Get Your Free Audiobook
-
Dracula [Audible Edition]
- Narrated by: Alan Cumming, Tim Curry, Simon Vance, Katherine Kellgren, Susan Duerden, John Lee, Graeme Malcolm, Steven Crossley
- Length: 15 hrs and 28 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Classics
People who bought this also bought...
-
Frankenstein
- Written by: Mary Shelley
- Narrated by: Dan Stevens
- Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Narrator Dan Stevens ( Downton Abbey) presents an uncanny performance of Mary Shelley's timeless gothic novel, an epic battle between man and monster at its greatest literary pitch. In trying to create life, the young student Victor Frankenstein unleashes forces beyond his control, setting into motion a long and tragic chain of events that brings Victor to the very brink of madness. How he tries to destroy his creation, as it destroys everything Victor loves, is a powerful story of love, friendship, scientific hubris, and horror.
-
-
Dan Stevens is a master narrator
- By Mosh (@book.and.a.cuppa) on 13-05-20
-
Crime and Punishment
- Written by: Fyodor Dostoevsky, Constance Garnett (translator)
- Narrated by: Anthony Heald
- Length: 20 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this intense detective thriller instilled with philosophical, religious, and social commentary, Dostoevsky studies the psychological impact upon a desperate and impoverished student when he murders a despicable pawnbroker, transgressing moral law to ultimately "benefit humanity".
-
-
Great book, AMAZING narrator
- By Taus on 15-11-17
-
Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection
- Written by: Arthur Conan Doyle, Stephen Fry - introductions
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 71 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ever since he made his first appearance in A Study In Scarlet, Sherlock Holmes has enthralled and delighted millions of fans throughout the world. Now Audible is proud to present Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection, read by Stephen Fry. A lifelong fan of Doyle's detective fiction, Fry has narrated the complete works of Sherlock Holmes - four novels and five collections of short stories.
-
-
The Best Buy of all time
- By Ehsanullah Shaikh on 29-12-18
-
Don Quixote
- Written by: Miguel de Cervantes, John Ormsby (translated by)
- Narrated by: Roy McMillan
- Length: 36 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The most influential work of the entire Spanish literary canon and a founding work of modern Western literature, Don Quixote is also one of the greatest works ever written. Hugely entertaining but also moving at times, this episodic novel is built on the fantasy life of one Alonso Quixano, who lives with his niece and housekeeper in La Mancha. Quixano, obsessed by tales of knight errantry, renames himself ‘Don Quixote’ and with his faithful servant Sancho Panza, goes on a series of quests.
-
-
Roy Mcmillans voice recreates a wonder.
- By Anonymous User on 17-03-19
-
Fire and Blood
- 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones (A Targaryen History) (A Song of Ice and Fire)
- Written by: George R.R. Martin
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 27 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Set 300 years before the events in A Song of Ice and Fire, Fire and Blood is the definitive history of the Targaryens in Westeros as told by Archmaester Gyldayn, and chronicles the conquest that united the Seven Kingdoms under Targaryen rule through to the Dance of the Dragons: the Targaryen civil war that nearly ended their dynasty forever.
-
-
Exceptional
- By Wakaru Shullai on 27-10-20
-
The Count of Monte Cristo
- Written by: Alexandre Dumas
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 46 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dashing young Edmond Dantès has everything: a fine reputation, an appointment as captain of a ship, and the heart of a beautiful woman. But his perfect life is shattered when three jealous friends conspire to destroy him. Falsely accused of a political crime, Dantès is locked away for life in the infamous Chateau d'If prison. But it is there that Dantès learns of a vast hidden treasure.
-
-
Why don't they write these anymore?
- By Kumar Jayant on 10-09-20
-
Frankenstein
- Written by: Mary Shelley
- Narrated by: Dan Stevens
- Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Narrator Dan Stevens ( Downton Abbey) presents an uncanny performance of Mary Shelley's timeless gothic novel, an epic battle between man and monster at its greatest literary pitch. In trying to create life, the young student Victor Frankenstein unleashes forces beyond his control, setting into motion a long and tragic chain of events that brings Victor to the very brink of madness. How he tries to destroy his creation, as it destroys everything Victor loves, is a powerful story of love, friendship, scientific hubris, and horror.
-
-
Dan Stevens is a master narrator
- By Mosh (@book.and.a.cuppa) on 13-05-20
-
Crime and Punishment
- Written by: Fyodor Dostoevsky, Constance Garnett (translator)
- Narrated by: Anthony Heald
- Length: 20 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this intense detective thriller instilled with philosophical, religious, and social commentary, Dostoevsky studies the psychological impact upon a desperate and impoverished student when he murders a despicable pawnbroker, transgressing moral law to ultimately "benefit humanity".
