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Fragment of a Novel
First published January 1, 1819
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About the author
Lord Byron
4,382 books2,090 followersGeorge Gordon Byron (invariably known as Lord Byron), later Noel, 6th Baron Byron of Rochdale FRS was a British poet and a leading figure in Romanticism. Amongst Byron's best-known works are the brief poems She Walks in Beauty, When We Two Parted, and So, we'll go no more a roving, in addition to the narrative poems Childe Harold's Pilgrimage and Don Juan. He is regarded as one of the greatest British poets and remains widely read and influential, both in the English-speaking world and beyond.
Byron's notabilty rests not only on his writings but also on his life, which featured upper-class living, numerous love affairs, debts, and separation. He was notably described by Lady Caroline Lamb as "mad, bad, and dangerous to know". Byron served as a regional leader of Italy's revolutionary organization, the Carbonari, in its struggle against Austria. He later travelled to fight against the Ottoman Empire in the Greek War of Independence, for which Greeks revere him as a national hero. He died from a fever contracted while in Messolonghi in Greece.
Byron's notabilty rests not only on his writings but also on his life, which featured upper-class living, numerous love affairs, debts, and separation. He was notably described by Lady Caroline Lamb as "mad, bad, and dangerous to know". Byron served as a regional leader of Italy's revolutionary organization, the Carbonari, in its struggle against Austria. He later travelled to fight against the Ottoman Empire in the Greek War of Independence, for which Greeks revere him as a national hero. He died from a fever contracted while in Messolonghi in Greece.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
June 2, 2021
Lord Byron's "Fragment of a Novel" is a required stop along the classic origins of vampire literature. It was written for a rainy day ghost story contest between literary icons that included John William Polidori and Marry Shelley. Polidori's famous "The Vampyre" tale was actually an adaptation of Byron's fragment.
It's unfortunate that Byron never completed this novel because he leaves us with so many unanswered questions, rich world building, a kind prophecy that remains pending, and relentless intrigue. The similarities between Polidori's tale and Byron's fragment are actually not that substantial. Both include a "City of the Dead" which is desolate and ripe for such creatures of the night, a solemn oath between friends that (probably) comes back to haunt them, and a bromance that turns freaky. Byron's fragment does not actually get to name the strange man as a vampire, like Polidori does, which is a major distinction. Perhaps Polidori was at least able to learn from Byron where he planned to go with this.
If I had to guess, Byron read his ghost story fragment aloud to much admiration of his famous audience and left them as desperate for more as I felt myself at the end. Perhaps Byron dismissed the project as frivolous, leaving Polidori no choice but to pick up the pieces and offer some completeness—though his tale also leaves much to the imagination. Still, "The Vampyre" is a far more satisfying read and it is easy to understand how it became such an influence to Bram Stoker.
Byron's pages, which can be read in probably 10 minutes, are engaging and certainly a fascination for vampire enthusiasts and literary scholars. But they are also exactly as titled: a fragment. Legend has it that the fragment was leaked and not actually published with Byron's approval. If that's true, kudos to the leaker. As frustrating as it can be to read a captivating start to something that was never finished, the historical weight of every sentence, of knowing there would be no Dracula (or Frankenstein) without these words or this ghost story contest, is all a bit overwhelming—but delicious to read.
If anybody wants to check out Lord Byron's fragment, here's a link to read it online: http://knarf.english.upenn.edu/Byron/...
It's unfortunate that Byron never completed this novel because he leaves us with so many unanswered questions, rich world building, a kind prophecy that remains pending, and relentless intrigue. The similarities between Polidori's tale and Byron's fragment are actually not that substantial. Both include a "City of the Dead" which is desolate and ripe for such creatures of the night, a solemn oath between friends that (probably) comes back to haunt them, and a bromance that turns freaky. Byron's fragment does not actually get to name the strange man as a vampire, like Polidori does, which is a major distinction. Perhaps Polidori was at least able to learn from Byron where he planned to go with this.
