Customer Reviews

The Secret Life of Laszlo, Count Dracula

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

The Ad on the cover of the paperback novel summarizes this book perfectly: "Think Hannibal Lecter by way of Anne Rice". Roderick Anscombe has created a fabulous horror novel with an enchanting style and storytelling of an Anne Rice. You are captured in the very first page of this 400+ page book and it is indeed hard to put this one down.

One word of caution for those looking for a true 'Vampire' novel.... you will not find it in this book. The Count Laszlo Dracula portrayed in this story is a 'real' live man, a real count, who has no special Vampiric powers. The struggle of the Hungarian Count is an obsession to savagely rip the throats of young women and lick the blood as it flows. His internal turmoil is his struggle and shapes what his life has become.

The psychological drama of the story is beautifully portrayed in every aspect of the Count's life; his internal struggle between good and evil, a doctor and yet a brutal killer, and a fiend behind the saint. Mr. Anscombe has indeed created a wonderful story of the internal strife of a man, with the style of an Anne Rice, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and the brutality of a Hannibal Lecter.

Wow. That word sums up this book entirely, and I need say no more.

But I'll give it a shot. To those who say this isn't a vampire novel at all, I question whether you actually read this book. Not only is this a vampire novel, but IMHO one of the best in the genre. The only difference between this and a more 'traditional' vampiric tale is that the vampirism isn't supernatural, rather Dracula is inflicted with the very scary (and very, very real) condition of being a real life vampire - a human who craves blood and has an obsession with death, blood, and the taking blood and life itself. The fact that this vampire novel is in fact grounded in reality makes this work even more horrifying.

Again, wow. This book scared me, and I haven't been scared by a novel since I first tried to read IT by Stephen King when I was 12. And like any good novel, not only will it shock and entertain you, but after you read it, it will leave an impression on you, and make you think about how all too real vampirism and the like can be in the real world...

My highest recommendation.

I must say that I have mixed feelings about this book. It is well written and feels real, although in places strangely out of context and anachronistic (as already noted by other reviewers) All in all I did enjoy the book and it was even more interesting to read since I knew beforehand that the author is a trained psychiatrist. You do get the feeling and understanding what a person of this nature thinks. The author does not try to explain the actions of the protagonist. A wise decision in my view and one that added to the impact of the events and dialog. It created an eerie quality to the narrative.

The problem that the language was clearly not of the period did not disturb me as much as a number of anachronisms. For example, one of the characters comments that the murders resemble that committed by Jack the Ripper. According to the journal this was said in April 1888, whilst the actual murders occurred in the fall of that same year. The only reason I bring this up is because the writer is an academic and I would expect more from such a person. Maybe this was corrected in the final version and what I noticed was only a result of the fact that I read an advanced readers copy.

A first rate novel with an eminently appropriate title. Little touted, little advertised, it seems to be unknown, as is the author. Written in a style that closely approximates that of the mid- and late 19th century. Shows knowledge of European history and the history of medicine and, in particular, knowledge of the Austro-Hungarian empire in that era. But, of course, it is the literary style and the characterization that is of central importance. It is surprising that a writer so skilled is so little known. Of course, I may simply be uninformed.

Laszlo, Secrete Life of Count Dracula captivated me. Its twists and turns that you would never expect a reader to feel and to totally ingulf yourself in the book. The book is for the strong of mind with a touch of the weak heart to feel the pain that beloved dear Laszlo had been throught. And yet you are drawn toward the fear that has been placed in this book.

A beautiful book I had almost forgotten. Years ago I purchased the hard cover then proceeded to lose it. I was heartbroken at the time, it was my favorite book. The author does a fabulous job of painting vibrate images with his words. I warn whoever is reading, this is not a book for everyone. It is a dark romance that inhales love and murder with equal pleasure. If you are sensetive to horror films you may not have the stomach. Overall the book is well written. I enjoyed snuggleing up and reading it.

For a first novel, it is really good. The caracters a extremely interesting, but maybe the story looses a little bit of its magic when Laszlo goes to Budapest. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it very much