Shadowplay is one of those novels where you learn things as it is woven around a true story. We meet Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, Henry Irving the great actor manager of Victorian London and Ellen Terry the greatest actress of the day. In real life Bram Stoker managed the Lyceum Theatre for Irving and Ellen Terry was a close friend of both. We are in a London where the Ripper stalks and Stoker is creating Dracula. I enjoyed the glimpse into literary and theatrical Victorian London but ultimately would have preferred a straight biography of the trio rather than fiction.

Well, I've never read anything by Joseph O'Connor before, but I have to say, I'm a bit in love with this book. Set very atmospherically in Victorian London the novel weaves together the characters and stories of Bram Stoker, Henry Irving and Ellen Terry as they strive to make the Lyceum Theatre a success, That is all backdrop however to the real themes of friendship, love and creative ambition that permeate the story.
The setting is so well realized that you could really picture yourself there, and I felt as though I was invested in the characters from the outset, and often found myself randomly looking up little facts and photographs online as I regularly found myself thinking about the book as I was carrying on with my day. As a fan of Dracula, and theatre, this was pretty much a dream book for me, and I've been merrily recommending it to everyone that I chat to.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. I look forward to reading more novels by this author.

An enjoyable read full of Victorian detail especially around the theatre and personalities within it. I also enjoyed spotting clues to the plot of Dracula. However, despite the wonderful writing I did find it a bit overlong and difficult to follow at times.

Novel based on the true story of when Bram Stoker was Henry Irving's theatre manager and how it led to him writing Dracula.

Consuming and unhealthy relationships in a dark Victorian London. Not a comfortable read but an interesting one.

I was very kindly gifted an eARC of Shadowplay by the lovely people at Vintage in May. This is no way affects my review.

Shadowplay is a historical fiction novel that follows characterizations of the author, Bram Stoker, and the actors, Henry Irving and Ellen Terry, at the Lyceum Theatre in London during the latter half of the 19th century. As a fan of Dracula, I was very excited to see this book show up in my emails, (thanks again to Vintage) and it thrilled me to no end to see so many references to this novel peppered thought the text. Initially, they came across as casual references, which I enjoyed, until the third act of the book, as the book is split into acts, where the references culminate in a tense argument between two of the protagonists. The fact that this was slowly introduced tells me that to the reader, almost unbeknownst to them, O'Connor is a really smart writer, which comes across throughout this novel in other forms, additional to the one I have just mentioned.

If you have read Dracula then you might know that Stoker does some very interesting things with his depictions of gender and sexuality. In Shadowplay O'Connor does his best to replicate this so that it seems to precedes its presence in the text, and I could not get enough of it. From Stoker's role as 'Auntie' to the character of Harker to Stoker's relationships with Irving, Len, and his wife, there is so much to delve into. O'Connor resists laying it all out neatly for the reader but weaves it through the fabric of his story which makes it all that much more delightful to read. This was probably my favorite aspect of the novel, which included the occasional references and appearance of Oscar Wilde. Essentially Wilde was the image of the Reaper appearing at the perfect time, and as a gruesome reminder of the future, particularly poignant for anyone who is aware of the Wilde Trial, and everything that came after.

After a year of deciding that I do not like Neo-Victorian novels, Shadowplay had undoubtedly made me rethink my position. I adored the sense of love, loss, and the transience of time that O'Connor so deftly writes about in this novel and will be purchasing my own copy as soon as I possibly can.

This is such a strange book.
Initially, I started to read then found it too disjointed to want to continue, so I set it down and moved on. But the reviews here told me it was wonderfully written and would draw me in, so I tried again. And yes, it is wonderfully written, taken word by word, but the whole? Not so much. It is so confusing, leaping from one point of view to another, sometimes present, sometimes past, changing, always changing. It was almost as though the author were experimenting with different styles of writing, unable to decide on what might work best, then settling on leaving it all in. It makes for a long, long read, full of passages that go nowhere, rather like this review.

I'd like to say I loved it, but I am not a massive fan of narrative that leads nowhere. So three stars for the language, but nothing to push it into the higher regions of four or five.

Delightful and inriguing (if sometimes overtaken by luvvie language - but that's inevitable!) story mainly of Bram Stoker, author of 'Dracula' - his hesitant introduction into the theatrical world, his tepid marriage to Florence - and all the time, hints of the Dracula story are dropped in - as manager of Henry Irving, the actor's, stage in London he encounters actress Ellen Terry - and we follow both of them too. Bram is a grumpy proud man, whose works were not well known in his own day - and his personality and probably repressed homosexuliaty is represented tactfully - because it seems he never admitted to it. His son is flamboyant - and the story is told as if from Stoker's journals so we get intimacy. (I'm glad to say that his wife is a common sensical and modern woman) - the dialogue altogether is great. Admirable even if it did not take my breath away .. slow going, I suppose. Excellent historical writing ...

