Dracula - The Undead product reviews

Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt would have had a hard job trying to resurrect the character of Dracula in the only authorised (by the Stoker family) book since the original book by the gothic master himself: Bram Stoker.

Fans of the original Dracula may find the re-setting of some of the dates to fit the new book a little unsettling, but this is done with good reason: to make history of the time fit a little better. The authors have thoroughly researched the plot, based, it is said, on the original sequal notes by Bram Stoker, but have added a twist by adding in many historical events and characters. Jack the Ripper and his murderous reign is brought in. So too, is Bram Stoker as himself. Also Henri Salmet (who became the first to fly to London from Paris) turns up; and the Titanic makes an appearance sailing off into history. Some of the original landmarks, such as Carfax Abby make a return and some much loved characters, though now quarter of a century older, are present too. Mina has not aged, Jonathon Harker is a bitter old man, Van Helsing is at the point of death, Lord Godalming avoids any contact with his previous friends.

A host of new characters in the form of Countess Bathory and Jonathon and Mina-s son Quincy taking the title roles in a fast paced thriller.

Fans of the Original Dracula will remember the story written in journal form, something the modern writers have avoided, preferring to use the more contemporary novel format which makes for a faster and more compelling read. The language at times seems to try to hark back to the language of the day with word usage such as perambulator, incandescent light bulb and electric torch lying anachronistically with modern syntax and word use ™ one thing that bothered me was seeing such neologism as 'bloodred- rather than 'blood-red- and there were a few other examples present.
Something else present was the overt sexuality, and this is perhaps because the modern reader wants to read the sex scenes; this I felt could have been more true to the original in that sex scenes were implied but the sensibilities of the time prevented one from saying as much.

Dracula, far from being killed at the end of the last book, is suddenly very much alive but hunting a more fearsome opponent in the form of Countess Bathory (fans of horror may know she was the countess who bathed in the blood of virgins to keep herself looking young, and the descendents of Countess Bathory have only just apologised for her crimes against the villages). Dracula is cast not in the fiendish being of lore, but as more of a sensitive new age guy, and this didn-t really sit well with me, despite the authors using a sub-plot of Bram Stoker hearing the story from someone else to explain the change in character. I-m not sure that the rehabilitation from horror personified to thoroughly nice caring chap works for me.

Bathory, has an excellent role in this book, and is a thoroughly believable creature of the night hunting her prey and toying with the people around her. And in many ways she outdoes many of the vampire genre today. I understand Hollywood is interested in doing the film version and this could be a fantastic part for someone.

All in all, this book has plenty to offer ™ a fast paced book that once you pick up you never want to put down and it did cause a few sleepless nights where I was sat up reading until the early hoursÂ-. There were a few laugh out loud moments (where perhaps the 'horror- was a little cliché) but on the whole it was a thoroughly enjoyable book and one to be recommended to all fans of the genre.