Customer Reviews

The Journal of Professor Abraham Van Helsing

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a fantastic fictional read for a high school student who enjoys Poe. However, if you are a vampire fanatic or academic scholar, don't get your hopes up too high. The language is not as "proper" (as one reviewer wrote) as I expected. Stoker's Dracula was much more authentic and well researched. There are several little technical errors surrounding the premise of the novel that annoy me, but may be unnoticeable to others. I borrowed the book from the local library and read the 204-page novel in about 2 hours. But, for $12 to $14 on Amazon.Com, its an enjoyable escape to the nineteenth century. Do not expect a new classic though.

It seems that vampire literature is seeing a revival, and this book fits right into the genre. It purports to be the journal of the man who tracked, and was responsible for the death of, Dracula. But Dracula is not the focus of this work; rather it is a female vampire who, according to the book, may be the one who "made" Vlad Tepes into a vampire. There are some rather gruesome scenes, and a side trip to 19th century Iraq, but the quest for the female vampire is left unfinished, although there are some indications in the book that she still exists and seeks revenge on all who searched for her, and also on their immediate families. This isn't great literature, but it doesn't pretend to be; it's rather a pleasant few hours diversion into a subject that still fascinates most people.

This was a very poor attempt to flesh out the story of Van Helsing. A little more research could have gone a very long way. In fact, late in the book in one of the footnotes, the author speaks of his "shoddy scholarship" in regards to a particular issue. Unfortunately, "shoddy scholarship" was a theme that ran the length of this offering.

The author's understanding of Middle Eastern customs and cuisine were apparently derived from eating at a Mediterranean buffet. His knowledge of Middle Eastern geography was derived from reading the newspapers of 2004 (publication date). (Tikrit and Mosul ring a bell?)

I understand it was meant to be a journal and as such summaries of events could be expected. The entire story set forth by Bram Stoker was summarized in two paragraphs. I guess the author figures he had nothing of interest to add and had better leave that story to a far better author than himself. On this point, I agree with the author.

There were several instances in the book where the author skipped occurrences that, with a little more research, the author could have added color and flavor to his book. Instead, he just took a shortcut and explained away his omissions.

I think I have put more time and effort in this review than the author took in writing his book. So, I'll just wrap it up...

I really wanted this to be a good book and it really wasn't. Don't waste your time on this one.

1 Star because I couldn't give it less!

This book was a quick read. That's not a complaint, it packed a whole lot of creativity into its pages and I read it quickly. The first ninety percent of the book are easily some of the best reading in this genre that I've ever enjoyed. It inspired me to continue reading late into the night to find out what happened next. The author is quite good at what he's trying to accomplish here (the book is a fictionalized journal that his grandfather received and notated. It turns out the journal is that of one, Abraham Van Helsing). The initial disbelief, followed by acceptance and then duty is believable - as well as the sense of loss when loved ones are targeted and die.

My only complaint about the book is that it stops rather abruptly. It's as if an unseen editor told the author not to exceed a certain page count, so the story suddenly ends. I don't know if this was because there's an expected sequel that has yet to happen or whatever else the cause is - but it's jarring.

All said, it's a good read. It's not especially gruesome, not especially graphic, which is a rarity with books that handle this subject matter (vampires). I'm quite satisfied to have read it, and I'll hold onto the book for a few years so that my son can read it when he gets a little older.

One quick last quick point, the choice for paper-stock and cover design were especially inspired, making the book feel much older than it really is.

Great Book. Tells the whole story of how Van Helsing first encountered the Terrifying Creatures of the night. This story alone would make a great movie. The first encounter in the story at the professor's friend's home is very scary to read. It seems as though I was right in the room with him. The book is written as if it were a diary. Great read, fast and action packed. I highly reccomend this for all vampire fans..

This book is weird none the less good. it's about a doctor,Van helsing, in Europe during the 1880's. He leads a normal life till he hears a session from Dr. Borescu about vampires. It immediately sparked an interest, and he is sucked into the horror of vampirism. During a visit to Dr. Borescu's house he experiences then witnesses the despair of vampires in action when his friend Dr. borescu is killed.
After that bad luck and vampires seem to follow him all the time. the epedemic is spreading through Europe. Even Van Helsing's wife was bitten then later died. He has to find a cure but that means going to the core.
Follow the story through his journal entries. This is recommended for people who like gore, action, and some sort of mystery. Warning:When someone gets infected they get beheaded, get their heart chopped up, and then get covered in garlic. This is to make sure they are dead. If blood or garlic makes you queasy, beware.

