The Essential Dracula

About this book

Unquestionably the most famous vampire story ever written DRACULA has mesmerized readers since its publication in 1897. A gothic tale of escalating dread and dreamlike eroticism it tells how English man Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania to help his client Count Dracula move to London. But Dracula has other plans and imprisons Harker in his hellish castle. Soon afterward in England Dracula seduces and slowly drains the life from Lucy Westenra best friends of Harkers fiance Mina Murray. Thus begins his reign of terror unless Jonathan and Mina together with their friends Professor Abraham van Helsing and Dr. Seward can rid the world of the undead Count. Contain the complete original text of Stokers classic including the original first Draculas Guest THE ESSENTIAL DRACULA enhances your reading pleasure with a wealth of fascinating facts and legends about Dracula Transylvania vampires and more. Adding to the fun is the introductory essay by Leonard Wolfe which provides background on Stokers life and work examines the cultural history of the Dracula myth and traces the literary history of the vampire novel from John Polidoris THE VAMPIRE (1919) to Anne Rices THE VAMPIRE LESTAT. Youll also find illuminating commentary by leading contemporary writers including Harlan Ellison Robert Block Marion Zimmer Bradley and others; a selected filmography of major vampire films from F. W. Murnaus silent classic NOSFERATU (1922) to Francis Ford Coppolas blockbuster BRAM STOKERS DRACULA (1992); and dozens of illustrations including stunning artwork by Christopher Bing. The definitive guide to the Dracula tale this is one book no vampire fan should be without!