Shadowplay: The gripping international bestseller from the author of Star of the Sea

(Paperback)

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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

Reviews

Dazzling...the panache and subtlety of his prose perfectly match that gusto and creative finesse of the High Victorian world his novel wonderfully evokes * Sunday Times *
A novel I'd recommend to anyone: a rollicking and moving story... Delicious and clever late-Victorian gothic -- James Naughtie * Radio Times *
An ingenious novel OConnors work is hugely impressive and utterly haunting * Sunday Mirror *
Joseph OConnor is a very great artist and storyteller. The quotient of enjoyment in his extraordinary new novel is stupendous -- Sebastian Barry
A hugely entertaining book about the grand scope of friendship and love, it is also, movingly at times, astonishingly a story of transience, loss and true loyalty -- Sadie Jones * Guardian *
A work of Gothic splendour...O'Connor's writing is always intensely atmospheric. As a romp through Ripper-ravaged London, Shadowplay is mightily entertaining. But as a meditation on hidden sexuality, it is powerful and poignant * Literary Review *
A fabulous novel that tells the otherwise largely unknown story of the man behind Gothic horror's most enduring character The narrative stretches decades, and throbs with theatrical vigour. This is writing at its most immersive, full of Dickensian pulchritude and pathos. It should, and might well, win prizes -- Nick Duerden * i *
A rollicking tale an affecting depiction of artistic and social emancipation OConnors well-researched theatrical caper offers total immersion in a romantic, lost London... be nourished by a colourful tale of secret love and public performance * The Times *
There are few living writers who can take us back in time so assuredly, with such sensual density, through such gorgeous sentences. Joseph OConnor is a wonder, and Shadowplay is a triumph. -- Peter Carey, twice winner of the Booker Prize
Gorgeously dark Shadowplay is an accomplished, compelling read * Herald *
A hugely entertaining and atmospheric novel, one can almost smell the greasepaint -- Deborah Moggach
A mesmerising read, meticulously researched, with beautiful prose...O'Connor has the gift of conjuring up any location....Wonderful suspense a la Wilkie Collins * Sunday Independent *
Wonderful. The writing is beautiful. -- Derek Jacobi
This is a marvellous novel: at once freewheeling, exultant, fully inhabiting the momentary, transitory nature of its world; and intensely aware of the limitations too frequently self-imposed of our painfully fleeting lives. * Dublin Review of Books *
One of Ireland's finest writers -- John Boyne * Washington Post *
Three famous Victorians carry this sparkling historical novel: Sir Henry Irving, the great actor-manager; Ellen Terry, his leading lady; and Bram Stoker, the young Irishman who worked for Irving as a theatre manager before writing Dracula. From their entangled lives Joseph OConnor weaves a story of love and loyalty, rich in wit and imagination. -- 100 Sizzling Summer Books * Daily Mail *
One of the best writers working today -- Alice Walker
In gorgeous sentences, Joseph OConnor captures the essence of three very different artistic temperaments in all their nobility and glorious absurdity -- Jake Kerridge * Sunday Express *
Joseph O'Connor is the only writer I know who can make you laugh and cry in the same sentence. -- Lawrence Norfolk
Joseph O'Connor is the only writer I know who can make you laugh and cry in the same sentence. -- Lawrence Norfolk
Magnificent -- John Boyne
A virtuoso act of literary ventriloquism. Shadowplay is funny, smart, tender, wise and written with inch-perfect precision -- Colum McCann
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
As fascinating and memorable as anything O'Connor has done. The writing, too, as thrilling as ever. A great writer performing Olympian literary storytelling. -- Sir Bob Geldof
OConnor is a true master of historical fiction, able to illuminate a bygone age with skill, wit and imagination -- Max Davidson * Mail on Sunday *
A lushly enjoyable pastiche of fin-de-sicle prose, in which Victorian euphemism is an authenticating stamp that double as a source of humour -- Anthony Cummins * Observer *
A luminous and masterly depiction of Bram Stokers time at the Lyceum, this wonderful book explores the complex nature of love and creativity. Utterly captivating. -- Sophia Tobin
Beautifully written. OConnor creates a vivid and vigorous world of his own -- Andrew Taylor * Spectator *
Beautifully written and gorgeously atmospheric * Best *
A beautifully written masterpiece * SHEmazing! *
A vividly written and atmospheric meditation on the creative process -- Elizabeth Buchan * Daily Mail *
OConnor is masterly at evoking the late Victorian era; its train journeys, street scenes, formality and banter OConnor is masterly at evoking the late Victorian era; its train journeys, street scenes, formality and banter -- Suzi Feay * Financial Times *
Rich and vivid * Daily Telegraph *
Joseph O'Connor has written an entertaining novel that combines narrative with transcripts of recordings, diary entries and other notes. It steeps viewers in the theatre of Irving and Terry in the late 1870s and beyond, providing much informative colour at the same time as delving deeply and frankly into a series of relationships that are generally convincing. -- Philip Fisher * British Theatre Guide *
OConnor tells his story in rich and stylish prose * Times Literary Supplement *
A rousing story about a remarkable woman * Mail on Sunday, *Summer reads of 2019* *
Joseph OConnors vivid descriptive writing evokes Stokers memories of the post-famine Ireland of his youth and of Irvings companys fraught tours of America [his] fine writing, his wit and sympathy create a richly enjoyable backdrop for some familiar characters * Tablet, *Novel of the Week* *
Enthralling Brings to teeming life the London of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras * Irish Times *
Brilliant... alternately deeply moving and laugh-aloud funny -- Peter Marshall * History Today *
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 *
An ambitious celebration of friendship, theatre and the power of darkness, Shadowplay is chilling and dramatic in equal measure -- Jane Shilling * Daily Mail *
A wonderfully evocative tale within a tale -- Ben East * Observer *
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

Author Bio

Joseph O'Connor was born in Dublin. His books include Cowboys and Indians, 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 Shadowplay (Irish Book Awards Novel of the Year, Costa Novel of the Year shortlist). His fiction has been translated into forty languages. He received the 2012 Irish PEN Award for Outstanding Contribution to Literature and in 2014 he was appointed Frank McCourt Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Limerick. www.josephoconnorauthor.com