-
-
Great book, AMAZING narrator
- By Taus on 15-11-17
-
Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection
- Written by: Arthur Conan Doyle, Stephen Fry - introductions
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 71 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ever since he made his first appearance in A Study In Scarlet, Sherlock Holmes has enthralled and delighted millions of fans throughout the world. Now Audible is proud to present Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection, read by Stephen Fry. A lifelong fan of Doyle's detective fiction, Fry has narrated the complete works of Sherlock Holmes - four novels and five collections of short stories.
-
-
The Best Buy of all time
- By Ehsanullah Shaikh on 29-12-18
-
Don Quixote
- Written by: Miguel de Cervantes, John Ormsby (translated by)
- Narrated by: Roy McMillan
- Length: 36 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The most influential work of the entire Spanish literary canon and a founding work of modern Western literature, Don Quixote is also one of the greatest works ever written. Hugely entertaining but also moving at times, this episodic novel is built on the fantasy life of one Alonso Quixano, who lives with his niece and housekeeper in La Mancha. Quixano, obsessed by tales of knight errantry, renames himself ‘Don Quixote’ and with his faithful servant Sancho Panza, goes on a series of quests.
-
-
Roy Mcmillans voice recreates a wonder.
- By Anonymous User on 17-03-19
-
Fire and Blood
- 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones (A Targaryen History) (A Song of Ice and Fire)
- Written by: George R.R. Martin
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 27 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Set 300 years before the events in A Song of Ice and Fire, Fire and Blood is the definitive history of the Targaryens in Westeros as told by Archmaester Gyldayn, and chronicles the conquest that united the Seven Kingdoms under Targaryen rule through to the Dance of the Dragons: the Targaryen civil war that nearly ended their dynasty forever.
-
-
Exceptional
- By Wakaru Shullai on 27-10-20
-
The Count of Monte Cristo
- Written by: Alexandre Dumas
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 46 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dashing young Edmond Dantès has everything: a fine reputation, an appointment as captain of a ship, and the heart of a beautiful woman. But his perfect life is shattered when three jealous friends conspire to destroy him. Falsely accused of a political crime, Dantès is locked away for life in the infamous Chateau d'If prison. But it is there that Dantès learns of a vast hidden treasure.
-
-
Why don't they write these anymore?
- By Kumar Jayant on 10-09-20
-
The Mysterious Affair at Styles [Classic Tales Edition]
- Written by: Agatha Christie
- Narrated by: B. J. Harrison
- Length: 6 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tragedy strikes at the estate at Styles. An old woman dies from what appears to be strychnine poisoning. The funny little Belgian, Hercule Poirot, is called in to investigate, though he appears to disregard every bit of damaging evidence. Has the great detective lost his touch?
-
Oliver Twist
- Written by: Charles Dickens
- Narrated by: Matt Kelly
- Length: 16 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The story of Oliver Twist - orphaned, and set upon by evil and adversity from his first breath - shocked readers when it was published. After running away from the workhouse and pompous beadle Mr Bumble, Oliver finds himself lured into a den of thieves peopled by vivid and memorable characters - the Artful Dodger, vicious burglar Bill Sikes, his dog Bull's Eye, and prostitute Nancy, all watched over by cunning master-thief Fagin.
-
The Spy and the Traitor
- Written by: Ben MacIntyre
- Narrated by: Ben Macintyre
- Length: 14 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On a warm July evening in 1985, a middle-aged man stood on the pavement of a busy avenue in the heart of Moscow, holding a plastic carrier bag. In his grey suit and tie, he looked like any other Soviet citizen. The bag alone was mildly conspicuous, printed with the red logo of Safeway, the British supermarket.
-
-
Most exhilarating and exciting start to finish
- By Anandha Krishnan on 14-01-21
-
Classic BBC Radio Horror: Dracula
- Written by: Bram Stoker
- Narrated by: Frederick Jaeger, Phyllis Logan, Bernard Holley
- Length: 3 hrs and 19 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Frederick Jaeger stars in a BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of the legend that has haunted the imagination of millions for over a hundred years! Summoned to the forbidden heart of the Carpathian mountains, in the depths of Transylvania, Jonathan Harker journeys to Castle Dracula. There he becomes the unwitting prisoner of the mysterious nobleman whom local legend insists is nosferatu, the vampire…
-
The Handmaid's Tale
- Written by: Margaret Atwood
- Narrated by: Elisabeth Moss, Bradley Whitford, Amy Landecker,
- Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Republic of Gilead offers Offred only one function: to breed. If she deviates, she will, like dissenters, be hanged at the wall or sent out to die slowly of radiation sickness. But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire - neither Offred's nor that of the two men on which her future hangs. Brilliantly conceived and executed, this powerful evocation of 21st-century America gives full rein to Margaret Atwood's devastating irony, wit and astute perception.
