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Stoker's Wilde
"Historical details and supernatural monsters abound, but it is the odd couple of Wilde and Stoker, with their diametrically opposed personalities and interesting quirks, that drives this story. Pass this volume on to readers who are hungry for more historical stories with a supernatural frame." - BooklistLonglisted for The Guardian's Not the Booker Prize 2019.Years before either becomes a literary legend, Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde must overcome their disdain for one another to battle the Black Bishop, a mysterious madman wielding supernatural forces to bend the British Empire to his will. With the help of a European vampire expert, a spirited actress and an American businessman, our heroes fight werewolves, vampires and the chains of Victorian morality. The fight will take them through dark forests in Ireland, the upper-class London theater world and Stonehenge, where Bram and Oscar must stop a vampire cult from opening the gates of Hell. FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.
384 pages, Paperback
First published May 9, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
June 20, 2019
STOKER'S WILDE is an epistolary novel, blending the styles of Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde. What a hoot!
Not since ANNO DRACULA have I had such fun with characters from history. In this tale, Bram and Oscar team up, despite hating each other's guts, to cleanse London of the scourge of vampires and werewolves currently at large about the city. With humor and great talent these authors have written quite an adventure. Will Bram and Oscar be successful? You'll have to read this to find out!
Having read only a few things from both Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker, and knowing next to nothing about them personally, I cannot speak to the historical accuracy regarding their personal lives. The epistolary portions written by "Oscar" were often hilarious and scathing all at once. Those of "Stoker" were much more serious and weighty. The fictional origins of the THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY are here and of course, Dracula.
Overall, this book was a blast! I had a lot of fun in this London of the early 1880's, in the Lyceum Theater and even at Stonehenge. (Yes, that's here too!) It's clear that the authors did quite a bit of homework and the little bit of actual history I am familiar with is borne out here. Solely because of the fun factor alone, I heartily recommend this book-especially to fans of epistolary novels!
*Thank you to Flame Tree Press for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is it!*
Not since ANNO DRACULA have I had such fun with characters from history. In this tale, Bram and Oscar team up, despite hating each other's guts, to cleanse London of the scourge of vampires and werewolves currently at large about the city. With humor and great talent these authors have written quite an adventure. Will Bram and Oscar be successful? You'll have to read this to find out!
Having read only a few things from both Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker, and knowing next to nothing about them personally, I cannot speak to the historical accuracy regarding their personal lives. The epistolary portions written by "Oscar" were often hilarious and scathing all at once. Those of "Stoker" were much more serious and weighty. The fictional origins of the THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY are here and of course, Dracula.
Overall, this book was a blast! I had a lot of fun in this London of the early 1880's, in the Lyceum Theater and even at Stonehenge. (Yes, that's here too!) It's clear that the authors did quite a bit of homework and the little bit of actual history I am familiar with is borne out here. Solely because of the fun factor alone, I heartily recommend this book-especially to fans of epistolary novels!
*Thank you to Flame Tree Press for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is it!*
July 4, 2020
I received an advance reading copy of Stoker's Wilde in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Steven Hopstaken, Melissa Prusi, and Flame Tree Press.
The concept of Stoker's Wilde intrigued me straight away. It is an epistolary novel that is set in the late nineteenth century and sees Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde, who actively dislike each other, begrudgingly working together to thwart a vampire cult masterminded by the mysterious Black Bishop. Much like Bram Stoker's Dracula, Stoker's Wilde features numerous narrators presenting the events chronologically through diary and journal entries, letters, police reports, newspaper articles etc...
Stoker's Wilde is a finely composed mix of horror, historical fiction, and the supernatural written in a classic style that borrows elements from both Dracula and Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray in its presentation, writing style, flair for language, and events that take place. It features many famous faces from the Victorian-era including Henry Irving, Ellen Terry, Sir Richard Burton, Robert and Teddy Roosevelt, as well as a Lord Wotton, and a Dutch vampire-hunter who has a lot in common with Van Helsing.
The main point of view perspectives were Stoker's journal and Wilde's diary. Both were a joy to read albeit completely different presentations with Stoker's writing being factual and thought-provoking in his commentary whilst Wilde's recording of events is full of style, wit, charisma, and is extremely quotable. The way Wilde's sections flow and the lexical choices made me think that certain sections could have been written by the great man himself.
"There was nothing to be gained by foolish courage where rational cowardice might leave me to fight another day."
Stoker's Wilde is a haunting gothic horror love letter to the titular authors. It has many exciting moments and reads like an extremely skilfully crafted classic horror tale. It's the unlikely pairing of Stoker and Wilde that steal the show. Stoker's relationships, finding out about his powers and past, and Wilde's wit, place in society, and sexuality are all a joy to read about. They are two opposites of the era which makes them such a good pairing.
There are some excellent suspenseful moments, pretty gory incidents, and a fair few decapitations and vampires turning into goop. The ending features a fantastic set-piece at stone henge that approaches dark fantasy territory and events are set up perfectly for the sequel, Stoker's Wilde West, where the unlikely duo venture to America to help their ally, Robert Roosevelt. I will be checking out that book very soon.
The only real negative I have is that occasionally some of the letters written by less interesting characters such as Florence Stoker were not as exciting to follow as Bram's and Oscar's moments so I occasionally rushed these sections to get back to what I considered the best parts. That being said, overall I recommend this book to fans of horror, vampires, the supernatural and Victorian classical fiction.