I really love anything about the Victorian period, although I did not know much about Bram Stoker, the focus for this book, apart from the fact he wrote 'Dracula'. The whole book was a bit of a revelation, in fact, putting Stoker in the context of his life's works and the wider view of Victorian and Edwardian society.

The novel focuses on Bram Stoker's life from his days as a clerk in Dublin to his time managing the Lyceum Theatre in London through to his death in 1912. The main part of the book really concentrates on his tricky relationships with the famous Shakespearian actor Henry Irving (owner of the Lyceum Theatre) and Ellen Terry, great actress of her day. Although heavily based in fact, this is a fictional account and it really brought the historical figures to life through the (fictionalised) diaries of Stoker, the letters between the characters and even some (again fictional) transcripts of conversations and interviews.

I really enjoyed the way that so much of Stoker's day to day life at the theatre seemed to provide the inspiration for 'Dracula' - as a long time admirer of that classic novel, it was lovely to see ideas coming together, from character names to places and events and motifs. I wasn't aware until reading this that Stoker never realised that 'Dracula' was destined for fame and fortune - it is a tragic element of his story that he never saw its success in his lifetime.

There was a lot to enjoy in this book for people who like well-researched historical fiction. So many people and places and events were incorporated into this story that Google was my constant companion so I could see and read even more!

However, a few things grated slightly and held this off being a 5 star book for me. Firstly, I thought it slightly over-long and meandering in places. I do realise someone's life isn't always a string of exciting events, but some more judicious editing may have helped. Also, I thought that Florence (poor Florence!) should have been developed more - in a novel of big characters, she felt very two dimensional. I also personally wasn't keen on the ghost idea, although I do see its relevance.

Overall, this is an enjoyable read for those interested in Victorian society and theatre or Bram Stoker and his writing process. It is an engaging and ultimately moving account of one man's life and relationships in a fascinating era.

Fans of Star of the Sea will love Shadowplay, a fictional version of the life of Bram Stoker, author of Dracula. Stoker would never find acclaim for his writing in his lifetime, but the author paints a beautiful and heartbreaking picture of his life.
After writing a review of Henry Irving on the stage, Stoker is taken on as the manager of Irving's new theatre, The Lyceum. Irving will be the first actor to be knighted, and will, alongside Ellen Terry, become very famous. Stoker is a forlorn figure in the background, finding inspiration for Dracula throughout the story. Stoker gives the best part of his life to the Lyceum, and you long for him to take more time for his wife and son.
Shadowplay is a fantastically moving novel of a life lived at the expense of your own success. Four stars.

A wonderful novel about the friendship between Bram Stoker ,Sir Henry Irving and Ellen Terry.I had heard of all of them but knew very little about their lives.I had no idea that Bram Stoker managed the Lyceum Theatre in London and that his books achieved very little success in his lifetime.
What is outstanding about the book is the author's wonderful use of language-the book changes narrator and each one has a very different voice so you immediately know from whose point of view the story is being told. The descriptions of London at the turn of the 19th century are sublime,as are the details of theatre life at the time.
The book also touches on events such as the Ripper murders and their effect on Londoners,and features real events and historical characters such as Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw .
Highly recommended-thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review which reflects my own opinion.

Slow to start, but increasingly absorbing, this novel takes the relationship between Bram Stoker and Victorian actors Henry Irving and Ellen Terry. I knew nothing about Bram Stoker’s life, and certainly not that he’s had a long professional relationship with a Victorian actor / impressario, and so this imagining of their life was fascinating. The foreshadowing of themes from Dracula (and i assume other Stoker novels) is entertainingly embedded and I rather enjoyed picking them out, but the real joy lies in the creation of the Victorian theatre world.

Shadowplay is a richly imagined historical novel set in London’s iconic Lyceum theatre in the late 1800s, as clerk and aspiring writer Bram Stoker finds himself employed as manager and assistant to the famous actor Henry Irving. Novels about real historical characters can often feel a bit contrived, but O’Connor’s treatment feels natural. Stoker and Irving’s complicated relationship plays out throughout the novel’s events, and the theatre itself, with its spooky passages and cobwebby attics, becomes a character in its own right. Stoker wrote Dracula during his time at the Lyceum, and fans of the book will enjoy the little moments throughout Shadowplay where suggestions of his inspirations come through. Although there are enough Gothic moments to please Stoker fans, this is at its heart a story about creativity, vulnerability, and the fragility of pride.

Oh how much I loved this book! Joseph O'Connor is an amazing writer with a lot of talent. His storytelling is really enjoyable and addictive to follow. I always wanted to pick this book up when I couldn't read.
It's a fictionalised story about the adult life of Bram Stoker, where you'll find clues about how he came up with his very famous book Dracula.
This book would be great to read along side Dracula by the way :)
It's super atmospheric, very satisfying historical fiction I really enjoyed and would recommend to everyone who loves this genre.