-
-
Elizabeth Moss's voice is too sinister
- By Kirti on 01-02-20
-
Hannibal Rising
- Written by: Thomas Harris
- Narrated by: Thomas Harris
- Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Longlisted for the Audiobook Download of the Year, 2007.
Hannibal Lecter emerges from the nightmare of the Eastern Front, a boy in the snow, mute, with a chain around his neck. He seems utterly alone, but he has brought his demons with him. Hannibal's uncle, a noted painter, finds him in a Soviet orphanage and brings him to France, where Hannibal will live with his uncle and his uncle's beautiful and exotic wife, Lady Murasaki.
-
Ulysses
- Written by: James Joyce
- Narrated by: Jim Norton
- Length: 27 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ulysses is regarded by many as the single most important novel of the 20th century. It tells the story of one day in Dublin, June 16th 1904, largely through the eyes of Stephen Dedalus (Joyce's alter ego from Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man) and Leopold Bloom, an advertising salesman. Both begin a normal day, and both set off on a journey around the streets of Dublin, which eventually brings them into contact with one another.
-
Mythos
- Written by: Stephen Fry
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 15 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Greek myths are amongst the greatest stories ever told, passed down through millennia and inspiring writers and artists as varied as Shakespeare, Michelangelo, James Joyce and Walt Disney. They are embedded deeply in the traditions, tales and cultural DNA of the West. You'll fall in love with Zeus, marvel at the birth of Athena, wince at Cronus and Gaia's revenge on Ouranos, weep with King Midas and hunt with the beautiful and ferocious Artemis.
-
-
Fantastic
- By Rahul Bengali on 24-04-19
-
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
- Written by: Douglas Adams
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One Thursday lunchtime the Earth gets unexpectedly demolished to make way for a new hyperspace bypass. For Arthur Dent, who has only just had his house demolished that morning, this seems already to be more than he can cope with.
-
-
Stephen Fry is THE best narrator. Period.
- By Anonymous User on 05-05-20
-
The Man-Eating Leopard of Rudraprayag
- Written by: Jim Corbett
- Narrated by: Adnan Kapadia
- Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Most of Jim Corbett's books contain collections of stories that recount adventures tracking and shooting man-eaters in the Indian Himalayas. This volume, however, consists of a single story, often considered the most exciting of all Corbett's jungle tales. He gives a carefully detailed account of a notorious leopard that terrorized life in the hills of the colonial United Provinces. This story represents Corbett's most sustained and unique effort.
-
-
Brilliant book, very poor narration
- By Aritra Bose on 31-12-19
-
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Book 1
- Written by: J.K. Rowling
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!
-
-
Amazing story
- By Joanne Ahmed on 01-01-19
-
Jurassic Park
- A Novel
- Written by: Michael Crichton
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 15 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An astonishing technique for recovering and cloning dinosaur DNA has been discovered. Now humankind’s most thrilling fantasies have come true. Creatures extinct for eons roam Jurassic Park with their awesome presence and profound mystery, and all the world can visit them - for a price.
-
-
Magnificent
- By Koustabh Naiya on 11-12-20
Followers of the popular vampire literary and film interpretations of recent years might be blasé about another performance of the exquisitely written novel that started it all. But listening to this full-cast performance turns out to be remarkably suspenseful and chilling. The superlative cast lends this powerful production the diversity that is required by the structure of the novel, which includes journal entries and letters. Each actor employs various accents, infusing into the characters vibrant emphasis, urgency, and dread. The famed vampire Count Dracula leaves a swath of exsanguinated bodies in his wake as he attempts to relocate from Transylvania to England in 1897, stalked by the brave Van Helsing.
Publisher's Summary
Audie Award, Distinguished Achievement in Production, 2013
Audie Award, Multi-voiced Performance, 2013
Audie Award Nominee, Classic, 2013
Because of the widespread awareness of the story of the evil Transylvanian count and the success of numerous film adaptations that have been created over the years, the modern audience hasn't had a chance to truly appreciate the unknowing dread that readers would have felt when reading Bram Stoker's original 1897 manuscript. Most modern productions employ campiness or sound effects to try to bring back that gothic tension, but we've tried something different. By returning to Stoker's original storytelling structure - a series of letters and journal entries voiced by Jonathan Harker, Dr. Van Helsing, and other characters - with an all-star cast of narrators, we've sought to recapture its originally intended horror and power.