If I had to guess, Byron read his ghost story fragment aloud to much admiration of his famous audience and left them as desperate for more as I felt myself at the end. Perhaps Byron dismissed the project as frivolous, leaving Polidori no choice but to pick up the pieces and offer some completeness—though his tale also leaves much to the imagination. Still, "The Vampyre" is a far more satisfying read and it is easy to understand how it became such an influence to Bram Stoker.
Byron's pages, which can be read in probably 10 minutes, are engaging and certainly a fascination for vampire enthusiasts and literary scholars. But they are also exactly as titled: a fragment. Legend has it that the fragment was leaked and not actually published with Byron's approval. If that's true, kudos to the leaker. As frustrating as it can be to read a captivating start to something that was never finished, the historical weight of every sentence, of knowing there would be no Dracula (or Frankenstein) without these words or this ghost story contest, is all a bit overwhelming—but delicious to read.
If anybody wants to check out Lord Byron's fragment, here's a link to read it online: http://knarf.english.upenn.edu/Byron/...
February 11, 2016
We had passed halfway towards the remains of Ephesus, leaving behind us the more fertile environs of Smyrna, and were entering upon that wild and tenantless tract through the marshes and defiles which lead to the few huts yet lingering over the broken columns of Diana — the roofless walls of expelled Christianity, and the still more recent but complete desolation of abandoned mosques — when the sudden and rapid illness of my companion obliged us to halt at a Turkish cemetery, the turbaned tombstones of which were the sole indication that human life had ever been a sojourner in this wilderness. The only caravansera we had seen was left some hours behind us, not a vestige of a town or even cottage was within sight or hope, and this 'city of the dead' appeared to be the sole refuge of my unfortunate friend, who seemed on the verge of becoming the last of its inhabitants.
It is interesting to read this little fragment in contrast with Polidori's The Vampyre: A Tale, which was based on it. Byron's version makes much more sense in plot and is unafraid to assign agency to the young narrator. It is a pleasure rather than a chore to read. One only regrets that he decided not to finish it.
Edited to add: Available free online here: http://www.sff.net/people/doylemacdon...
It is interesting to read this little fragment in contrast with Polidori's The Vampyre: A Tale, which was based on it. Byron's version makes much more sense in plot and is unafraid to assign agency to the young narrator. It is a pleasure rather than a chore to read. One only regrets that he decided not to finish it.
Edited to add: Available free online here: http://www.sff.net/people/doylemacdon...
February 1, 2024
3.5⭐
This is an unfinished prose piece which was written in June 1816, for the “Ghost story competition” at Diodati which also produced Polidori’s The Vampyre and Mary Shelley's, Frankenstein, it was first published in June 1819, together with his poem Mazeppa. It concerns a man named Agustus Darvell who, clearly has some secret which is destroying him, and which the innocent narrator might have uncovered, had Byron been interested enough in the tale to go on with its completion.
This is an unfinished prose piece which was written in June 1816, for the “Ghost story competition” at Diodati which also produced Polidori’s The Vampyre and Mary Shelley's, Frankenstein, it was first published in June 1819, together with his poem Mazeppa. It concerns a man named Agustus Darvell who, clearly has some secret which is destroying him, and which the innocent narrator might have uncovered, had Byron been interested enough in the tale to go on with its completion.
May 6, 2017
(Comments when I've re-read Polidori's The Vampyre.)
March 12, 2020
After reading Lord Byron's Manfred, I decided to read this short Fragment of a Novel. I had read this before not knowing but after remembering my review on John Polidori's The Vampyre which my edition included this fragment. As I read this it was very familiar and I repost here some of my review below.
