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Dracula

Dracula is an 1897 Gothic horror novel by Irish author Bram Stoker.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Dracula is an 1897 Gothic horror novel by Irish author Bram Stoker. Told through diaries, letters, and newspaper-style documents, it follows Count Dracula’s move from Transylvania to England and the effort to stop him. The novel is one of the most influential vampire stories in modern literature.

Plot

The story follows Jonathan Harker, Mina Murray, and their allies as they confront Count Dracula after he travels from his castle in Transylvania to England. The group pursues him and works to destroy him.

Form and style

Dracula is an epistolary novel, meaning its story is told through documents such as diary entries, letters, telegrams, and newspaper clippings. This structure gives the novel a fragmented, documentary feel.

Literary significance

The novel is widely regarded as a foundational vampire text in English-language literature. Count Dracula became a major cultural figure and a prototype for later fictional vampires.

Adaptations and influence

Dracula has inspired numerous stage, film, television, radio, and comic adaptations. The character has become one of the most recognizable figures in horror fiction.

Key facts

  • The novel was first published in 1897.
  • It is written in an epistolary format using diaries, letters, and other documents.
  • Count Dracula is the title character and main antagonist.
  • The story begins with Jonathan Harker travelling to Transylvania.
  • The novel helped define the modern literary vampire.
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Canadian context

Dracula is part of the English-language literary canon read and studied in Canada, and it has had broad influence on Canadian horror publishing, film, and popular culture.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote Dracula?
Dracula was written by Irish author Bram Stoker.
When was Dracula published?
It was first published in 1897.
What genre is Dracula?
It is usually classified as a Gothic horror novel.
How is Dracula told?
The novel is epistolary, using diaries, letters, telegrams, and related documents.
Who is Count Dracula?
Count Dracula is the title character and main antagonist, portrayed as a vampire and Transylvanian nobleman.
Why is Dracula important?
It is one of the most influential vampire novels and helped shape the modern popular image of vampires.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dracula-novel
    Supports: Author, genre, epistolary form, and plot summary.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula
    Supports: Publication year, epistolary structure, and basic plot outline.
  3. SparkNotes — https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/dracula/facts/
    Supports: Publication date, publisher, genre, setting, and collective protagonist details.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Count_Dracula
    Supports: Count Dracula as title character, main antagonist, and literary influence.