Shadowplay

Written by Joseph O'Connor

Narrated by Anna Chancellor

From Irish PEN award-winning author Joseph O'Connor, Shadowplay explores the characters whose loves and lives inspired Dracula. 1878.

The Lyceum Theatre, London. Three extraordinary people begin their life together. Henry Irving, the Chief, is the volcanic leading man and impresario; Ellen Terry is the most lauded and desired actress of her generation; and ever following along behind them in the shadows is the unremarkable theatre manager, Bram Stoker. Bram 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. But the Chief is determined that nothing will get in the way of his manager's devotion to the Lyceum and to himself. And both men are enchanted by the beauty and boldness of the elusive Ellen.

"Joseph O'Connor is a very great artist and storyteller. The quotient of enjoyment in his extraordinary new novel is stupendous." SEBASTIAN BARRY

"There are few living writers who can take us back in time so assuredly, with such sensual density, through such gorgeous sentences. Joseph O'Connor is a wonder, and Shadowplay is a triumph." PETER CAREY, twice winner of the Booker Prize.

• Language: English
• Publisher: W. F. Howes Ltd
• Release date: Jun 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9781528866170

Joseph O'Connor

JOSEPH O'CONNOR was born in 1963 and has written thirteen books, most recently the novel Star of the Sea, which sold a million copies around the world. His work has been published in thirty languages, and he also writes for the stage and screen. He lives with his wife and two sons in Dublin, Ireland.

Reviews for Shadowplay

[Bob Orange · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent. The narration of Sir Henry Irvine is outstanding. The author has an amazing skill with language although it can feel only very slightly flowery from time to time

[Raven Green · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Three compelling artists: Henry Irving, Ellen Terry and Bram Stoker set the London of the late 19th century ablaze with their talent. O'Connor's writing can easily match such an epic task! The voice actor brings the monumental ego of Irving to life.