By GRACE DETWILER
Written by Bram Stoker
Edited by Paul Knappett
Miami Fox Publishing
UK based publishing house, Miami Fox Publishing, has released a lesser known Bram Stoker novel as the next book in their ‘eBook Classics’ series. The eBook of THE LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM, better known for its 1988 film adaptation by Ken Russell, has been updated by Miami Fox to include a newly designed VHS-style cover, featuring retro art from the film itself. As the last novel to be published before Stoker’s death in 1912, THE LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM has drawn both compliment and criticism for its strangeness and departure from Stoker’s famed Dracula.
The digital publication from Miami Fox features, in addition to the novel’s text, an assortment of complementary articles including, “The Making of The Lair of the White Worm The Movie” and “25 Forgotten Fang Flicks.” Also included are illustrations based on the text’s 1911 advertisements, but with an ‘80’s VHS vampire flick’ twist. The publication is meant to pay homage to Russell’s film, which has since become a cult classic and stars Hugh Grant in one of his first leading roles.
THE LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM, described by some as an overlooked classic of the Gothic genre, has also faced criticism for both its blatant racism and sexism. There is hardly a review to be found that does not mention these themes, and for good reason. However, a critical reading of Stoker’s penny-dreadful exposes the vein of imperialistic sentiment that runs through most Victorian horror literature, and bleeds it dry. And for lovers of the film, THE LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM eBook can serve as a collector’s item featuring art and articles based on Russell’s vampiric re-imagining of the text.
Says Miami Fox of the publication, “We decided to have a crack-at-whip, bringing the classic back from the dead. [We] wanted to pay homage, not just to Stoker, but the genre in general…We are really proud of the release. And we will continue to keep knocking down walls and giving readers a bang for their book.” A link to purchase THE LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM eBook can be found here.
Film Trailer:
