Shadowplay

O'Connor, Joseph

£8.99

1878, The Lyceum Theatre, London. Three extraordinary people begin their life together, a life that will be full of drama, transformation, passionate and painful devotion to art and to one another. Henry Irving, the Chief, is the volcanic leading man and impresario; Ellen Terry is the most lauded and desired actress of her generation, outspoken and generous of heart; and ever following along behind them in the shadows is the unremarkable theatre manager, Bram Stoker. Fresh from life in Dublin as a clerk, Bram may seem the least colourful of the trio but he is wrestling with dark demons in a new city, in a new marriage, and with his own literary aspirations. As he walks the London streets at night, streets haunted by the Ripper and the gossip which swirls around his friend Oscar Wilde, he finds new inspiration.

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Publish Date: 22/10/2020

Description

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
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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.
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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 LondonThe 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*

Additional information

Weight 298 g
Dimensions 198 × 129 × 26 mm
Author

Publisher

Imprint

Cover

Paperback

Pages

399

Language

English

Edition

1st paperback ed

Dewey

823.92 (edition:23)

Readership

General – Trade / Code: K