This production of Dracula is presented by what is possibly the best assemblage of narrating talent ever for one audiobook: Emmy Award nominees Alan Cumming and Tim Curry plus an all-star cast of Audie award-winners Simon Vance (The Millenium Trilogy), Katherine Kellgren (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), Susan Duerden (The Tiger’s Wife), John Lee (Supergods) and customer favorites Graeme Malcolm (Skippy Dies), Steven Crossley (The Oxford Time Travel series), Simon Prebble (The Baroque Cycle), James Adams (Letters to a Young Contrarian), Nicola Barber (The Rose Garden), Victor Villar-Hauser (Fun Inc.), and Marc Vietor (1Q84). These stellar narrators have been cast as follows:
Alan Cumming as Dr. Seward
Simon Vance as Jonathan Harker
Katy Kellgren as Mina Murray/Harker
Susan Duerden as Lucy Westenra
Tim Curry as Van Helsing
Graeme Malcolm as Dailygraph correspondent
Steven Crossley as Zookeeper’s account and reporter
Simon Prebble as Varna
James Adams as Patrick Hennessey
Nicola Barber as Sister Agatha
Victor Villar-Hauser as Arthur Holmwood
Marc Vietor as Quincey Morris
John Lee as Introductory paragraph, various letters
Critic Reviews
More from the same
What listeners say about Dracula [Audible Edition]
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anirban
- 09-06-19
Excellent narration of a brilliant book.
I really wanted to read this book but never found a copy. And i was not wrong to have done so. As a bonus, i enjoyed the brilliant portrayal of the characters but the able cast. Thanks.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Vinit
- 07-05-20
Too many accents, too hard to follow. very poor.
The story telling was too dull and boring and hard to follow. the end was also very abrupt and felt unsatisfactory.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 18-04-20
masterfully narrated, and an amazing thriller
the performance of each character was unique, easy to tell thats it's performed by professionals In my opinion the book is superior to all adaptation all characters are truly afraid and don't have complete knowledge from the start it's extremely thrilling to see the story unfold and Dracula himself if much more powerful than the ones in the adaptations it's a must read read and I'm my opinion this is the best audio version you will find
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nicole
- 15-08-14
Mina: A Heroine for the Ages
Insomnia is my thing lately. Don’t sleep; stay up forever. Might as well write, right? So here it is, a book review. I know you’ve been dying for it, and I gotta say, I’ve been dying to write it.
Dracula was one of those books that I pretended to read in high school and then glossed over in college. Horror isn’t really my thing (Although Stephen King is probably one of my favorite writers ever. His genre of choice is unfortunate). Recently, I decided that I wanted to read more classics and so I bought a few on Audible. Audible is the bomb.
They had an Audible Studios edition of Dracula narrated by a full cast and oh, my. It was perfection. Alan Cumming was Dr. Seward. Katherine Kellgren was Mina Harker, Simon Vance was Jonathan Harker, and Tim Curry was Dr. Van Helsing. The narration was spot on. The narrator who did the voice of Lucy was irritating (her name escapes me at the moment), so I found Lucy irritating, but I think I would have anyway. Audible did a terrific job producing this.
The story is told in a series of diary entries, letters, and telegrams (the official word for those are epistolary novels, fyi). I didn’t know that before, or I might have read it sooner. I have an affinity for stories told in this manner. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is one of my favorites for that exact reason. It credibly shows what each character was thinking or feeling without putting the reader in the omniscient perspective. It was perfect for the chilling story which was told.
The plot differed widely from the Dracula I had come to know through popular culture. Dracula is truly creepy and super old. He’s not redeemable, not good, but pure evil. And ridiculously smart. This isn’t Frankenstein’s monster or some mindless Edward-like vamp. This is a genius who pits his wits against a motley crew of Britain’s finest.
Dr. Van Helsing is also brilliant, but definitely needs the help of his little band.
The story starts with Jonathan visiting Dracula’s castle and realizing what he is. It’s very creepy and I had to stop listening for a time so I could reasonably get over it. Then Lucy becomes a vampire and thus the Band of Awesome is born. That’s just the title I gave them in my head. You’ve got Arthur, Lucy’s former fiancé. He’s a bit squeamish, but willing to undergo any trial to pay Dracula back for changing his darling girl. Then there are her two other suitors who were rejected: Dr. Seward (my personal favorite), and Quincy. Seward runs an asylum and Quincy is an American Cowboy. I love that Americans are represented in this tale. Seward calls Van Helsing, who knows more about Lucy’s “disease”, to help heal her. However, they fail and she is transformed into a child-eating vamp. Then Jonathan and Mina join the group as they discover they have all endured similar circumstances and that a grave danger faces England should Dracula move to London, as is his intent.
