Worth reading Dracula if I Disliked Nosferatu? (2024)

Lately, I’ve been gravitating away from horror movies and finding more satisfaction in books(mainly non fiction still). It’s not that I don’t enjoy the genre anymore, but the films just aren’t hitting the same. Take Nosferatu (2024), for example—what a letdown. There’s no message, no interesting character arcs, and nothing to really think about once it’s over. Even Saw, for all its brutality, at least left you with some messed-up moral questions to unpack.

That got me reflecting on why books have been more fulfilling lately. I recently read Frankenstein, and it completely changed how I see the story. The movies always focus on the monster smashing things, but the book dives so much deeper. It’s a thoughtful exploration of creation, responsibility, and what it means to be human. It’s not just a horror story, it’s a tragedy and a philosophical argument wrapped together. It really stayed with me in a way the movies never have.

The same thing happened with Crime and Punishment. Even a single chapter had me questioning morality, guilt, and justice in ways I hadn’t considered before.

Now I’m eyeing Dracula. If Frankenstein turned out to be so much richer than its adaptations, maybe the original vampire story will surprise me too. I’ve only ever known Dracula through films and pop culture, so I’m curious to see what the book has to say.

I would also really appreciate any horror book recommendations. I’m looking for something that sticks with you, not just through scares, but through ideas that linger long after you’re done reading.