"My first encounter with Vampire stories was Bram Stroker's Dracula and then a year later Joseph Sheridan Is Fanu's Carmilla, and this year John Polidori's The Vampyre. I enjoyed all three but my favorite is Polidori's short story. There is a sadness to all but to me, The Vampyre is the most devastating of the three. This short story was one of many written in the famous ghost story competition at Villa Diodati, the famous Mary Shelley's Frankenstein was included. Polidori was Lord Byron's personal physician and had Byron in mind for his main character. Byron wrote Augustus Darvell but it was not completed, it was thought that The Vampyre was Bryon's but that was proved to be Polidori's story. In this collection the unfinished Augustus Darnell is included which has many similarities which is eery. If you are looking for gothic, vampire, horrifying and grave robbing stories then the stories listed her will fit the bill. There are three anonymous stories which all are wonderfully written. (The Victim, The Curse and Life in Death) "
"My first encounter with Vampire stories was Bram Stroker's Dracula and then a year later Joseph Sheridan Is Fanu's Carmilla, and this year John Polidori's The Vampyre. I enjoyed all three but my favorite is Polidori's short story. There is a sadness to all but to me, The Vampyre is the most devastating of the three. This short story was one of many written in the famous ghost story competition at Villa Diodati, the famous Mary Shelley's Frankenstein was included. Polidori was Lord Byron's personal physician and had Byron in mind for his main character. Byron wrote Augustus Darvell but it was not completed, it was thought that The Vampyre was Bryon's but that was proved to be Polidori's story. In this collection the unfinished Augustus Darnell is included which has many similarities which is eery. If you are looking for gothic, vampire, horrifying and grave robbing stories then the stories listed her will fit the bill. There are three anonymous stories which all are wonderfully written. (The Victim, The Curse and Life in Death) "
December 2, 2025
Pretty cool and a "good start" by a romantic heavyweight and a good piece of the famous writing contest along the shores of lake Geneva that inspired so much of our most beloved horror tales. There isn't much here, which is unfortunate and I'm surprised that Byron gets any credit at all for helping to inspire the Polidori novella "the Vampyre". I don't personally see much connection or anything that was overtly stolen, other than they both have two men (one of them odd) making the grand tour. If anything I'm more impressed with Polidori as a writer of genuine creative ability.
Funny how history get's remembered. For horror nerds, and people who enjoy 200 year old gossip, this is a fun one.
Funny how history get's remembered. For horror nerds, and people who enjoy 200 year old gossip, this is a fun one.
January 28, 2025
To miało taki potencjał huh
Read
January 13, 2025he was onto something
November 30, 2025
bro should rise up from the dead and finish this
Read
August 23, 2023Lives up to the title. Unfortunately stops right as it starts to get interesting and a little bit spooky but not in an open-ended, suspense from not knowing the ending sort of way. Perhaps will by more interesting to return to after reading Polidori’s “The Vampyre.” My first exposure to Byron, and I’m not a huge flaw of the half-page long sentences with multiple colons and semicolons. Overall I didn’t get much out of this but would be open to revisiting as it’s only a couple of pages anyways.
Included in my copy of Frankenstein and read immediately after.
Included in my copy of Frankenstein and read immediately after.
April 25, 2021
My first milestone on the road to "Dracula". This tiny bit of prose from Byron influenced John Polidori to write "The Vampyre." This fragment is like a song abandoned by a great singer after only one unfinished take. It leaves you wanting more.
Augustus Darvell is surrounded by a mystery. He entreats his friend to perform a ritual after his death--a death he foresees with certainty, and with calmness, as long as his friend follows through. The language and symbolism is rich. The last sentence is so abrupt it almost comes across as callous, and the reader, like the narrator, is left nearly bereft of emotions. Readers are both sad that it ended so quickly, yet it was so quickly over it's hard to be too sad.
Perhaps it is best left a mystery. On to my next milestone, John Polidori's "The Vampyre; A Tale."
Augustus Darvell is surrounded by a mystery. He entreats his friend to perform a ritual after his death--a death he foresees with certainty, and with calmness, as long as his friend follows through. The language and symbolism is rich. The last sentence is so abrupt it almost comes across as callous, and the reader, like the narrator, is left nearly bereft of emotions. Readers are both sad that it ended so quickly, yet it was so quickly over it's hard to be too sad.