The concept of Stoker's Wilde intrigued me straight away. It is an epistolary novel that is set in the late nineteenth century and sees Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde, who actively dislike each other, begrudgingly working together to thwart a vampire cult masterminded by the mysterious Black Bishop. Much like Bram Stoker's Dracula, Stoker's Wilde features numerous narrators presenting the events chronologically through diary and journal entries, letters, police reports, newspaper articles etc...
Stoker's Wilde is a finely composed mix of horror, historical fiction, and the supernatural written in a classic style that borrows elements from both Dracula and Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray in its presentation, writing style, flair for language, and events that take place. It features many famous faces from the Victorian-era including Henry Irving, Ellen Terry, Sir Richard Burton, Robert and Teddy Roosevelt, as well as a Lord Wotton, and a Dutch vampire-hunter who has a lot in common with Van Helsing.
The main point of view perspectives were Stoker's journal and Wilde's diary. Both were a joy to read albeit completely different presentations with Stoker's writing being factual and thought-provoking in his commentary whilst Wilde's recording of events is full of style, wit, charisma, and is extremely quotable. The way Wilde's sections flow and the lexical choices made me think that certain sections could have been written by the great man himself.
"There was nothing to be gained by foolish courage where rational cowardice might leave me to fight another day."
Stoker's Wilde is a haunting gothic horror love letter to the titular authors. It has many exciting moments and reads like an extremely skilfully crafted classic horror tale. It's the unlikely pairing of Stoker and Wilde that steal the show. Stoker's relationships, finding out about his powers and past, and Wilde's wit, place in society, and sexuality are all a joy to read about. They are two opposites of the era which makes them such a good pairing.
There are some excellent suspenseful moments, pretty gory incidents, and a fair few decapitations and vampires turning into goop. The ending features a fantastic set-piece at stone henge that approaches dark fantasy territory and events are set up perfectly for the sequel, Stoker's Wilde West, where the unlikely duo venture to America to help their ally, Robert Roosevelt. I will be checking out that book very soon.
The only real negative I have is that occasionally some of the letters written by less interesting characters such as Florence Stoker were not as exciting to follow as Bram's and Oscar's moments so I occasionally rushed these sections to get back to what I considered the best parts. That being said, overall I recommend this book to fans of horror, vampires, the supernatural and Victorian classical fiction.
Want to read
March 1, 2019This book is an Advanced Reading copy of a book to be published May 2019.
May 14, 2019
A mysterious man called the Black Bishop is using supernatural means to cause murder and mayhem in Victorian England. An unlikely duo...Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde....join forces with an expert on vampires and other supernatural creatures to battle the Black Bishop before he can open the gates of hell itself.
This novel is a sweet mix of supernatural horror and Victorian social commentary. There's a little bit of everything in the mix -- vampires, werewolves, cultists -- not to mention imprisonment under morality laws and forced social conformity. When I first started reading I wasn't sure I was going to like this book....the plot line just seemed a bit too much. But....it didn't take long for me to get totally pulled into the story. This book surprised me! A group of monster hunters formed by two famous authors before their fame took hold, a European expert on supernatural cults, and theater actors is an incredibly difficult thing to pull off -- but these two authors did it well! The story is told through the correspondence of Stoker and Wilde. It was reminiscent of Dracula. Normally I don't really like epistolary novels...but in this case, it works. Loved it!
I will definitely be looking for more by both of these writers. Very enjoyable read! A dash of the truth mixed with a bit of the fantastical smothered in a nice dose of classic monster horror -- very entertaining book!
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Flame Tree Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
This novel is a sweet mix of supernatural horror and Victorian social commentary. There's a little bit of everything in the mix -- vampires, werewolves, cultists -- not to mention imprisonment under morality laws and forced social conformity. When I first started reading I wasn't sure I was going to like this book....the plot line just seemed a bit too much. But....it didn't take long for me to get totally pulled into the story. This book surprised me! A group of monster hunters formed by two famous authors before their fame took hold, a European expert on supernatural cults, and theater actors is an incredibly difficult thing to pull off -- but these two authors did it well! The story is told through the correspondence of Stoker and Wilde. It was reminiscent of Dracula. Normally I don't really like epistolary novels...but in this case, it works. Loved it!
I will definitely be looking for more by both of these writers. Very enjoyable read! A dash of the truth mixed with a bit of the fantastical smothered in a nice dose of classic monster horror -- very entertaining book!
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Flame Tree Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
May 28, 2020
This was actually pretty good. If I sound surprised it’s because I am- I was disappointed initially with the form the writing took (diary entries, letters etc) because it’s not a style I enjoy. However, the historical fiction details and the way Bram Stoker’s crew came together was highly enjoyable.
