Dracula
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Summary
Editor's review
From an editorial perspective, the distinctive feature of this Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences Press edition lies in its scholarly annotations and background analysis. In writing, Stoker incorporated a wealth of Eastern European folklore, new medical knowledge (such as the early application of blood transfusion), and metaphors about imperial decline, gender roles, and fear of technology. Count Dracula is not merely a supernatural threat but also a symbol of foreign cultural invasion and the collapse of traditional values.
When reading, it is suggested to focus on three levels: first, the ingenuity of the narrative structure and how fragmented multiple perspectives assemble an oppressive sense of reality; second, the modernity of character portrayal, with Mina Harker as a female figure combining intellect and courage, breaking the literary conventions of the time; third, the underlying social critique, as the novel's questioning of modernity, colonialism, and the boundaries of science remains enlightening today.
Compared with the stereotyped vampire image in popular culture, the charm of the original Dracula lies in its complex tragic nature—a being walking the line between eternal curse and residual humanity. This edition preserves the original's gloomy, dense linguistic texture, while the annotations help contemporary readers understand the cultural context of 1897 London. It is worth reading again and again.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Researchers interested in Gothic literature and Victorian culture
- Readers who wish to explore the origins of vampire culture and its literary evolution
- Literature lovers who enjoy multi-layered narrative and psychological description
- Deep readers seeking social metaphors beyond the surface of horror
Not a good fit for
- Readers expecting fast-paced action or romantic vampire stories
- Readers with little patience for the nineteenth-century epistolary narrative structure
Reading tips
- Begin with the historical background introduction in the appendix to understand Victorian medical developments and social taboos
- Note the interweaving of scientific theories and folklore in Professor Van Helsing's lines
- Compare how different narrators (Jonathan, Mina, Dr. Seward) describe the same events differently
About the publisher
Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences Press is a comprehensive publisher with humanities and social science publishing as its mainstay, covering politics, economics, law, philosophy, history, literature, education, psychology and related fields. Judging from the books in our catalog, its publishing direction emphasizes social science thought, applied psychology, history and cultural life: it includes works of social theory such as Zygmunt Bauman's Work, Consumerism and the New Poor, general-interest titles such as How to Read Western Classics and A Guide to the Good Life, and practical psychology books such as Emotional First Aid. In history and food culture, it offers Shanghai History (2 volumes) and The Medieval Kitchen. Biographies such as The Suffragette and nature and culture titles such as Dragon: An Unidentified Animal together reflect a publishing character that balances academic depth with reading for the general public. Because public information is limited, further details about series and author resources are not listed here.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 第一章 乔纳森·哈克的日记
- 第二章 乔纳森·哈克的日记
- 第三章 乔纳森·哈克的日记
- 第四章 乔纳森·哈克的日记
- 第五章 米娜·默里写给露西·韦斯滕拉的信
- 第六章 米娜·默里的日记
- 第七章 8月8日新闻节选（附米娜·默里的日记）
- 第八章 米娜·默里的日记
- 第九章 米娜·哈克给露西·韦斯滕拉的信
- 第十章 苏厄德医生给亚瑟·霍姆伍德阁下的信
- 第十一章 露西·韦斯滕拉的日记
- 第十二章 苏厄德医生的日记
- 第十三章 苏厄德医生的日记
- 第十四章 米娜·哈克的日记
- 第十五章 苏厄德医生的日记
- 第十六章 苏厄德医生的日记
- 第十七章 苏厄德医生的日记
- 第十八章 苏厄德医生的日记
- 第十九章 乔纳森·哈克的日记
- 第二十章 乔纳森·哈克的日记
- 第二十一章 苏厄德医生的日记
- 第二十二章 乔纳森·哈克的日记
- 第二十三章 苏厄德医生的日记
- 第二十四章 苏厄德医生的留声机日记
- 第二十五章 苏厄德医生的日记
- 第二十六章 苏厄德医生的日记
- 第二十七章 米娜·哈克的日记
- 后记
FAQ
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About the author
Bram Stoker was an Irish author best known for his Gothic horror fiction, and his masterpiece Dracula created one of the most influential vampire figures in literary history. Four of his works are included here, comprising Dracula and different versions of The Count of Dracula, including an English-language original edition. Classified under foreign literature and fine fiction, these works reveal the core of Stoker's writing: narrative through multiple perspectives such as letters and diaries, an atmosphere of suspense and gloom, and a fusion of folklore with Victorian anxieties. Given the limited public information available, his biographical details are not elaborated here; yet the works at hand suffice to show that Stoker excelled at building fear through detailed description and pacing, and that his vampire narrative has profoundly influenced later horror literature and screen adaptations, making it an enduring classic of genre fiction.
Li Fei is an author with a notably broad range, though public information about her is limited and her biographical background is not recorded in the available data. Judging from the ten works currently listed, her writing spans commercial fiction, inspirational and personal growth, social culture, applied psychology, foreign literature, and world history. These include foreign literary and historical titles such as Dracula, American Notes, and A Brief History of England, as well as books on personal psychology and growth like Self-Boundaries, Why Do People Who Love Me Hurt Me, and Standing on Your Own Side. Works such as Jiarong Guozhuang Dance: Dance, Ritual, and Ethnic Representation at the Foot of Mount Murdo and Traditional Chinese Rural Festivals and Folk Beliefs show a sustained interest in folklore, ritual, and local culture. Overall, her books combine readability with accessible knowledge, moving between psychological self-help and cultural popularization, and are well suited to general readers approaching these fields for the first time.
