There are those who maintain that Bram Stoker was a relatively talentless hack who got lucky with one book, and spent the rest of his time playing second fiddle to actor Henry Irving. It's an opinion I don't necessarily agree with, but can certain understand. Stoker's novels outside Dracula have little appeal, and even his best known work is an overlong book which starts out well but then completely fails to maintain its early momentum, instead deteriorating into an extremely long-winded tale in which little actually happens. When Christopher Lee complained about film-makers not following the story of the novel accurately, he was missing the point: a literal filmic interpretation of Dracula would be like watching paint dry.

Paul Murray's book attempts to counter claims that Stoker was a one hit wonder hack in this exhaustive and lengthy biography. Murray certainly knows his subject, and gives a thorough account of Stoker's life, from growing up in Ireland to working as a civil servant to becoming manger of London's Lyceum Theatre, where he worked with Irving. He also tackles - without actually reaching any conclusions - the thorny subjects of Stoker's possible - on the face of his suspiciously close relationship with Irving and other men, probable - homosexuality and the claims that he died of syphilis.

While undoubtedly well written and researched, Murray's book falls into much the same trap as Stoker's most famous novel, namely that the bulk of it is taken up with detailed minutia that few people will be interested in. Let's be honest - outside of his novels, Stoker was a thoroughly average fellow, and the life story of a civil servant turned theatrical manager is not a gripping read.

Recommended for Stoker completists only.

DAVID FLINT

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