This story is about the life of Abraham Van Helsing.He finds out about vampires after he listens to his friend Dr. Borescu in Romania. After Dr. borescu is attack Van Helsing leaves Romania and is attacked on the train ride there. When he is back home he faces many hardships so.....read the story to find out.
I really liked this book and I reccomend this book to kids that like horror books with mystery and action and a great ending.

The book starts all with the long introduction, which was necessary for the reader to know how allen kupfer found the Journal. The journal starts out with Abraham meeting farther dobora borescu teach Abraham about vampires, but one night a man brings in a bitttin woman in to dobora's Church while Abraham and borescu is there. Abraham goes to his room, when he looks bac mali is there ( the bitten woman) she paralyzes Abraham with her physical characteristics as she is about to bite Abraham dobor burst in with a cross she runs out the window. the man that brought her in a attaxs boresc comes into the room but he gets bitten then dobora manages to kill the man that attacked boescu, proper way to kill a vampir then dobora kills his best friend boresu . for safety abraham takes a train back to his home town. dobor Packs Abrahams bags with vampire hunting tools. the train is attacked by wolves and malia Abraha is under her spell when she tells hi to thow his vampire things out the window but the cross is still wrapped on the floor malia picks it up and uncover its, her hand burn and she runs away . things are back to normal until malia returns to attack Abraham's wife Rita Abraham takes Rita to the hospital where her vampire curse worsens so the hospital takes rita to a asulyum Abraham tells his best friend how to kill his wife the proper way Allen does do this. everything is back to normal. until the University where Abraham works calls upon him to go to a vampire siting in the middle east. the universitie sends Dr. Vanderbur toasist Abraham. they walk with their host but one afternoon they are attacked by vampires at the market but they overcome the vampires ,and Abraham learnes new ways to kill vampires. Abraham and Vanderburg are given 48 hours to leave. because of the incident the last night they are ther mali be heads vanderburg and aggravates Abraham. and swares kill her like he killed Dracula. the last chapter is dedicated to Allen as a warning.

The book starts all with the long introduction, which was necessary for the reader to know how allen kupfer found the Journal. The journal starts out with Abraham meeting farther dobora borescu teach Abraham about vampires, but one night a man brings in a bitttin woman in to dobora's Church while Abraham and borescu is there. Abraham goes to his room, when he looks bac mali is there ( the bitten woman) she paralyzes Abraham with her physical characteristics as she is about to bite Abraham dobor burst in with a cross she runs out the window. the man that brought her in a attaxs boresc comes into the room but he gets bitten then dobora manages to kill the man that attacked boescu, proper way to kill a vampir then dobora kills his best friend boresu . for safety abraham takes a train back to his home town. dobor Packs Abrahams bags with vampire hunting tools. the train is attacked by wolves and malia Abraha is under her spell when she tells hi to thow his vampire things out the window but the cross is still wrapped on the floor malia picks it up and uncover its, her hand burn and she runs away . things are back to normal until malia returns to attack Abraham's wife Rita Abraham takes Rita to the hospital where her vampire curse worsens so the hospital takes rita to a asulyum Abraham tells his best friend how to kill his wife the proper way Allen does do this. everything is back to normal. until the University where Abraham works calls upon him to go to a vampire siting in the middle east. the universitie sends Dr. Vanderbur toasist Abraham. they walk with their host but one afternoon they are attacked by vampires at the market but they overcome the vampires ,and Abraham learnes new ways to kill vampires. Abraham and Vanderburg are given 48 hours to leave. because of the incident the last night they are ther mali be heads vanderburg and aggravates Abraham. and swares kill her like he killed Dracula. the last chapter is dedicated to Allen as a warning.

The story goes like this: The first chapter teels how Professor Allen C. Kupfer found a Journal in his mother's attic. The author then states that in the book his grandfather, Daniel Kupfer, and himself wrote notes in it as they each read it. Then all the next chapters are the journal itself notes included.
The next few chapters talk about how Prof. Van Helsing listened to a speech about vampires announced by Dr.Borescu. They also talked about how Dr. Borescu invited Van Helsing to his house in Romania.
There were alot of run-ins with vampires in the book and ..... you will find out when you read the book.
I really liked this book(you can tell from my 5 stars). If you like a thriller packed with fright, mystery, interest, and educational stuff then this is the book for you.