I have to say, Bram Stoker wrote women rather well for a man of his time. Wilhelmina is no delicate flower in need of rescuing. She is rescued, but she’s strong and contributes to her salvation by keeping spirits high and organizing all the information and, in the end, going with Van Helsing to Transylvania. I admire her relationship with Jonathan so much. He trusts her to do her own thing and respects her strength, mentally, emotionally, and morally. And she loves and respects him and his passion for his work. She wants to be a part of his life and he wants to be a part of hers. It’s a really awesome relationship. They are basically the perfect couple and were it not for the pesky vampire they would have had a delightful life.
I don’t want to tell all that happens because I enjoyed listening to it so much. Even if you’ve read it before, the Audible version is golden; you should go listen to it. It’s intense and beautiful. It’s intensely beautiful. This book is definitely on my favorites list.
78 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- WickedGoodYarn
- 11-03-12
Well Read, Throughly Enjoyable!
Would you consider the audio edition of Dracula to be better than the print version?
I feel the audio version makes the characters truly alive!!! When I read a book, I
What did you like best about this story?
Alan Cumming's Dr. Seward and Katherine Kellgren's portrayal of Mina Harker.
What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?
They brought this characters to life. I felt I was experiencing the story first hand with all it's horror and nuances.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I listen in my car because my commute is long. I had to force myself to turn off the car and get into work. I didn't want to stop listening!!!
55 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Angel Toribio
- 23-10-18
Not what i anticipated but great just the same.
This isn't your average First Person or Third person novel. instead It takes the form of multiple different characters' journal entries. This could have been confusing in Audio-book form but Audible took care of that by bringing on a full cast of narrators. Now while that does make the separate journals easier to follow, it presents a problem. Occasionally, different characters (narrators) will quote different characters other than their own. (narrators will do impression of other characters.) at these times it becomes clear that the various narrators all recorded their lines separately. So it can become a little confusing early on when Person A and Person Bare both quoting Van Helsing, but sound nothing alike. The book itself is very entertaining and can get plenty spooky. give it a shot.
10 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Janice
- 26-08-13
Back to basics
I am one of many who have only known the infamous Count through Hollywood productions. Horror has never been my favorite genre, and I found Bela Lugosi too campy, and Gary Oldman too bizarre for either to be very frightening. The only motivation I had to even select this book was my admiration of most of the fine cast and the rave reviews for a classic. A majority of reviewers have already praised the reading, and I will simply say that I concur.
What made this an outstanding story to me is that the count is NOT the central character. The mistake the films made was in making the best written characters mere supporting players to the count whom we see the least of. The power of Dracula is his lack of physical presence – half the thrill is the anticipation, and Stoker plays that card better than the film makers ever did. His tale is robust with the superstitions and beliefs of the day, whether religious, medical, psychological, criminal or supernatural, giving it a wonderful period feeling. There is enough detail to spark the imagination, and enough restraint to let the imagination provide the fear. By learning the story through the diaries and letters of the principal characters, we are intimately caught up in their horror, giving us someone and something to root for.
The writing is excellent and surprisingly moving, especially as the group of friends mourn the loss of a loved one and pledge their lives to banish the evil that caused such sorrow. There is plenty of adventure as the chase is on to end Dracula's reign of terror and free one of their own from his grasp. This could be a story about any group of everyday people finding the moral courage to fight any sort of evil and is a much more universal story than I had imagined. I loved this band of comrades, and I am so glad I took a chance on this classic.
69 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- N. Houghton
- 24-02-12
Gothic Horror Never Sounded So Good
This was well worth it. Alan Cumming is a favorite and so versatile. Tim Curry never disappoints. The only thing missing from Audible's production is a cast list. I recognized some narrators that I had listen to before, but think they all deserve credit for the job well done. Lucy's naivety, and Minna steadfast strength for instance deserve crediting. I was disappointed when this was not a part of the concluding credits.
If other reviewers could not be swept up in the production, perhaps it is due to a distaste for the genre. I like a good vampire tale as much as the next person, but this sheds so much light on how far we have come from the mother of all tales, where more is implied than exposed.
131 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mel
- 23-09-12
The Curtain Falls...Applause, Applause, Bravo
Hearing the final words, "Audible hopes you enjoyed.." it's hard to resist vigorously clapping your hands together and jumping to your feet to whoop out a "Bravo!" While it looks like some reviewers are more familiar with the particulars of each narrator, I must be less fussy; I thought it was a perfect cast that produced a dark gothic atmosphere that Stoker would call worthy of this masterpiece.
