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Shadowplay

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About this listen

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.

©2019 Joseph O’Connor (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd Biographical Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Biography Heartfelt

Critic reviews

"Joseph O’Connor is a very great artist and story teller. 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)
All stars
Most relevant
the best audio book I've ever experienced. Language, nostalgia relived, a great bad luvee and narrators born for the job.

special

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If there is a price to be paid for genius the Joseph O Connor must suffer greatly.

Genius

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Brilliant portrayal of Henry Irving and Bram Stoker’s momentous contributions to the stage and to theatre history. Lots of lovely details bring their characters to life as the story cleverly unfolds. A powerful novel, I just wish it had been longer! Ellen Terry is there as well, adored, yet enigmatic. The scene setting is skilful, evoking the period with vivid description, scents and sounds. Mellifluous narration, made it, for me, a most enjoyable listen.

Stage hero’s and a heroine!

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Funny, gripping, moving, intricate, alive. Brilliantly narrated. One of the best books I’ve ever listened to. Star of the Sea I loved, this its very equal.

Just Wow!

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Interesting, bewitching until the end, with rich beautiful language brought to life by the inimitable Barry McGovern and Anna Chancellor

Fantastic ride of a book

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