A Strange Story and The Haunted and the Haunters

by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Rosicrucian fiction about love, life, and occult powers. Lytton was a student of the esoteric sciences and was a known Rosicrucian. Fascinating reading

354 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1862

About the author

Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton PC, was an English novelist, poet, playwright, and politician. Lord Lytton was a florid, popular writer of his day, who coined such phrases as "the great unwashed", "pursuit of the almighty dollar", "the pen is mightier than the sword", and the infamous incipit "It was a dark and stormy night."

He was the youngest son of General William Earle Bulwer of Heydon Hall and Wood Dalling, Norfolk and Elizabeth Barbara Lytton, daughter of Richard Warburton Lytton of Knebworth, Hertfordshire. He had two brothers, William Earle Lytton Bulwer (1799–1877) and Henry Bulwer, 1st Baron Dalling and Bulwer.

Lord Lytton's original surname was Bulwer, the names 'Earle' and 'Lytton' were middle names. On 20 February 1844 he assumed the name and arms of Lytton by royal licence and his surname then became 'Bulwer-Lytton'. His widowed mother had done the same in 1811. His brothers were always simply surnamed 'Bulwer'.

Reviews

[claudia v · Rating 1 out of 5]

Though an interesting story, the whole time reading it I can only think about the fact that its author had his wife committed in an institution because she was too critical of his work. Well, here's one star to you!

[Avaris · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story itself was pretty good, but the writing was atrocious. It is no wonder there is a contest named for the Author.

[V · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel harsh is giving this book such a low rating, but it really was a labour to read. The style of writing has not aged well. This is soooooo long on metaphysical discussion and so short of actual story.
I am assuming this book was written during that age when Seances and metaphysical studies were all the rage. If this is of interest to you - jump right in. If you are after a good story avoid at all costs.
At over 80 chapters this is not a short read.
The protagonist is a doctor - Allen Fenwick who takes over a practice in a new town, his struggles to get accepted by the snobs on top of the hill and his struggles with the doctor in that part of the town who is into mesmerism, etc.
He falls in love with a newcomer to the town - Lillian Ashley who is soon attacked by these very forces. He also forms a friendship with a person called Margrave who is very interested in science, but has no sympathy for anyone but himself. Margrave proves to be very popular with everyone in this town despite his selfishness.
The doctor is warned by a long time resident of the town, who has been in the Middle East and recently returned - Sir Phillip Derval - about Margrave. Derval advises Fenwick to be on guard and accuses Margrave of a murder in Aleppo and that Margrave is much older than he looks due to potions taken to achieve this - and that Margrave has sold his soul to achieve this. Derval is then murdered and Fenwick is arrested. Fenwick is rescued by Margraves 'shadow' as long as he promises to leave Margrave alone.
Lillian soon takes sick and abandons Fenwick, but turns out to be under the spell of Margrave who needs her to get more of the youth potion. Fenwick eventually chases her down and brings her back, moves to Australia and has the final meeting to defeat Margrave and win back his bride from the edge of death.
Sounds ok in the short form, however if we did not have the many pages of arguments back and forth between characters discussing the metaphysical aspects just in different words over and over again and the same doubts by the same doctor restated ad naseum every third chapter it may have been ok. A good editor would have cut this book down to about 20 chapters, chucked out all the irrelevant dialog with many strangers about issues that go nowhere and the almost continually running dialog in the doctors head about the same thing on repeat.
I would recommend this book for those who like a book that takes 5 chapters to describe every single small detail and often repeats itself.