[]
Shadowplay
  • Published: 6 June 2019
  • ISBN: 9781473560017
  • Imprint: Vintage Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 416
Categories:

Shadowplay

Formats & editions
EBook
6 June 2019
Paperback
22 Oct 2020
Buy from…
Amazon Apple Books Google Play Kobo Booktopia eBooks.com

A magnificent new novel from the bestselling author about Bram Stoker's intense relationships with the actors Henry Irving and Ellen Terry, while working together at the Lyceum Theatre, and the inspirations that led to the creation of Dracula.

Discover the enthralling Richard & Judy Book Club pick from international bestseller Joseph O'Connor.

'The best novel that I've read in the last twenty years... It's fantastic' RICHARD MADELEY

'Breathtaking... A hugely entertaining book about the grand scope of friendship and love' Sadie Jones, Guardian
__________

London, 1878. Three extraordinary people begin their life together - and the idea for Dracula is born.

Fresh from life in Dublin, Bram Stoker - now manager of the Lyceum Theatre - is wrestling with dark demons in a new city, in a new marriage, and with his own literary aspirations. As he walks the streets at night, streets haunted by the Ripper and the gossip which swirls around his friend Oscar Wilde, he finds new inspiration. Soon, the eerie tale of Dracula begins to emerge.

But Henry Irving, volcanic leading man and impresario, is determined that nothing will get in the way of Bram's dedication to the Lyceum. And both men are growing ever more enchanted by the beauty and boldness of Ellen Terry, the most celebrated actress of her generation.
__________

Shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award 2019
Winner of the Irish Book Awards Novel of the Year

'A colourful tale of secret love and public performance...in a romantic, lost London' The Times

'Hugely entertaining and atmospheric' DEBORAH MOGGACH

'Extraordinary' SEBASTIAN BARRY

'A novel I'd recommend to anyone: a rollicking and moving story' James Naughtie, Radio Times

'Fabulous... A truly great book you simply cannot put down' JUDY FINNIGAN

'Rich, sad, funny, and a beautiful read. You'll LOVE it' RICHARD MADELEY

'Ingenious...hugely impressive and utterly haunting' Sunday Mirror


*JOSEPH O'CONNOR'S STUNNING NEW NOVEL, MY FATHER'S HOUSE, IS AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW*
  • Published: 6 June 2019
  • ISBN: 9781473560017
  • Imprint: Vintage Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 416
Categories:

About the author

Joseph O'Connor

Joseph O’Connor was born in Dublin. His books include eight previous novels: Cowboys and Indians (Whitbread Prize shortlist), Desperadoes, The Salesman, Inishowen, Star of the Sea (American Library Association Award, Irish Post Award for Fiction, France’s Prix Millepages, Italy’s Premio Acerbi, Prix Madeleine Zepter for European novel of the year), Redemption Falls, Ghost Light (Dublin One City One Book Novel 2011) and The Thrill of it All. His fiction has been translated into forty languages. He received the 2012 Irish PEN Award for outstanding achievement in literature and in 2014 he was appointed Frank McCourt Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Limerick.

www.josephoconnorauthor.com

portrait photo of Joseph O'Connor

Also by Joseph O'Connor

The Ghosts Of Rome
My Father's House
The Thrill of it All
Where Have You Been?
Irish Male At Home And Abroad
Ghost Light
Yeats Is Dead
See all

Praise for Shadowplay

A thrilling novel, exquisitely contrived to show the characters whose loves and lives inspired Dracula. A great tribute, and a work of art. Deeply affecting.

Essie Fox

A wonderfully evocative tale within a tale

Ben East, Observer

An ambitious celebration of friendship, theatre and the power of darkness, Shadowplay is chilling and dramatic in equal measure

Jane Shilling, Daily Mail

O'Connor's gift is to weave whimsical moments in between the complexity of relationships and people... a beautiful story

Tracey Steel, People's Friend