What could my voice possibly add to a consensus classic like Dracula? “It generally holds up and is worth your time” is probably the best I can do, but I’ll try to add more.

It’s not scary – or even all that tense or dramatic – and it starts spinning its wheels long before the final chapters. Still, it’s an interesting story told in a unique way, and is a classic for a reason.

Its idiosyncrasies – particularly in the dialogue, but also the pacing and overall structure – are of its time, and will be either charming or annoying. For me, there were many moments of unintentional hilarity and goofiness, and other times where I resorted to judicious skimming, but it’s all part of the experience.

I’m happy to have read it, even if I doubt I’ll ever read it – or Bram Stoker – again.

One final thing: it’s interesting that epistolary stories faded away in the 19th century, yet are immediately recognizable and comfortable for anyone that’s played a video game in the last 20 years. We may not write letters or read newspapers anymore, but gamers are well-versed in piecing together stories from notes, diaries, logs, and other little snippets of info.

If you enjoy that style of storytelling then I think you’ll like Dracula.