The story is longer than I thought it would be, the flowery speech style of the Victorian era no doubt adding to the length of the journals/diaries of each articulate character, that comprise the tale -- a style that, if you are unprepared for, may be too verbose to your liking (but authentic to the time--think Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, Oscar Wilde, William Butler Yeats). Where one during that period might say:
"Dear Madam, by God, your neck! May perhaps I suggest more wreaths of the garlic flowers to be festooned around your lovely neck to prohibit a further attack from this most vile blood-sucking fiendish creature of the night which has befallen upon you most unfairly, dear sweet lady?"
We today, 100 years later, might say:
"Huh, vampire bite. Want some garlic (was he sparkly)?"
You can see how this could take up some pages. But the profuse Victorian vernacular combined with the fine reading puts you in the necessary frame of mind -- where a dark red-eyed character in a cape could creep around a deteriorating castle, summon wolves from the fog, and morph into a bat flapping against a pane of glass. (It was a little amusing listening to the breathy and fragile Lucy and Mina...considering the time frame in which this was written. While Stoker had them helplessly swooning away, across the pond, Susan B. Anthony was gathering her own minions.)
Bram Stoker truly affected history with this book -- Audible's production was a great homage to a literary icon as well as a fun engaging production, well worth the purchase.
101 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jim "The Impatient"
- 05-11-15
IS THAT NOT SO?
THAT'S SO
Let me start with the performance. All of the narrators are professionals, not a amateur in that batch. The add very much to the book. If you by chance have never read it, this would be the edition to listen to.
THE WOMEN LOOKED PRETTY EXCEPT WHEN YOU GOT NEAR THEM
I really debated on how to rate this book. If it was not for Stoker, we would not have all the movies, books and TV shows that have followed it. No Buffy the Vampire Slayer, no Hammersmith movies, no Count Dracula cereal etc...It is all here along with many things you may have forgotten. I had forgotten the part where Dracula climbed head first down a castle wall. Did you know Dracula had hairy palms? So, this gets five stars for creating such a great character. I gave the story three stars, as I was thinking about Today's Reader. The book is made up of letters and journals and almost everything is something that has already happened and your getting a personal account of it. This was popular during Stoker's time, but it is rarely done today. For today's reader it is way too long. A lot of it reads like a soap opera. I was sick of Lucy, hours before she was finally done in. I was ready to cut her head off myself.
I LOVE YOU, YOU LOVE ME
This is a must read or listen due to the historical aspect. It also has great language. I love listening to how people talked during this time. I loved the manners used in speaking, it is lovingly written. I was also amazed in how often the word love and lover were used.
I KNOW NOT WHY
172 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- TaelonOne
- 24-02-12
The Best Dracula Audiobook Ever!
What made the experience of listening to Dracula the most enjoyable?
All the seasoned actors and narrators.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Anyone Tim Curry plays will always be my favorite character. All the narrators do an excellent job.
What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
That they are all such season actors that listening to them makes you feels as though you are really there.
If you could take any character from Dracula out to dinner, who would it be and why?
Tim Curry. Does one need a reason?
Any additional comments?
You can't go wrong with this audiobook. Simon Vance, Simon Prebble, Alan Cumming....honestly, could a book get any better than this. This is well worth the credit!
54 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dana
- 27-02-12
Wonderful, accurate performance of Stoker's novel
Would you consider the audio edition of Dracula to be better than the print version?
I love this edition for many reasons, but mainly because it is an accurate rendition of Stoker's novel. Every film version changes the story somewhat, and this edition does not. Readers get the treat of the accurate story along with great narration.
What did you like best about this story?
I love Tim Curry's voice, and think he does an excellent job.
What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Reading the book deprives you of the emotional range the human voice is capable of that add so much detail and color to the story.
46 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ian C Robertson
- 08-06-12
As it was meant to be
This truly is a revelation. I had read the book many years before, of course, but I had never really appreciated the way the story was told in correspondence. I suspect that lack of appreciation is a testament to Bram Stocker's skills as a storyteller and to my lack of acuity. Whatever the reason, hearing the tale told through the words of the correspondents makes it so much more intimate and exciting. It puts the Twilight Saga and True Blood in their place as pieces for their time and generations, but confirms the traditional view of Dracula, van Helsing and Transalvania as everlasting pieces of literature for all time and a mature audience. In the parlance of the present cinema, it's M15+ verging on R, but not for the sensuality (although that is there) or the viloence (of which there is an abundance), but for the themes.
As for the production, it is first class. For me it was Simon Vance and Katy Kellgren who shone; more so even than the named principals. Alan Cumming was as good as ever. Tim Curry really didn't have enough of a part to make a real impression, more's the pity. Van Helsing is really seen through others' eyes. So the Harkers stole the show. In retrospect, that's not suprising, but I had (wrongly) expected more from the principals. I also missed a voice for Dracula (because he is not a correspondent, of course). I thought Vance captured his intonation beautifully when he recounted the conversations between the Count and Harker, but with Borsi Karlof, Frank Langella and others in mind, it would have been nice to hear him speak. Alas, that was a legitimate sacrifice for the lierarary device that Stoker adopted and which this production brings to life.
