Reviewed by James, Berkelouw Mona Vale

Several years ago, with the interest in vampire fiction exploding (largely due to Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series), I resolved to read the most famous of all vampire novels, Bram Stoker’s Dracula. What I experienced was one of the most wonderfully terrifying journeys in literature I have ever taken.

Told largely in diary and journal extracts, the story revolves around a memorable cast of characters. At first appearing largely unconnected, their lives slowly intertwine, surrounding events instrumented by the menacing presence of Count Dracula.

The journalistic style of this work instills a certain sense of authenticity to the story. This presentation of fiction as fact is perhaps the book's greatest achievement and underpins its genuine ability to scare the reader. In particular, the Russian captain’s ship log, while beginning ordinarily enough, soon descends into a nightmarish account so credible I found myself sincerely and gleefully on edge.