Perhaps it is best left a mystery. On to my next milestone, John Polidori's "The Vampyre; A Tale."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2022
7,5/10
Wraz z przypomnieniem sobie o historii powstania "Frankensteina" postanowiłem jeszcze raz przeczytać króciutkie opowiadanie Byrona, które powstało przy tej okazji. "Pogrzeb" opowiada historię bezimiennego narratora-bohatera, który pragnie zaprzyjaźnić się z powściągliwym i tajemniczym Augustem Darvellem. Razem wyruszają w podróż po południu Europy i trafiają do Turcji. W umiejscowieniu akcji nowelki widać orientalne zainteresowania Lorda Byrona (tak jak w słynnym "Giaurze", zaś w jej zakończeniu - talent do odmalowania atmosfery tajemnicy i niesamowitości, bez żadnych zjawisk paranormalnych! Choć jak zwykle przy przekładzie Macieja Płazy zastanawiam się, na ile kunsztowny język z dobrym rytmem to wybitny styl autora, a na ile wybitnego tłumacza.
Wraz z przypomnieniem sobie o historii powstania "Frankensteina" postanowiłem jeszcze raz przeczytać króciutkie opowiadanie Byrona, które powstało przy tej okazji. "Pogrzeb" opowiada historię bezimiennego narratora-bohatera, który pragnie zaprzyjaźnić się z powściągliwym i tajemniczym Augustem Darvellem. Razem wyruszają w podróż po południu Europy i trafiają do Turcji. W umiejscowieniu akcji nowelki widać orientalne zainteresowania Lorda Byrona (tak jak w słynnym "Giaurze", zaś w jej zakończeniu - talent do odmalowania atmosfery tajemnicy i niesamowitości, bez żadnych zjawisk paranormalnych! Choć jak zwykle przy przekładzie Macieja Płazy zastanawiam się, na ile kunsztowny język z dobrym rytmem to wybitny styl autora, a na ile wybitnego tłumacza.
July 30, 2016
I really wish this novel could have been finished, but then again, being only a fragment, it cannot disappoint. It certainly feeds the imagination.
October 28, 2015
It is only a few pages long, but it seems really interesting! I wish he had finished this. The main character looks like the type of obscure, mysterious fictional man I would fall in love with.
July 17, 2022
Lord Byron is a fool and a bad story teller!
September 18, 2023
Too bad he left it unfinished before getting to the interesting vampire part.
Honestly it's difficult to rate or judge something that's this short; indeed, it feels a little unfair to be critical of a story that's fewer than 5 pages, was never completed, and was never intended to be published in the first place. That said, I really didn't find anything about this impressive or gripping, not even as a set up for something longer. I especially don't understand the really favorable reviews praising the "world building" or the characters (like ???? We literally know nothing meaningful about them! Be serious). Still, the fragment is essentially an incomplete first draft, and there's only so much story/character development you can do in so few pages; so I'm giving it a generous 3 stars.
I would also like to call attention to an interesting quote from the Wikipedia page on the story (not sure of the original source as I didn't see a footnote and don't really care enough to look further):
"According to John Polidori, Byron intended to have Darvell reappear, alive again, as a vampire, but did not finish the story. Polidori's account of Byron's story in a letter to his publisher in 1819 indicates it 'depended for interest upon the circumstances of two friends leaving England, and one dying in Greece, the other finding him alive upon his return, and making love to his sister.'"
So I guess that's where the story would have gone had Byron endeavored to continue it. I just thought this was interesting and might be worth sharing, as I don't see any other reviews that mention this. Considering that this information comes from Polidori, I'll be curious to see how closely he followed that outline for his "The Vampyre," which was based on--or at least inspired by--Byron's work.
Honestly it's difficult to rate or judge something that's this short; indeed, it feels a little unfair to be critical of a story that's fewer than 5 pages, was never completed, and was never intended to be published in the first place. That said, I really didn't find anything about this impressive or gripping, not even as a set up for something longer. I especially don't understand the really favorable reviews praising the "world building" or the characters (like ???? We literally know nothing meaningful about them! Be serious). Still, the fragment is essentially an incomplete first draft, and there's only so much story/character development you can do in so few pages; so I'm giving it a generous 3 stars.
I would also like to call attention to an interesting quote from the Wikipedia page on the story (not sure of the original source as I didn't see a footnote and don't really care enough to look further):
"According to John Polidori, Byron intended to have Darvell reappear, alive again, as a vampire, but did not finish the story. Polidori's account of Byron's story in a letter to his publisher in 1819 indicates it 'depended for interest upon the circumstances of two friends leaving England, and one dying in Greece, the other finding him alive upon his return, and making love to his sister.'"
