Dracula by Bram Stoker

Dracula is a creature that possesses many powers including mind-control and seduction. He uses his mysticism to lure Jonathan Harker to his castle in Transylvania in order to finalize his plans to infiltrate British society and feast upon its Victorian ideals. Unfortunately, he has to play by certain rules. For instance, he cannot leave his "unholy" soil, he cannot cross running water, and he cannot enter without being invited. Regardless of his limitations, he's able to find faithful followers who will help him seek and destroy his prey no matter how pure and how safe she might feel.

Set in the late 1800s and incorporating many Freudian concepts, DRACULA (modeled after Vlad the Impaler) addresses issues of sexuality, feminism, and immigration. This text is written in a series of letters (epistolary) from the perspectives of the main characters: Mina, Jonathan Harker, Van Helsing, Seward, and Lucy. Unfortunately, the reader never gets to learn Dracula's perspective, which is a true weakness of the novel. In addition, this novel takes WAY too long to implement any kind of suspense or tension, which leaves the reader bored. The most tension I've felt, in fact, comes when I'm trying to avoid certain topics with my students that they inevitably bring up and want to discuss. I probably won't teach this novel again

1984 by George Orwell

Published in 1949 and set in 1984, the world's power is divided among three great superstates: Oceania, Eastasia, and Eurasia. Set in Oceania (future Great Britian and US post WWII), Orwell creates a society plagued by a Party that eliminates anyone who refuses to tow the party line (pun intended). The story is told from the perspective of Winston Smith, a middle-aged man who secretly rejects the hatred and lies spewed forth by the Party. As the story progresses, Winston's rebellion grows more bold as he participates in a forbidden relationship and seeks to discover the Brotherhood, an underground group rumored to be gathering forces to oppose the Party. It doesn't take long, however, for him to discover that the Party has been watching him, and it demands total and ultimate submission: mind, body, and soul. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.



Although I enjoy dystopian novels and government conspiracy stories, Orwell's novel was a very tough read to finish. The writing was very dry and rambling with little to no action during the first half. Readers who enjoy the fast-pace of dialogue will find themselves bored with the lengthy descriptions and inner soliloquies. Most of the book hinges on Orwell describing the setting so that Winston's broken spirit seems all the more tragic. For readers who want a modernized version with a more intricate plot, they need to read LITTLE BROTHER (2008) by Cory Doctorow.   

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Montag is a fireman. He doesn't put out fires; he starts them. In fact, the best kindling is books. Why? Because books make people think, make people question, and make people deny the status quo. In a society where happiness reigns supreme (at all costs), individual thought doesn't fit in. Then, he meets Clarisse. A young girl who makes him think, who makes him question, and plants a seed about the status quo. 

It all begins with a quiet walk one evening after work, and ends with Guy running for his life with an armful of books, hoping to God that "they" don't find him. 

This book refers to things that are occurring within our society today (i.e. reality TV). Even though this novel drags in a few places, its overall power is worth every word.

Utopia by Sir Thomas More

Is Sir Thomas More a Communist? Or, is he simply basing a society on his Catholic and Humanistic beliefs? Is Utopia truly a Utopian society when people lose free choice and are brainwashed? On the surface, Utopia seems like the perfect community where everyone helps each other and, instead of survival of the fittest, the mentality represents that of a brother's keeper. Only, slaves are treated less than human, sinners are enslaved, people need permits to leave their communities, euthanasia is encouraged, and people lose their individuality. Utopia? Not really.

I admire the fact that More used this book to denounce Henry VIII's tyranny, but he's simply replacing one form of dictatorship for another. He claims that people would be "the same," yet by the end of the novel, distinctions in class have been drawn yet again. Regardless, considering More wrote this in 1515, he was a visionary who loved his religion, hated injustice, and hoped for a better society.

On a side note, More gives some pretty sound advice about brides and grooms inspecting each other like a horse owner would inspect a horse before buying it. I think we can learn something from his ironic comparison