“The Night Crossing” by Robert Masello – Beyond the Shroud of Evil
In The Night Crossing , he does precisely that as he brings to us a fictionalized telling of Bram Stoker's life, expanding on the man far beyond his immortal novel.
A frustrated writer, he becomes drawn into a web of intrigue surrounding a safe haven founded by the wealthy elite, harbouring a dark and terrible secret, an ancient evil Stoker must confront lest thousands of lives are lost forever.
Robert Masello Reintroduces Bram Stoker
Countless authors have tried to make a name for themselves over the thousands of years humans have known how to write and read, but unfortunately very few succeeded in transcending time, their works staying relevant and revered regardless of the era.
Bram Stoker is one of the more modern authors to have achieved this distinction, creating a horror icon in Dracula which still persists strongly to this very day.
When one's name becomes so well-entrenched in the annals of history, it becomes tempting to see them as larger-than-life, perfect subjects for works of fiction... something perfectly exemplified in Robert Masello's The Night Crossing.
The story opens with some ominous flashes of the Carpathian mountains and an explorer who finds an ancient golden box which she decides to bring back home to London. We take a bit of time to gather some context on the time period we're in, largely focused on the Titanic and its eternally-tragic voyage to the bottom of the sea.
After this, the plot slowly begins to unfold as we are introduced to Bram Stoker himself, a successful theatre manager but a struggling and frustrated writer who hasn't really found his place in the world.
It doesn't take him long to find his sense of purpose though, as he finds himself suddenly plunged into a world of dark and terrible secrets revolving around a mission house founded by the city's wealthy elite.
He begins to put two and two together, realizing what he is confronted with isn't the evil of man, but something far worse, and it's threatening to bring death to thousands if it isn't stopped in time.
Fantasy of Details
The first aspect I would like to mention is the length of the book, being somewhat longer than your average novel at around 430 pages, so you should prepare yourself accordingly.
This means there are some sections in the novel dedicated specifically to building the setting, characters or even just the ambiance in general. This element of the book struck me as exceptionally-solid, and I am now certain Masello would be able to make even the most tedious of historical subjects interesting.
He has an unequaled talent for getting the most out of the smallest details, knowing how to present the little things to give them big implications and a palpable impact. As far as the integrity of the world Masello is trying to build is concerned, I don't believe he could have done a better job.
With this being said however, it does bear a certain impact on the story, especially since it tries to follow multiple storylines all at once. There are various breaks in the action and the development of the events here and there, and while the descriptive passages are certainly a pleasure to read, once I was done with them I realized they didn't really advance the story all that much.
Personally, I was prepared for a slower-paced novel where the action would often take a backseat to character and world-development, and if you plan on enjoying it I recommend you do the same.
While the action is certainly fast and furious when it is happening, it doesn't make up for the bulk of the reading, and I can personally imagine this type of style not being suitable for everyone.
Bram Stoker the Adventurer
I will be the first to admit I lack familiarity with Bram Stoker as both an author and a person, knowing only the vaguest pieces of information about him, the kind which could be classified as common knowledge.
Nevertheless, I quickly took the idea of him being our main lead, going through an adventure which could, in this hypothetical world, serve as the inspiration for his immortal writings.
Though the journey he travels is fairly straightforward, moving from one clue to the next, his personality adds all the colour we could ever ask for.
Once again, while I cannot vouch for how accurately this book represents Stoker he felt believable in the sense I could imagine him having been like this in real life, minus the fighting of ancient evils and such.
The mystery plot itself is quite engaging for those who, like me, enjoy the kinds of large-scale adventures which take us back to ancient times, into the realms of forbidden knowledge, the occult, and any ominous evil they might bring with them.
Rather than actively trying to solve the mystery as the reader, I found myself simply enjoying the ride without trying to predict or anticipate anything... what you would probably call a comfortable rainy Sunday afternoon read.
The Final Verdict
Ultimately, The Night Crossing by Robert Masello is an entertaining and at times educative novel which draws you in with its scenery, history, characters and mystery, all while aptly juggling fictional and real characters seamlessly.
It's the type of book which will cater more to those of you who enjoy slower-paced adventures with a grandiose enigma waiting at the end. If this describes your literary taste in any way, I highly recommend you give this novel a chance.
 | Robert MaselloPersonal site Robert Masello is an author, television writer, and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in renowned publications such as Los Angeles Times, New York magazine, Parade and People. Amongst the various books he has written is Vigil, a USA Today bestseller, as well as the supernatural thrillers Blood and Ice, and Bestiary. He has even written an educational book, Robert's Rules of Writing, which has earned its place across many college classrooms across the country. |
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