So I guess that's where the story would have gone had Byron endeavored to continue it. I just thought this was interesting and might be worth sharing, as I don't see any other reviews that mention this. Considering that this information comes from Polidori, I'll be curious to see how closely he followed that outline for his "The Vampyre," which was based on--or at least inspired by--Byron's work.
December 2, 2017
Lord Byron's 'Fragment of a Novel', while brief and incomplete, has nonetheless had quite a butterfly effect upon the Gothic genre. Serving as direct inspiration for Polidori's "The Vampyre: A Tale", and accounting for the second writers' own "admission" that Byron was the foundation for Lord Ruthven, his decision to write this piece has lead to the popularisation of one of the most recognisable gothic creatures. Reading this alongside Polidori's novella the parallels are very clear and undeniable, and though "The Vampyre" is much more fleshed out and better paced early on, John clearly owes a lot to Byron. As a standalone piece it's very well written but certainly suffers from its nature as a Fragment. You can tell the author is ramping up to something (which is delivered in The Vampyre, thankfully), but it ends on the precipice of the supernatural. Even still, it encapsulates some of the most foundational gothic tropes and is a very worthwhile read in its own right, it's just a shame it was never completed by Byron himself.
September 19, 2023
Written when Shelley's, Byron and Polidori gathered in a Swiss villa where each of them wrote ghost stories. It is also the same day that gave birth to Shelley's masterpiece, "Frankenstein".
I truly adored the rich and delicate language of Byron. And since I live in Izmir the story has more special place in my heart as Byron mentions about his observations on Ephesus and old Izmir (Smyrna). I would definitely read it if it was a fully formed novel, it is so unfortunate that it was left unfinished.
Some even say that it was inspired to Polidori on writing The Vampyre, in this case maybe it can be said that Byron created the whole Vampire literature scop.
I truly adored the rich and delicate language of Byron. And since I live in Izmir the story has more special place in my heart as Byron mentions about his observations on Ephesus and old Izmir (Smyrna). I would definitely read it if it was a fully formed novel, it is so unfortunate that it was left unfinished.
Some even say that it was inspired to Polidori on writing The Vampyre, in this case maybe it can be said that Byron created the whole Vampire literature scop.
October 28, 2025
A 3.75-star read for me. Purely because of the potential and the intrigue.
It's frustrating that this was never finished and fleshed out because it leaves you with so many questions that will never be answered. However, context may help; this was written during the famous ghost story competition with Shelley and Polidori, which may provide some hint to the mysterious dying man in the story.
I find it helps with the frustrations of unanswered questions if you imagine Byron telling this ghost story aloud to a captive audience, encouraging conjectures to ensue, and refusing to give any answers to the annoyance of his peers.
It's frustrating that this was never finished and fleshed out because it leaves you with so many questions that will never be answered. However, context may help; this was written during the famous ghost story competition with Shelley and Polidori, which may provide some hint to the mysterious dying man in the story.
I find it helps with the frustrations of unanswered questions if you imagine Byron telling this ghost story aloud to a captive audience, encouraging conjectures to ensue, and refusing to give any answers to the annoyance of his peers.
August 27, 2018
Best read alongside Polidori's The Vampyre
To be fair, there's nothing here that suggests it was meant to be a story about vampires. However, the main plot points of both stories are pretty much identical, so it can't be denied that Polidori used Byron's script as a base.
I wouldn't recommend this unless you're interested in the history and evolution of gothic fiction, vampires or you simply like Lord Byron.
To be fair, there's nothing here that suggests it was meant to be a story about vampires. However, the main plot points of both stories are pretty much identical, so it can't be denied that Polidori used Byron's script as a base.
I wouldn't recommend this unless you're interested in the history and evolution of gothic fiction, vampires or you simply like Lord Byron.
February 1, 2025
4 stars
I read this for my English lit analysis class and I think something that a lot of people are forgetting when reviewing this short story is that it’s literally A FRAGMENT of what Byron was writing, this isn’t supposed to be seen as the finished product guys…
All in all, I really enjoyed it, especially when looking at it through the lens of understanding the origins of vampires and vampire imagery!
