published in 1897.

I'm going to be rereading this at some point this month (and it would seem I'm running out of days... again). I last read it maybe six or seven years ago. If I recall correctly, I also felt Van Helsing was the low point of interest for me.

I'll have to see if I feel the same upon rereading. ;)

As a character, he was a very sweet man. He was just a bit of a yaker!

Oddly, I kind of liked the way Van Helsing talked in the novel, with just enough linguistic quirks thrown in to denote that English probably wasn't his first language. (Given that a lot of people I know here in Austria have similar quirks with their English, it made me smile in recognition rather than frown in annoyance.)

Oh no, it wasn't that. He just talked too much. I have never been one for monologues. I am too easily distracted and during long speeches my mind starts drifting to everything but the book. Then I have to read the section 3 times to get everything, which makes for a long/slow read.

Do you know, I never noticed the monologuing?

It's amazing what different readers will and will not notice in a book.

Jaclyn I hated Dracula and it was largely due to Van Helding... But all the characters prattled on. dont know how it became the classic it is with such stupid characters. I liked Renfield but he is a minor character. Dracula himself is barely in the novel after Jonathan leaves his castle. One of the few books you could say go see the movie instead

I only got about halfway through the audiobook before August ended, so I'll be slowly chugging along with this during September, too.

This time around, Van Helsing doesn't seem to be bothering me at all. I suspect that might have a lot to do with listening along instead of reading, however.

But I would definitely recommend the book, if only for the historical value. It codified a subgenre and monster, after all, even if it didn't create either. Of course, anyone who goes into this expecting a modern, fast-paced, overtly sexual vampire story is likely to be in for a big disappointment. But it has a subtle charm and wit, and I really like that.