Highly recommended.
39 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 15-05-16
Kallgren lowers the rating
They need to stop using her for English women. It's uncomfortable to listen to and such a shame as I love this book and the rest of the cast do so well. I toyed with giving up, as I have done with previous books she's narrated, but Cumming and Curry are just so good. Really is a shame about Kallgren, I'm sure she's a great narrator when tackling accents closer to her own. But these are just so painfully forced.
40 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- David S
- 06-06-16
Good, but some miscast voices and dull chapters
What did you like best about Dracula [Audible Edition]? What did you like least?
The first half, full of the bizarre horrors of Dracula's castle and the slow build towards his journey to England, is great. Even after all these years, it's some really creepy and atmospheric text, which the cast do a very good job of conveying. Unfortunately, I thought that the second half could really drag on at times, with far too much time being spent on long, dull monologues about how lovely Mina is and how everyone loves her for being so lovely. The last couple of chapters seemed to be more concerned with train schedules and further discussion of Mina's loveliness, rather than building up to a satisfying climax.
The cast all does a very good at voicing the various journals, diaries, telegrams, and newspapers that make up the book, however the voice actor for Jonathan Harker sounds far too old for the part. I got used to this and accepted it because he was a great narrator, yet it still felt like an odd bit of casting. Also, you see "Tim Curry as Van Helsing" and think about all the great speeches that Van Helsing has, right? Well, Tim Curry doesn't actually say any of them! I would guess that over half of Van Helsing's dialogue is written in Mina's diary, which means that Mina's actress is the one who has to speak them with a not-quite-the-same-accent-Tim-Curry-is-doing accent. I can't blame the casting for this and the actress is a good enough narrator that you just get used to it, but it's still very disappointing that Curry isn't really given anything interesting to work with.
What about the narrators’s performance did you like?
The actress foorr. Luu-see. Has a strange-lee hypnotic waay. Of taalk-iing. I doe-n't knooww hooww. Best tooo. Des-cribe iit.
To be fair, I think she's just overdoing the "sweet and delicate" voice early in the story, because she does sound much more natural later on and actually gives a very touching performance by the end. The rest of the cast are far more consistent and I have to give credit to the actress for Mina, because her many chapters include a lot of different characters and she does a great job of managing all of them (except for what I think was meant to be a Yorkshire accent that she tries to do for a character early on, which was absolutely terrible). Also, Alan Cumming deserves top billing for Dr Steward, as his chapters tended to be the highlights.
Did Dracula [Audible Edition] inspire you to do anything?
Talk like Lucy in public places and then get asked to leave by very concerned staff.
56 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mr. J. L. Brown
- 06-12-18
awful accents almost ruined a classic
Most of the book is narrated well but either Katherine or Susan attempts some accents and the outcome is truly awful, A Seaman sounds more like a Rastafarian and Van Helsings voice is insanely bad especially compared to the other narrators Van Helsing. Dracula deserves better.
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jennifer
- 29-05-16
One annoying voice (which luckily stops)
You shouldn't cheer for someone's death, but one voice is so grating you end up doing so. I won't mention because I don't want to spoil, but thank God that character bites the dust just to not have to listen to the awkward, forced inflection at the end of every sentence!
10 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nerissa MacDonald
- 17-04-18
Such a shame
I love the story of Dracula but my goodness the poor and honestly painful voices of Mina and Lucy made me want to stick sharp objects in my ears! So so awful it completely put me off. So montone and without feeling. Couldn’t even finish it. Shame because Jonathan Harker was so good!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- riffy
- 19-02-16
I love vampires
great book, love this story. very well narrated. it was a pleasure to listen to.
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Oliver
- 13-04-13
Classic horror with multiple voices
The basic story of Dracula is probably familiar to most, but it is the central concept that stays longest in the mind after reading/listening. To be fair the plot loses steam at various moments and the characters are fairly flat, but the vampire and Transylvania as a setting have had so much impact on Twentieth Century culture that this book needs to read by everyone at least once just to see where it all came from. And I can't think of a better way to do that than listening to this audio-book. The book is narrated by various voices, so likewise this audio-book is read by a different narrator for each character, such as Alan Cumming for Seward and Time Curry as Van Helsing. This works very well, the multiple voices really adding something extra to sustain interest - this really is one of the most enjoyable audio-books I have listened to: A massively influential book read very well - highly recommended.
15 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Miss
- 13-04-13
Horror well done.
