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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely chilling - spookily atmospheric,
By
This review is from: The Secret Life of Laszlo, Count Dracula (Paperback)
It has been about 22 years since I have read Bram Stoker's "Dracula," which was the only book that ever gave me a nightmare - until now. I don't know what it is about these books that get under my skin the way they do, but if a book is written in such a way that much of the horror is hinted at more than actually given up outright, THAT my friends is the book that is going to make its way into my dreams.
I will tell you right out - this is NOT a vampire book in the usual sense of the word - it is a book about a man, obsession and a slow descent into a form of madness - or perhaps it is vampirism? You, the reader, must decide for yourself. Written in the form of a diary, this book tells the story of Laszlo, the younger son of (I believe) Vlad Dracul - or it could be his grandson. What gives me reason to believe he is the son is that he only ever refers to his father as "a great patriot" and never by name. When his older brother becomes Count, he leaves for France to study medicine. While there, he rekindles an old love (at least on his end) with a wealthy cousin, then falls in with a rather bad influence, leading to another - less healthy - obsession. He becomes involved with a patient at the charity hospital where he works and then, one night when she taunts him with all her many other lovers, he kills her and drinks her blood. However, before the body can even be discovered, his uncle arrives bringing the news that his brother has been killed in battle and that he, Laszlo, is the new Count Dracula and must return to their estates in Hungary. There is then a 20-year gap in the diary before it takes up again. Laszlo has married his brother's wife, but denies himself relations with her - thus denying himself heirs. He has, however, brought the estate back to prosperity, along with the small village he oversees. However, soon his uncle dies, and with his uncle's death comes the resurgence of urges he thought long buried in France. . . There is not much more I can outline of the basic story without ruining the reading of it, but the sheer twisted idea that he comes up with at the ending is one of the most horrific things I have read in a long while. Folks who are used to a more action-oriented book (or who spend too much time watching TV and not enough reading) might have trouble with this one, as Mr. Anscombe has tried to emulate the slower-moving style of the time he is writing about. However, I think it is brilliant and it literally took my breath away. I hope we see more from this wonderfully talented man.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Amazing Psychological Horror,
By John McDonald (Boise, ID USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Secret Life of Laszlo, Count Dracula (Mass Market Paperback)
I have to strongly disagree with all who claim that this book is not scary. While the book takes a (welcome) turn from the mythical and supernatural vampire lore, it is anything but tame. The beauty and horror of Laslow is that it could actually have happened. Roderick Anscombe takes you inside the mind of the famous Translyvanian serial killer allowing you to glimpse what drives him to his deeds and also the disgust he feels for his own actions. He fights his dark desires while he can, but his "hunger" for blood always wins in the end. His pyschological obsession for it overcomes even the physical need portrayed in classical Vampire legend. All in all and excellent read, mind expanding and thought provoking. Silence of the Lambs meets Hamlet.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting twist on vampire novels,
This review is from: Secret Life of Laszlo, Count Dracula (Hardcover)
I've long since had an obsession with novels and movies based on Dracula. This is one of the most unique books I've read. It's nothing like any of the Dracula books. It's written in such a way that it brings the main character down to earth. More like a possible non-fiction than a vampire novel. All of the characters seem more life like than a figment of someone's imagination. It's written much like Brom Stoker's dracula, as in diary format, but without jumping from character to character. The diary of one man. It's one book that keeps you coming back for more. I'd generall prefer watching a movie than reading a book, but this book I just could not put down. I highly recommend it.
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