July 14, 2019
IMO, done right, a novel written in epistolary form can be the most immersive and enjoyable way a book can be written. There is something about that first hand account stuff that does it for me. The kicker is that unless the entries are all written by the same person, the author HAS to create individual/specific voices to be able to distinguish one from the other. Stoker's Wilde does that exceptionally well. Oscar was a trip, Bram was comically stoic and yearned for the strictest personal adherence to moral integrity, and all the other side and background characters were unique and memorable enough that I did not once worry about keeping track of who was who. The story was also a lot bigger than I had anticipated. I thought it was going to smaller scale, maybe the whole thing contained to a city or two but it ended up having a bunch of different people going to a bunch of different locations to do battle with the forces of evil... or darkness... or the undead! Whatever it ended up being and wherever it ended up going though, was a lot of fun. Nice vividly-drawn, atmospheric, scary scenes, funny banter and behaviors between our two heroes, and enough weirdly odd supporting characters to populate a dozen Cohen Brother's films, I liked this one every step of the way. The authors did a great job regulating the tone as well and used humor effectively to set up the tension and horror then used some disturbing moments to set up some laughs. I don't usually seek out comedy in my reading but if it's blue, dry, or dark enough and not forced in any way I can dig it. This book worked on many different levels for me and I hope these two have more adventures on the way!!!
Thank you to Flame Tree Press and Netgalley for the free review copy but that in no way shape or form impacted my opinion or review.
Thank you to Flame Tree Press and Netgalley for the free review copy but that in no way shape or form impacted my opinion or review.
June 14, 2019
I absolutely loved this. It's a great mix of Victoriana, horror and the supernatural and brings together characters we know so well such as Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde working together to solve a dastardly crime. Vampires are out in force in London and people keep trying to steal Stokers' blood.
I know there's a name for this style of book (Kim Newman also works in this genre) but I can't remember it but it revolves around taking characters from a range of previous books, films and real life and creating new stories. I like this style. You have an almost fully established character set right from the start assuming you know who they are but at the same time you can play around with them. I particularly liked how they wrote Wilde.
It's also written in the epistolary style of letters and diary extracts which is also a favourite of mine. It's like they wrote a book just for me! I find this style so easy to read and helps when you have multiple voices fighting for attention. It really moves the story along at a cracking pace. It ends with a tiny bit of ambiguity. There's a chance we could see the pair team up again and go on more adventures and I really hope this will be the case. Loved it.
I know there's a name for this style of book (Kim Newman also works in this genre) but I can't remember it but it revolves around taking characters from a range of previous books, films and real life and creating new stories. I like this style. You have an almost fully established character set right from the start assuming you know who they are but at the same time you can play around with them. I particularly liked how they wrote Wilde.
It's also written in the epistolary style of letters and diary extracts which is also a favourite of mine. It's like they wrote a book just for me! I find this style so easy to read and helps when you have multiple voices fighting for attention. It really moves the story along at a cracking pace. It ends with a tiny bit of ambiguity. There's a chance we could see the pair team up again and go on more adventures and I really hope this will be the case. Loved it.
November 10, 2020
In the late 19th century aspiring writer Bram Stoker and famed wit Oscar Wilde reluctantly join forces to fight the forces of evil. A vampire cult led by the mysterious Black Bishop must be stopped before they enslave all of Europe. Told through a series of letters and diary entries, this novel gives voice to various historical figures from the aforementioned Wilde & Stoker to legendary actress Ellen Terry. I found this great fun and loved how the ending set up the plans for the sequel.
March 28, 2019
Hopstaken and Prusi’s novel Stoker’s Wilde is a once in a lifetime book that knows its subject matter very well and utilises the style in order to give an interesting twist on Victorian history. The story is extremely clever without being pretentious which a feat within itself. If this book doesn’t win numerous awards, then the literary gods should be striking down some ignorant judges in the near future.
Stoker’s Wild knows its source material very well and throughout the book there are nods and winks from Bram Stoker’s work and even Wilde’s Dorian Grey origins may pop up in the novel. Using correspondence, a nod to Dracula as its story framing, we have an unlikely kinship between the two main characters Wilde and Stoker whose relationship spits and starts before blooming which gives an interesting dynamic to the proceedings. It is a feather in the cap that Hopstaken and Prusi are able to take real life people from this time that have realistic relationships during the time the story takes place and intertwined them into their novel so realistically and keep it faithful to the real life character of their infamous cast.
Apart from the nod and winks to fans of Wilde and Stoker, there is plenty of plot twists and adventures starting in Ireland and working their way to London. There is real emotion given out dealing with love’s gains and lost. The plot keeps moving forward and it very rarely ever takes a breath. It is a rewarding piece of writing and story telling that pales to a lot of work that is floating around out there today.
Overall, this is a fantastic written, presented and thought provoking novel that over excels even my own expectations and has become one of my all-time favourites. Extremely well-constructed using a Victorian story telling device and improving on it without bogging itself down in pretention prose or trying to be cleverer than what it is. You have a strong constructed love letter to all things horror and Victorian without losing itself in its own identity. This is an honest to goodness fantastic novel that really needs to get noticed because for me, this is one of the most outstanding pieces of fiction that I have read in a long time. I am in awe of the talent that went to put this novel together. Highly recommend to all classic and modern horror readers and one of the best fiction tales in a long time.
Stoker’s Wild knows its source material very well and throughout the book there are nods and winks from Bram Stoker’s work and even Wilde’s Dorian Grey origins may pop up in the novel. Using correspondence, a nod to Dracula as its story framing, we have an unlikely kinship between the two main characters Wilde and Stoker whose relationship spits and starts before blooming which gives an interesting dynamic to the proceedings. It is a feather in the cap that Hopstaken and Prusi are able to take real life people from this time that have realistic relationships during the time the story takes place and intertwined them into their novel so realistically and keep it faithful to the real life character of their infamous cast.
