The Gates of Life

by Bram Stoker, Mint Editions (Contribution by)

Overview

In "The Gates of Life," Bram Stoker delves into the metaphysical exploration of existence and the human condition, employing a rich tapestry of gothic elements reminiscent of his more famous work, "Dracula." The narrative is punctuated by Stoker's trademark atmospheric prose, which weaves together themes of life, death, and the ethereal boundaries that separate the two. The book is framed in a philosophical context, contemplating the nature of reality and the afterlife, reflecting the Victorian fascination with spirituality and the supernatural at the time of its writing. Bram Stoker, renowned for his mastery of horror fiction, was deeply influenced by his own experiences with mortality and the human psyche. His encounters with literary figures and his interest in folklore and mysticism undoubtedly informed his ideas in "The Gates of Life." The interplay between the corporeal and the spiritual serves as a microcosm of Stoker's broader existential inquiries, drawing on his profound understanding of both literature and human fears. For readers interested in the intersection of gothic literature and philosophical inquiry, "The Gates of Life" is an essential read. Stoker's evocative storytelling and deep thematic exploration make this work a poignant reflection on life's transience and the inexorable pull of the unknown. It is a thoughtful journey that beckons to both scholars and casual readers alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781513287041
Publisher:	Mint Editions
Publication date:	05/11/2021
Series:	Mint Editions (Horrific, Paranormal, Supernatural and Gothic Tales)
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	258
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Bram Stoker (1847-1912) was an Irish novelist. Born in Dublin, Stoker suffered from an unknown illness as a young boy before entering school at the age of seven. He would later remark that the time he spent bedridden enabled him to cultivate his imagination, contributing to his later success as a writer. He attended Trinity College, Dublin from 1864, graduating with a BA before returning to obtain an MA in 1875. After university, he worked as a theatre critic, writing a positive review of acclaimed Victorian actor Henry Irving’s production of Hamlet that would spark a lifelong friendship and working relationship between them. In 1878, Stoker married Florence Balcombe before moving to London, where he would work for the next 27 years as business manager of Irving’s influential Lyceum Theatre. Between his work in London and travels abroad with Irving, Stoker befriended such artists as Oscar Wilde, Walt Whitman, Hall Caine, James Abbott McNeill Whistler, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In 1895, having published several works of fiction and nonfiction, Stoker began writing his masterpiece Dracula (1897) while vacationing at the Kilmarnock Arms Hotel in Cruden Bay, Scotland. Stoker continued to write fiction for the rest of his life, achieving moderate success as a novelist. Known more for his association with London theatre during his life, his reputation as an artist has grown since his death, aided in part by film and television adaptations of Dracula, the enduring popularity of the horror genre, and abundant interest in his work from readers and scholars around the world.