Dracula

A BBC Radio 4 Reading Starring Michael Fassbender

By: Bram Stoker

Narrated by: Michael Fassbender, full cast

Michael Fassbender stars in this multi-voice reading of Bram Stoker’s legendary tale.

First published in 1897, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is widely regarded as the best gothic horror novel of all time. The popularity of the world’s most notorious vampire, Count Dracula, has ensured that it has never been out of print, and it remains a timeless classic.

In this epistolary novel, journal entries, letters, newspaper clippings and a ship's log interweave to form an incredible, thrilling story, as the various protagonists intimately recount the epic legend of the Transylvanian count.

The tale begins with Jonathan Harker’s journal as the young, newly qualified solicitor travels to the remote Carpathian Mountains to meet a wealthy client. But as he explores Castle Dracula, he discovers more than he dares contemplate and learns the terrible truth about his host.

Meanwhile in England, his fiancée Mina Murray fears for his safety. An empty foreign schooner arrives in Whitby, and Mina's apprehension grows as a mysterious illness affects her dear friend Lucy. When Lucy’s health deteriorates rapidly, Dr Seward calls in the help of Professor Van Helsing, who sets a plan in motion to capture Dracula.

With time running out, Jonathan, Van Helsing, Dr Seward and Mina must embark on a perilous journey to Transylvania and come face to face with the Vampire King....

This 10-part series features Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender as Jonathan Harker, James D’Arcy as Dr Seward, Gillian Kearney as Mina Murray and James Greene as Van Helsing.

©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Love the narration

Was a bit disappointed that it was abridged.....I wasn't ready for it to be over.

Great story

Loved listening to the story. Michael Fassbender is wonderful and easily my favorite part of the reading.

Of Course, A Classic... But Michael Fassbender...

I don't like audio books most of the time because the narration so often bores and dulls out the story, even when it's a really good book. Not only is Dracula one of my favourite books of all time, the narration cast did phenomenally. I really only finished this one though because Michael Fassbender's voice is like if god made it out of silk and pine, and with him being hot, I just wanted to keep listening to him read it. Hope he doesn't see this.

Not the full story

It’s not the complete story of Dracula but it was a wonderful performance. Michael Fassbender did a great job and the other performers were amazing too. I would have loved hearing all of them narrate the complete novel.

So good. Too short.

With Halloween around the corner and having thoroughly enjoyed the audible original production of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea I couldn’t wait to give this BBC adaptation of Dracula a listen. Throw in what would no doubt be a compelling performance from one of the most talented and versatile actors working today and I was sold immediately. Not that I needed much convincing to begin with. Dracula is one of the most fascinating and haunting characters in all of fiction. There’s a reason The Count has been adapted and reinterpreted more times than basically any other fictional character besides Sherlock Holmes. Whether it’s his charisma and charm, his mystery, or his unfathomable evil there’s just something about Dracula that keeps us coming back. Unfortunately, with all those countless adaptations it can become difficult to bring something new to the table and make the Dracula story feel fresh. Luckily for us everyone involved in the production brought their A-game. The production is top notch, the writing is sharp and well adapted if a bit short and truncated, and Fassbender is stellar as usual. Michael Fassbender’s narration reminds me of the old Orson Welles radio-plays from the golden age of radio. There’s an undeniable charm to his performance and it’s very difficult to not become swept up by it.
However, I have to admit that the frustratingly short length is a bit of a problem. My favorite quote from the original story where Dracula says:“My revenge is just begun! I spread it over centuries, and time is on my side“ might not strictly speaking be true in this adaptations case. Time is definitely not on Dracula’s side here. These are desperate and uncertain times and not everyone has the extra money to spend on additional credits if their audiobook of choice can’t be stretched out for a whole month. People deserve to get their money’s worth and much as I hate to admit it I’m not entirely sure they will. With a lean two hours of story there is just no way this audiobook will see you through to next month’s credit. More likely you’ll finish it in one sitting like I did. That’s fine for some people and might be just what you’re looking for but if you’re like me and you prefer your audiobooks to have legs and be long enough to stretch out then maybe give it a pass or wait until you have credits to spare. I’m willing to admit that that might be a personal preference however.
With all that said if you’re looking for a stellar adaptation with masterful performances that moves at a breakneck pace give this newest Dracula a listen. It’s perfect for the Halloween season and consistently creepy and compelling in equal measure. Here’s hoping we get similar productions in the future. If you’d like more Dracula this Halloween check out the flawless Kim Newman Anno Dracula series, The New Dracula series by Fred Saberhagen, or the fascinating novelty called Powers Of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula by Bram Stoker and Valdimar Ásmundsson.