Apart from the nod and winks to fans of Wilde and Stoker, there is plenty of plot twists and adventures starting in Ireland and working their way to London. There is real emotion given out dealing with love’s gains and lost. The plot keeps moving forward and it very rarely ever takes a breath. It is a rewarding piece of writing and story telling that pales to a lot of work that is floating around out there today.
Overall, this is a fantastic written, presented and thought provoking novel that over excels even my own expectations and has become one of my all-time favourites. Extremely well-constructed using a Victorian story telling device and improving on it without bogging itself down in pretention prose or trying to be cleverer than what it is. You have a strong constructed love letter to all things horror and Victorian without losing itself in its own identity. This is an honest to goodness fantastic novel that really needs to get noticed because for me, this is one of the most outstanding pieces of fiction that I have read in a long time. I am in awe of the talent that went to put this novel together. Highly recommend to all classic and modern horror readers and one of the best fiction tales in a long time.
July 31, 2019
I absolutely loved Stoker’s Wilde by Steven Hopstaken and Melissa Prusi. I found the premise quite intriguing so I requested it and I got what I expected. An exciting story with original storytelling.
The story is set mostly in London in the late 19th century, between 1876 and 1881. Our 2 lead characters are Bram Stoker - yes, THAT Stoker- and Oscar Wilde -yes, HIM - and a whole set of others. The story is written as journal entries, diaries and letters between the characters. This kind of storytelling feels even more personal like you are reading about actual things that happened to actual people. Stoker and Wilde keep pestering each other and sometimes it feels like they only have hate between them but that is not so.
The story starts with letters Oscar writes to his fiancée. After having dinner with no other than Richard Burton they end up hunting werewolves and vampires. It’s more complicated than that but you have to read the book to find out.
I hope there will be a sequel to this story.
I received a copy of this book from Flame Tree Press through NetGalley.
The story is set mostly in London in the late 19th century, between 1876 and 1881. Our 2 lead characters are Bram Stoker - yes, THAT Stoker- and Oscar Wilde -yes, HIM - and a whole set of others. The story is written as journal entries, diaries and letters between the characters. This kind of storytelling feels even more personal like you are reading about actual things that happened to actual people. Stoker and Wilde keep pestering each other and sometimes it feels like they only have hate between them but that is not so.
The story starts with letters Oscar writes to his fiancée. After having dinner with no other than Richard Burton they end up hunting werewolves and vampires. It’s more complicated than that but you have to read the book to find out.
I hope there will be a sequel to this story.
I received a copy of this book from Flame Tree Press through NetGalley.
October 20, 2020
Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde, two of the most original literary voices ever. Quite a challenge if you're a writer who has decided they are to be the main characters in your story. Not only that, you have decided that they are going to turn demon hunter and track down an evil sect and a nest of vampires, not to mention werewolves and an assortment of other creatures drawn from the depths of hell itself. Stoker's Wilde brings these two literary giants together in a partnership of anything-but kindred spirits. The two men are rivals for the love of the same woman. One of them even marries her. To say they don't like each other is an understatement. But despite their mutual animosity, they must join forces to defeat evil at its very core.
Melissa Prusi and Steven Hopstaken have taken on a mammoth task here - and guess what? They really pulled it off. Their careful research has ensured authenticity, both of real historical events and of the nature and personae of the characters themselves. the tale is told in a series of letters, diary extracts and reports, and the story maintains tension, mystery, scares and some wonderfully witty turns of phrase which you would expect to issue from Oscar Wilde's mouth at even the most inappropriate occasion. This all makes for a gripping, thoroughly entertaining and original tale.
There is a sequel - Stoker's Wilde West - which is next on my list of purchases. Highly recommended
Melissa Prusi and Steven Hopstaken have taken on a mammoth task here - and guess what? They really pulled it off. Their careful research has ensured authenticity, both of real historical events and of the nature and personae of the characters themselves. the tale is told in a series of letters, diary extracts and reports, and the story maintains tension, mystery, scares and some wonderfully witty turns of phrase which you would expect to issue from Oscar Wilde's mouth at even the most inappropriate occasion. This all makes for a gripping, thoroughly entertaining and original tale.
There is a sequel - Stoker's Wilde West - which is next on my list of purchases. Highly recommended
January 26, 2019
How I adore this novel! Couched in journal entries, transcripts of recordings, and letters from various and sundry individuals as collected by the Royally-appointed "White Worm Society" (named I assume for Bram Stoker's delightful LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM, this Society was instituted by Queen Victoria to protect the realm from supernatural incursions and other monsters), STOKER'S WILDE is immensely entertaining and engrossing, whether you are an aficionado of literary fiction and authors, the supernatural and paranormal, or just great characterization and characters that spark flame just from their constant tension and friction, you're going to find something to admire here. Co-authors Steven Hopstaken and Melissa Prusi bring this late-Victorian era, in Dublin, London, and Salisbury, briskly and beautifully alive. I learned so much about Bram Stoker, his wife Florence, and Oscar Wilde (and his brother and widowed mother), as well as Captain Richard Burton. The Victorian Era is one of my favourites (and it goes without saying that Stoker is a favoured author), so this novel was an utter delight. I thoroughly resonated with the characters, and marveled at the revelations and denouements of the twisting plot lines.