I read this for my English lit analysis class and I think something that a lot of people are forgetting when reviewing this short story is that it’s literally A FRAGMENT of what Byron was writing, this isn’t supposed to be seen as the finished product guys…
All in all, I really enjoyed it, especially when looking at it through the lens of understanding the origins of vampires and vampire imagery!
June 18, 2025
I decided to pick this up for a few, totally stupid reasons; for one, not too long ago I read Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" and upon watching the documentary about her, found that I would love to read all the books from that challenge. I totally forgot all about it within the next few minutes and now that I have study Lord Byron, instead of studying, I remembered this and decided to read it. Such a fun read. I really like Byron's writing style. Superbly witty
August 25, 2021
“A Fragment” – Lord Byron
Also known as "Fragment of a Novel" is an unfinished 1819 vampire horror story written by Lord Byron - one of the first in English to feature a vampire theme. Definitely worth a read. Great characters that would have made a stunning full novel {I suspect Byron was a 4 with a 5 wing, on the Enneagram}
Also known as "Fragment of a Novel" is an unfinished 1819 vampire horror story written by Lord Byron - one of the first in English to feature a vampire theme. Definitely worth a read. Great characters that would have made a stunning full novel {I suspect Byron was a 4 with a 5 wing, on the Enneagram}
January 16, 2024
Kept my attention (might not be saying much for a short story but my attention isn't easily held).
Wish this was longer and I could see this tale evolve and read about Darvell's next chapters in life! I won't take a star away for that though, I think it just illustrates I really enjoyed it and therefore deserves full stars (by my ratings).
Wish this was longer and I could see this tale evolve and read about Darvell's next chapters in life! I won't take a star away for that though, I think it just illustrates I really enjoyed it and therefore deserves full stars (by my ratings).
April 26, 2024
"He smiled in a ghastly manner, and said faintly, 'It is not yet time!'"
I enjoy Lord Byron's style of writing but I wish he would have continued writing this story. In my opinion, "Fragment of a Novel" is an okay-ish short story (ending right when it starts to get more interesting) that could have been a masterpiece.
I enjoy Lord Byron's style of writing but I wish he would have continued writing this story. In my opinion, "Fragment of a Novel" is an okay-ish short story (ending right when it starts to get more interesting) that could have been a masterpiece.
May 4, 2024
3.25 ⭐️
“Between astonishment and grief, I was tearless.”
I liked the short story but it could have been a little longer: The end was abrupt yet gripping.
(I know, it’s a SHORT story. But it’s very short and ended white the most gripping and interesting part.)
“Where there is mystery, it is generally supposed that there must also be evil.”
“Between astonishment and grief, I was tearless.”
I liked the short story but it could have been a little longer: The end was abrupt yet gripping.
(I know, it’s a SHORT story. But it’s very short and ended white the most gripping and interesting part.)
“Where there is mystery, it is generally supposed that there must also be evil.”
October 23, 2025
Oh, this was so beautiful yet unfinished. And I was so intrigued and fascinated by where the story was going. Thank goddess that Polidori was inspired by it and created a finished story.
I liked the atmosphere of it. There is a whole mythology created around this first vampire.
Seeing how productive his ghost story competition was, I wish he would've hosted more.
I liked the atmosphere of it. There is a whole mythology created around this first vampire.
Seeing how productive his ghost story competition was, I wish he would've hosted more.
May 23, 2024
“Where there is mystery, it is generally supposed that there must also be evil.”
Lord Byron’s entry into the famous contest that birthed Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and John Polidori’s The Vampyre.
An interesting short tale that made me want more.
Lord Byron’s entry into the famous contest that birthed Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and John Polidori’s The Vampyre.
An interesting short tale that made me want more.
November 25, 2025
twas a 6 page unfinished book
although i will say bonus points because byron describes a young doctor polidori as "not a bad fellow but young and hot headed and more likely to incur diseases than cure him" like you cant make that up. this shit is so funny with that context in mind
although i will say bonus points because byron describes a young doctor polidori as "not a bad fellow but young and hot headed and more likely to incur diseases than cure him" like you cant make that up. this shit is so funny with that context in mind
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