I love Bram Stokers "Dracula" of which I have many audiobook versions. Personally I find the multiple cast members bring a whole new world to the characters and story pace, rather than a lone narrator. Some of the accents and pronunciations are a little off, but I like the quirkiness and professionalism of this audiobook.
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- D
- 07-07-14
Classically wonderful
Would you listen to Dracula [Audible Edition] again? Why?
Oh God Yes!
What did you like best about this story?
It is beautifully true to the original. Their was a sense of the times delivered in the performances. The atmosphere was also deliciously conveyed in the audio background.
What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
The nature of the book is too have many perspectives and each of the narrators/actors was wonderful in their delivery. It is also very refreshing and dynamic to have the different voices journey you through the story.
Any additional comments?
This is a classic that will be revisited several times in my life.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sue Jackson
- 28-10-15
Classic horror!
What made the experience of listening to Dracula [Audible Edition] the most enjoyable?
Full cast and narration that makes a great story more classic!
What was one of the most memorable moments of Dracula [Audible Edition]?
All in one a great book.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
No one favorite but love triumphs as it should!
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Unfortunately unable to due to very busy week but have enjoyed when possible.
Any additional comments?
N/A
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rebecca
- 03-08-15
All Star Cast Not So Great
Dracula is one of my favourite books which I revisit every few years but I'm not sure I will listen to this production again. I went into this with very high expectations and unfortunately they were not met. Each narrator on their own was a pleasure to listen to but their own interpretation of what everyone else sounded like was pathetic, confusing and just poorly done. Sadly as a good portion of the writings is recall/para phrasing this happens quite a bit.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Drax17
- 31-07-17
Classic Monster Horror
What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?
When Dracula was hunting after Lucy Westenra & the effect it had upon her friends & family.
What about the narrators’s performance did you like?
I liked that each character was portrayed by a different performer. It helped put you in the head space of that character for a time & what they were going through as the story unfolded. It was exciting when each new chapter started & you knew straight away what character you were going to hear from.
If this book were a film would you go see it?
I am already in love with the 1992 version staring Gary Oldman.
Any additional comments?
They were many great scenes / moments that were suspenseful to the terror that Dracula was inflicting on the characters. But there were also scenes that could have been omitted or cut way back. They seem very unnecessary & made the story longer then it needed to be. I found the very ending way to rushed. There was so much lead up then over in the blink of an eye. It was only told by the perspective of one character but would have found it more enjoyable to be told from a few more characters. Not so much then way events unfolded but how they felt afterwards.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 15-12-16
Fantastic in every way!!!
Most people know this story, either read, heard (as with the original radio programme) or seen.
I've never read the book I must say (seen many adaptations) but to hear it like this was a real delight!
The cast & narration was well suited for each character in the book. Each performance was extremely well played out. The music also created a greater intensity and/or atmosphere for each chapter throughput!!
By the end it was gripping & full of suspense! Would highly recommend this audible book for anyone who enjoys a classic! :))
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kevin
- 23-05-16
Unexpected joy
I am so pleased to finally be acquainted with the original text. Dracula has been done so many times on the big and small screen which set an effort expectation this performance easily outstepped. I must listen again :)
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Erin
- 23-06-15
Brilliant
I have to say, I almost stopped listening at Chapter 5. The story is told from different people's perspectives and after a suspenseful first 4 chapters, it was jarring to introduce a new narrator. Also the narrator does an awful old man voice in Chapter 6, and it goes on for a while, so this was a bit off-putting. Beyond Chapter 6 though, I was hooked. I loved it.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- MumOfThree
- 18-05-15
'Read' the Original Classic
Brilliant and original story telling - keeps up the drama and suspense until the end. Using the different actors made it so realistic. This will change the way you look at all other vampire stories! If you only ever 'read' one classic, make it this one...
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Melle
- 05-01-21
Especially if you've never read this classic...
How does one review Dracula? This is such a classic and most of us know at least some elements of the original book. I had never read the book so I was intrigued to hear it "performed" by this stellar cast. This is a great deal more than narration, this is a real performance and it is wonderful. If you've always been curious, you won't find a better introduction that this, and if you're already a fan I think you would appreciate this excellent performance.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 04-01-21
Loved the cast ! Loved the story structure
Such an interesting way to tell a story and the cast all performed amazingly ! Enjoyed every second
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 24-12-20
Brilliant story but the voices ruined it.
The parts with Johnathan was brilliant but the voice of Lucy was awful. The part with Mina was average but when she started to impersonate someone else I had to turn it off. Disappointing as it’s such a great story.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ana
- 30-10-20
great narrators
Was amazing having different narrators for every point of view. Well written and read.