April 2, 2020
Just what I needed! Entertaining, witty, nods to history as well as literature and an ample amount of classic horror. Stoker's Wilde is the first novel featuring Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde, plus a host of other historical characters, think Henry Irving, Ellen Terry and a few historical figures who have been renamed for the art of fiction.
Told through a series of letters, diaries, journals otherwise known as an epistolary novel (think Dracula, Les Liasons Dangereuses). The characters are really vividly brought to life, I loved the relationship between Oscar and Bram. Am not going to go into detail with the plot (don't want to spoil anyone's reading pleasure), however the basics are there are such things as werewolves, vampires, et al, the vampires in particular a group led by the Black Bishop are intent on taking over the world, enter our heroes.
I would say you will enjoy it more, if you've read Dracula plus some Oscar Wilde but if not just read it.
Told through a series of letters, diaries, journals otherwise known as an epistolary novel (think Dracula, Les Liasons Dangereuses). The characters are really vividly brought to life, I loved the relationship between Oscar and Bram. Am not going to go into detail with the plot (don't want to spoil anyone's reading pleasure), however the basics are there are such things as werewolves, vampires, et al, the vampires in particular a group led by the Black Bishop are intent on taking over the world, enter our heroes.
I would say you will enjoy it more, if you've read Dracula plus some Oscar Wilde but if not just read it.
September 9, 2020
Bringing Stoker and Wilde together to fight vampires makes for a very good story! This was wonderful! To see two historical figures joining forces to be basically the first vampire hunters(step aside Buffy) was entertaining!
January 17, 2019
I wasn't sure if I was going to love this or not when I started it, but it ended up being a really fun read. The inclusion of correspondence and journal entries gave this a "found footage movie" feel. I hope they make this a series as it seems left open to that in the end. I just love Oscar to bits.
January 13, 2021
Stoker's Wilde by Stephen Hopstaken and Melissa Prusi is a fun, charming, and bloody retelling of the Dracula story infused with real life places, people, and events. And it's SO good!
Like, this is the version of Dracula that I wish had been my introduction to the story. Bram Stoker's novel is a bit... dusty and dry, so this revitalized vision full of charm and humor and gore would be perfect for both fans of Stoker and for people who have never read Dracula before. Stoker's Wilde even takes a similar format to Dracula with it being told though diaries and letters and things.
And I just need to say that comedy is one of my least favorite genres of books, mostly because I'm old and grumpy and wicked and I just don't find it funny. But Stoker's Wilde is pretty damn funny. I laughed out loud several times while reading this.
I also want to mention how impressively researched this novel is. You can tell the authors took their time and meticulously planned and researched this book.
Now for nitpicks, which I don't want to linger on too long.
Even though the story is fun and engaging, I found that the pacing lagged a few times in the middle. Because there are so many characters and side characters and because of the epistolary narrative structure, there are parts that feel a bit tedious while you wait for the characters to catch up to what you already know. But it didn't bother me too much.
There's something at the end, which I don't want to spoil, that was a bit... too much. Conceptually, it was fun and exciting, but actually reading it was not. It was a bit cheesy and very, very silly. But if you are gonna go all out, it certainly was a way to go all out!
I rated Stoker's Wilde by Stephen Hopstaken and Melissa Prusi 4.5 out of 5 stars.
You might like this if you like: a little historical fiction in your horror, Dracula retellings, and laughing with old friends.
Like, this is the version of Dracula that I wish had been my introduction to the story. Bram Stoker's novel is a bit... dusty and dry, so this revitalized vision full of charm and humor and gore would be perfect for both fans of Stoker and for people who have never read Dracula before. Stoker's Wilde even takes a similar format to Dracula with it being told though diaries and letters and things.
And I just need to say that comedy is one of my least favorite genres of books, mostly because I'm old and grumpy and wicked and I just don't find it funny. But Stoker's Wilde is pretty damn funny. I laughed out loud several times while reading this.
I also want to mention how impressively researched this novel is. You can tell the authors took their time and meticulously planned and researched this book.
Now for nitpicks, which I don't want to linger on too long.
Even though the story is fun and engaging, I found that the pacing lagged a few times in the middle. Because there are so many characters and side characters and because of the epistolary narrative structure, there are parts that feel a bit tedious while you wait for the characters to catch up to what you already know. But it didn't bother me too much.
There's something at the end, which I don't want to spoil, that was a bit... too much. Conceptually, it was fun and exciting, but actually reading it was not. It was a bit cheesy and very, very silly. But if you are gonna go all out, it certainly was a way to go all out!
I rated Stoker's Wilde by Stephen Hopstaken and Melissa Prusi 4.5 out of 5 stars.
You might like this if you like: a little historical fiction in your horror, Dracula retellings, and laughing with old friends.
June 10, 2019
A Wild Spook Chase: Stoker's Wilde by Steven Hopstaken and Melissa Prusi
Dear potential reader
The epistolary novel, a novel based on "found" documents, mostly letters, sometimes diary entries and others, has a worthy lineage dating back to the Renaissance. Originally it was most typically used for the romance, for obvious reasons, the first epistolary novels were purported to be exchanges of letters between lovers.
But in the 19th century it also found a very congenial home in the Gothic novel, the predecessor of our horror and terror novels today. The reason is clear, letters, documents, diaries, allow us, dear potential readers, intimate access to the supposed writer's greatest hopes and especially fears and apprehensions. Perhaps the best Gothic epistolary novel ever written is Dracula, penned by one Bram Stoker and published in 1897.
If you haven't yet read Dracula, dear potential reader, you must do so forthwith!
Of course it is not necessary for you to have read Dracula in order to enjoy Stoker's Wilde, but it really would help. You see, Abraham (Bram) Stoker, a hearty. bluff, redheaded Irishman together with Oscar Wilde, also a rather large but effete, fey Irishman, are, dear potential reader, the main protagonists of this pseudo-Gothic epistolary novel.
It starts with a hunt for a werewolf, then vampires, then the uncovering of a dreadful conspiracy and its artful subsequent dismantlement, in between there is theatre, amorous intrigue, marriage and infidelity. I was much afraid upon reading the first chapters, dear potential reader, that this novel would be childish, but my fears proved to be baseless! As a rather piquant sex scene involving Mr Wilde soon put paid and laid to rest, that trepidation.
The rest of the novel is a romp, a bit of a Scooby Doo spook chase with our heroes, the best of frenemies, having eventually to work together to unravel the mystery of the Black Bishop and banish his evilness to the nether world!
If you like the writing of Kim Newman, the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen graphic novels by Alan Moore, you know what to expect: sterling neogothic.
Yours most sincerely,
Clariana
P.S. Thanks are due as always to NetGalley and also to Flame Tree Press for allowing me to read an early version of this text.
Dear potential reader
The epistolary novel, a novel based on "found" documents, mostly letters, sometimes diary entries and others, has a worthy lineage dating back to the Renaissance. Originally it was most typically used for the romance, for obvious reasons, the first epistolary novels were purported to be exchanges of letters between lovers.
But in the 19th century it also found a very congenial home in the Gothic novel, the predecessor of our horror and terror novels today. The reason is clear, letters, documents, diaries, allow us, dear potential readers, intimate access to the supposed writer's greatest hopes and especially fears and apprehensions. Perhaps the best Gothic epistolary novel ever written is Dracula, penned by one Bram Stoker and published in 1897.
If you haven't yet read Dracula, dear potential reader, you must do so forthwith!
Of course it is not necessary for you to have read Dracula in order to enjoy Stoker's Wilde, but it really would help. You see, Abraham (Bram) Stoker, a hearty. bluff, redheaded Irishman together with Oscar Wilde, also a rather large but effete, fey Irishman, are, dear potential reader, the main protagonists of this pseudo-Gothic epistolary novel.
It starts with a hunt for a werewolf, then vampires, then the uncovering of a dreadful conspiracy and its artful subsequent dismantlement, in between there is theatre, amorous intrigue, marriage and infidelity. I was much afraid upon reading the first chapters, dear potential reader, that this novel would be childish, but my fears proved to be baseless! As a rather piquant sex scene involving Mr Wilde soon put paid and laid to rest, that trepidation.
The rest of the novel is a romp, a bit of a Scooby Doo spook chase with our heroes, the best of frenemies, having eventually to work together to unravel the mystery of the Black Bishop and banish his evilness to the nether world!
If you like the writing of Kim Newman, the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen graphic novels by Alan Moore, you know what to expect: sterling neogothic.
Yours most sincerely,
Clariana
P.S. Thanks are due as always to NetGalley and also to Flame Tree Press for allowing me to read an early version of this text.
January 29, 2019
Before I start, I have a confession to make. Bram Stoker’s Dracula is one of my favourite books of all time. Having read the premise, I was rather dubious about Stoker’s Wilde, and was half expecting to hate it, but I needn’t have worried – it was excellent.
A fictionalised (one assumes) Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde receive their first introduction to the world of the supernatural when a distinguished friend of the Wilde family invites them on a hunt for the killer of a young barmaid in Ireland, cementing their reluctant connection. Despite their best efforts, later events in London bring them back together in order to fight a much greater threat.
The novel is written in epistolary form, as a series of letters, diary entries and other documents, and this method of story-telling along with the style of writing remind me very much of Dracula.
The authors have obviously done a lot of research on Stoker, and have seamlessly woven events from his life into the storyline. I’m not particularly au fait with Wilde’s life or works, so can’t say the same for his storyline, but it fit with what little I know. Some of the other main characters are taken from real life or related fiction, and trying to remember who and what came from where ticked along in the back of my mind whilst I was reading.
All in all, a very enjoyable read. I really didn’t want it to end.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A fictionalised (one assumes) Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde receive their first introduction to the world of the supernatural when a distinguished friend of the Wilde family invites them on a hunt for the killer of a young barmaid in Ireland, cementing their reluctant connection. Despite their best efforts, later events in London bring them back together in order to fight a much greater threat.
The novel is written in epistolary form, as a series of letters, diary entries and other documents, and this method of story-telling along with the style of writing remind me very much of Dracula.
The authors have obviously done a lot of research on Stoker, and have seamlessly woven events from his life into the storyline. I’m not particularly au fait with Wilde’s life or works, so can’t say the same for his storyline, but it fit with what little I know. Some of the other main characters are taken from real life or related fiction, and trying to remember who and what came from where ticked along in the back of my mind whilst I was reading.
All in all, a very enjoyable read. I really didn’t want it to end.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2019
This book was great. Horror and Humor by Stoker and Wilde. It also had vamps, werewolves, and a dragon! I will recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
January 27, 2019
I loved this book. Loved it loved it loved it. If you are a fan of Bram Stoker or Oscar Wilde, then this book will certainly appeal to you. The writing style is great, because the authors really do a fantastic job of seemingly changing personalities when they change characters. This book kept me interested from the very first page and when I got to the end, I found myself wanting more. I was sad to see it go.
The stories all work well together to paint a picture of these two famous authors, and I loved that their rivalry was apparent within these pages. This was so much fun to read that I found myself wanting to shout out passages to those around me. I loved the descriptiveness of this novel and the way you get a sense of the world the characters lived in.
This is such a great book. I definitely recommend that you check it out. This will keep you busy for hours and make you forget everything else going on in your life, at least it did for me.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgally. All opinions are my own.
The stories all work well together to paint a picture of these two famous authors, and I loved that their rivalry was apparent within these pages. This was so much fun to read that I found myself wanting to shout out passages to those around me. I loved the descriptiveness of this novel and the way you get a sense of the world the characters lived in.
This is such a great book. I definitely recommend that you check it out. This will keep you busy for hours and make you forget everything else going on in your life, at least it did for me.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgally. All opinions are my own.
December 23, 2019
A rip-roaring horror adventure bursting with tales of derring-do, bodice-tearing romance, and orgiastic sex and violence. This fun, pacy, epistolary novel features a range of voices (my only criticism is that some of Wilde’s dialogue did not ring true at times, but elsewhere the narrators are evocatively written) & I found myself wishing for more Richard Burton in particular. The devilish details are a pleasure to spot throughout: Fans of Kim Newman’s Anno Dracula series, the Penny Dreadful tv series, and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen comic books, will gobble it up.
April 14, 2020
Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde team up in this novel to save the British Empire, which is under threat from a Vampire cult led by the Black Bishop - a madman who has the power to control the supernatural.
The story starts in Ireland where Bram, Oscar and Oscar's brother Willie, help Sir Richard Burton investigate a suspected Werewolf attack. It's while on the hunt that Bram realises he can sense the supernatural.
Like Stoker's Dracula it is written in the epistolary style, and has a cast of great characters, including Henry Irving and Ellen Terry.
This is a Victorian styled horror with a splash of humour mainly from Oscar Wilde which I found very entertaining.
The story starts in Ireland where Bram, Oscar and Oscar's brother Willie, help Sir Richard Burton investigate a suspected Werewolf attack. It's while on the hunt that Bram realises he can sense the supernatural.
Like Stoker's Dracula it is written in the epistolary style, and has a cast of great characters, including Henry Irving and Ellen Terry.
This is a Victorian styled horror with a splash of humour mainly from Oscar Wilde which I found very entertaining.
November 20, 2023
Absolutely marvellous
May 18, 2020
Unsure if it should be rounded down to 3 or up to 4, erring on the side of generosity (it was an interesting read).
Actual review to come. Hopefully.
Actual review to come. Hopefully.
November 1, 2024
Very self-indulgent and thus a lot of fun.
Read
June 7, 2022Great read. Matching Bram Stoker with Oscar Wilde and sending them after vampires as a team was a stroke of genius. Wonderful, unadulterated fun.
May 10, 2019
"An entertaining, fun read with drama and adventure, werewolves and vampires!"
Full review here! - https://www.scifiandscary.com/stokers...
Full review here! - https://www.scifiandscary.com/stokers...
June 14, 2019
Authentic, witty, delightful - the narrative is in the form of letters to and from the main characters & Archivist's Notes from the White Worm Society (!)
It reads as a 19th century gothic novel, where Oscar Wilde and some family and friends hunt vampires, with the help of Bram Stoker- enough said, you have to read it!
There are hints of Wilde's Portrait of Dorian Grey when he meets the handsome Derrick Pigeon, who wants to stay young and beautiful forever.
Even Teddy Roosevelt makes an appearance.
The only downside is that it does read like correspondence in a 19th century novel , which I like, but if you are not used to that type of narrative, it may sound a bit stuffy at first - but Oscar Wilde's chapters are so witty and so him, they are completely laugh out loud enjoyable.
Note: I love the story of Dracula and was mesmerized by the steamy sex scenes in this book (which were as tastefully done as bloodsucking can be) but now I want to read something wholesome!
Also, I wish this novel was published in September / October - I like to read coming of age and love stories in the spring - my thoughts turn more to horror and the decidedly nasty in the fall.
I am going to read Stoker's Wilde again around Halloween, possibly with a group on Goodreads, but action/adventure like this is good all year round!
My thanks to Maria Tissot at Flame Tree Publishing for allowing me to read this pre-publication.
Flame Tree Publishing | Art of Fine Gifts | Books, Journals & Art Calendars
FLAME TREE PRESS | FICTION WITHOUT FRONTIERS
It reads as a 19th century gothic novel, where Oscar Wilde and some family and friends hunt vampires, with the help of Bram Stoker- enough said, you have to read it!
There are hints of Wilde's Portrait of Dorian Grey when he meets the handsome Derrick Pigeon, who wants to stay young and beautiful forever.
Even Teddy Roosevelt makes an appearance.
