In late 2023, Brian Cleary visited the National Library of Ireland’s archives, shockingly discovering a lost piece of writing, by legendary “Dracula” author Bram Stoker believed to heavily influence his later work, that may have not been read for over a century.
“Gibbet Hill”, a Stoker short story, appeared in an 1891 edition of the Irish Daily Mail and is perpetuated with an unsettling and ominous tone shown in phrases such as “worms, wiggling”, features which Stoker would become renowned for in his later more famous works.
Set against the evocative backdrop of Victorian England and the dark allure of Gothic Transylvania, “Dracula” intricately explores themes of superstition, sexuality, and the tension between ancient malevolence and the emerging modern world.
Historically, the novel serves as a reflection of the deep-seated anxieties that characterized late 19th-century Victorian society.
It grapples with pressing issues such as sexuality, the complexities of immigration, and the pervasive fear of the unknown that haunted people during this period.
Through its portrayal of the undead and supernatural elements, the novel crafts a rich metaphor for these societal fears, revealing how the threat of ancient evils resonates with contemporary anxieties and challenges.
This multifaceted narrative invites readers to ponder the implications of these themes, both in the context of its time and in our own. Similarly, in “Gibbet Hill”, Stoker employs sexual undertones with the extended phallic metaphor of a snake and follows a similar mysterious, dark tone as the one peppered throughout Dracula.
Paul Murray, author of “From the Shadow of Dracula: A Life of Bram Stoker”, told the BBC “It's a classic Stoker story; the struggle between good and evil, evil which crops up in exotic and unexplained ways,” showing the significance in similarity between the two pieces of work with Gibbet Hill published just seven years prior.
It is clear that this is an outstanding discovery and piece of work that gives us evidence of Stoker evolving as a writer and developing his gothic style.
The short story is believed to be available in print by November 18th with illustrations by Irish artist Paul McKinley and will be formally introduced at Dublin's Bram Stoker Festival this month.
All proceeds of the book are said to be donated to the Charlotte Stoker Fund which advocates for research on deafness in vulnerable, newborn babies.