Thanks a lot NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am a fan of Joseph O’Connor and I really enjoyed this book. I liked the writing style and the setting. It was interesting to read about the life of Bram Stoker.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

The gifted Joseph O'Connor writes a smart and profoundly moving piece of historical fiction that is an absolute joy to read set in the Victorian era and featuring a famous trio of real life characters of the time. Abraham 'Bram' Stoker, a part time clerk in Dublin, born in 1847, who went on to become business manager of the Lyceum Theatre in London, who died unable to achieve his dream of literary success, receiving little support for his writing, and the brilliant Shakespearean actor of his day, Henry Irving, and the towering Alice 'Ellen' Terry, the best paid and adored actress of her era. Stoker's classic tale Dracula is writ large in the entire narrative, such as when Stoker's wife, Florence, inquiring as to the mark on his neck, which he brushes off by dismissing it as a cut from shaving, their marriage is a troubled affair.

Bram leaves Ellen a host of documents that illuminate how specific characters informed Dracula, the air of menace drawing on the reign of terror and fear that Jack the Ripper engendered in the dark streets of London, how the brutality and depravity of his crimes led to women having to take extreme care, such as having to take cabs, and how the atmospheric if dilapidated state of the Lyceum and the story of a ghost played their part too. This is a story of the relationships, drama, between the trio, the love, intense feelings, passionate, and complex. Irving may well have been a marvellous actor, but he was mercurial and volatile, very demanding, challenging with a strong streak of cruelty, with Terry the only person who could make a difference in ameliorating his behaviour. Terry is compassionate, independent, and unafraid to speak her mind. Unlike Dracula, there is no immortality for the three as they are plagued with all that is associated with the decline of getting older.

O'Connor brings alive the characters, the historical period, theatre life, the issues of sexuality, and beautifully lays out the the multitude of factors that inspired Stoker's novel. The most affecting part for me was the the relationships between the three of them, the pain, the sorrow, the loss and the joy. A wonderful read that I cannot help but recommend highly. Many thanks to Random House Vintage for an ARC.

This is a very enjoyable, fictitious story about the adult life of Bram Stoker, with hints along the way as to how he got his inspiration for Dracula.

After being offered employment in London by the flamboyant actor, Henry Irving, Bram leaves his unfulfilling desk job in Dublin, hurriedly marries his sweetheart, Florence, and moves to London to take up the position at the Lyseum Theatre. The job turns out to be much more work than Bram expected, the theatre itself being little more than a derelict shell. But despite the hard task of bringing the theatre back to life, and the often unrealistic demands and tantrums of Henry ("the Chief") Irving, Bram still manages to find a little time to write, hoping one day to produce a literary masterpiece.

The story itself centres around the relationship between Bram Stoker and Henry Irving for the most part. Part way through the book the beautiful, esteemed actress, Ellen Terry, is properly introduced, and she really manages to shake things up at the theatre and between the two male characters. It can also be said that the Lyceum is a character itself, going from rags to riches thanks to the hard work of Bram in particular and theatre staff. There is also talk of a ghostly presence at the theatre.

The links to Dracula are very subtle, almost 'blink and you've missed it' subtle, which I think is a good thing. This book is more than that. It is about the ups and downs of relationships of every possible shape and form and, above all else, friendship.

Beautifully written, atmospheric and very descriptive historical fiction that is also rather witty at times, particularly the parts where the wonderful Ellen is centre stage.

I just loved this. Very well written and brilliantly evocative of the time and place it is set in, I found it completely compelling and thoroughly enjoyed it. It examines, with great imaginative flair, the relationship between Henry Irving, Ellen Terry and Bram Stoker, who arrives in London from Dublin in the 1870s to work for Irving as General Manager at the actor’s Lyceum Theatre. During his time at the Lyceum, Stoker attempts to pursue his own literary career, with very little success, with the even today still popular Dracula passing relatively unnoticed. The novel presents itself as unpublished writings by Stoker, which he bequeaths to Ellen Terry, and comprises a collage of phonograph recordings, newspaper extracts, letters and theatre posters, and creates from all these a panoramic view of London life, both in and out of the theatre. Even the little touch of magic realism, something that I don’t usually enjoy in an otherwise realistic novel, seemed appropriate and fitted in well with the novel’s overall schema. O’Connor doesn’t pretend to total historical accuracy, again something I normally demand in an historical novel, but I really didn’t mind here, as the book feels completely truthful in spirit in its depiction of these people and their world. I could actually hear their voices as I read, such is O’Connor’s marvellous ventriloquism, and the book brought a small slice of theatre history vividly alive for me.