The only downside is that it does read like correspondence in a 19th century novel , which I like, but if you are not used to that type of narrative, it may sound a bit stuffy at first - but Oscar Wilde's chapters are so witty and so him, they are completely laugh out loud enjoyable.
Note: I love the story of Dracula and was mesmerized by the steamy sex scenes in this book (which were as tastefully done as bloodsucking can be) but now I want to read something wholesome!
Also, I wish this novel was published in September / October - I like to read coming of age and love stories in the spring - my thoughts turn more to horror and the decidedly nasty in the fall.
I am going to read Stoker's Wilde again around Halloween, possibly with a group on Goodreads, but action/adventure like this is good all year round!
My thanks to Maria Tissot at Flame Tree Publishing for allowing me to read this pre-publication.
Flame Tree Publishing | Art of Fine Gifts | Books, Journals & Art Calendars
FLAME TREE PRESS | FICTION WITHOUT FRONTIERS
June 4, 2019
What a wonderful way to combine two very important writers of the 19th century, and a wee bit of horror and the supernatural. Hopstaken and Prusi, the writing duo behind Stoker's Wilde, have melded the creativity of both men to create an entertaining read.
The result is a band of merry werewolf and vampire slaying men. It reminded me of old classic horror stories and films. However it still manages to weave the oppressive morality laws and the way society seeks to conform individuals to their own set of standards, into the story. This defined Wilde's writing and thought processes, which of course should have a place in his letters.
The book is set up with diary form and journal entries placed intermittently throughout, which have been collected and are held by The White Worm Society. Oscar writes to Florence Balcombe, his wife and later also his literary executor. There are also extracts from Stoker's journal relating his version of the events. It gives the story an air of historical fiction, of someone wading in a piece of written history, and yet at the same time it has the exuberance of an urban fantasy plot.
It works because the writers know their stuff and have done their research. It's important, when using a real historical figure in a fictional setting, to get the facts right, especially when it comes to being able to portray them realistically.
I came away from this read with a sense of nostalgia, despite the fang-toothed bloodsuckers and the furry moon-stalkers. With a need to pick up and read Wilde and Stoker and embrace their words. It's horror meets urban fantasy with a nod to historical fiction.
*I received a courtesy copy*
The result is a band of merry werewolf and vampire slaying men. It reminded me of old classic horror stories and films. However it still manages to weave the oppressive morality laws and the way society seeks to conform individuals to their own set of standards, into the story. This defined Wilde's writing and thought processes, which of course should have a place in his letters.
The book is set up with diary form and journal entries placed intermittently throughout, which have been collected and are held by The White Worm Society. Oscar writes to Florence Balcombe, his wife and later also his literary executor. There are also extracts from Stoker's journal relating his version of the events. It gives the story an air of historical fiction, of someone wading in a piece of written history, and yet at the same time it has the exuberance of an urban fantasy plot.
It works because the writers know their stuff and have done their research. It's important, when using a real historical figure in a fictional setting, to get the facts right, especially when it comes to being able to portray them realistically.
I came away from this read with a sense of nostalgia, despite the fang-toothed bloodsuckers and the furry moon-stalkers. With a need to pick up and read Wilde and Stoker and embrace their words. It's horror meets urban fantasy with a nod to historical fiction.
*I received a courtesy copy*
May 9, 2019
This is absolutely perfect for anyone who enjoys Penny Dreadful or 'The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen', there are gothic easter eggs galore dotted through this series beginner(yes folks, this is BOOK 1!!!! I am so bloody excited about this!)
I am not widely read in the realm of Oscar Wilde as I am Bram Stoker, but their voices ring through loud and clear as distinct and individual narrators. The book is written in letters and diary entries , between major and minor characters, just as Bram's seminal work, 'Dracula' was.
Erudite and witty Wilde versus earthy and solid Stoker is a winning combination-the historical accuracies and overlapping of these two literary titan's lives is enlivened by a werwolf chase in Ireland...which alerts sinister forces that the band of men which hunted it down may jeopordise their plans to overthrow the British Empire...
The Greystone adventure, was an accidental hunt for a werewolf which brough Bram and Wilde closer than they realised possible to the world of the supernatural but what this does is kickstart the attentions of the Black Bishop whose werewolf Wilde and Co have killed.
I absolutely loved it, it's thrilling, exciting and funny as hell-it's a rollercoaster ride through Victorian values, secret societies and deep, dark secrets ........there is nothing that I did not love about it! Roll on book 2!
I am not widely read in the realm of Oscar Wilde as I am Bram Stoker, but their voices ring through loud and clear as distinct and individual narrators. The book is written in letters and diary entries , between major and minor characters, just as Bram's seminal work, 'Dracula' was.
Erudite and witty Wilde versus earthy and solid Stoker is a winning combination-the historical accuracies and overlapping of these two literary titan's lives is enlivened by a werwolf chase in Ireland...which alerts sinister forces that the band of men which hunted it down may jeopordise their plans to overthrow the British Empire...
The Greystone adventure, was an accidental hunt for a werewolf which brough Bram and Wilde closer than they realised possible to the world of the supernatural but what this does is kickstart the attentions of the Black Bishop whose werewolf Wilde and Co have killed.
I absolutely loved it, it's thrilling, exciting and funny as hell-it's a rollercoaster ride through Victorian values, secret societies and deep, dark secrets ........there is nothing that I did not love about it! Roll on book 2!
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