The Coming Race (ePub)

Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, first Baron Lytton (1803-1873), was a prominent English novelist, poet, playwright, and politician, best known for his aphorism, 'The pen is mightier than the sword.' A prolific writer, Bulwer-Lytton penned a significant number of literary works that have earned him a place in the annals of English literature. His novel 'The Coming Race' (1871), a pioneering work in the science fiction genre, hints at his versatility and imagination, exploring themes of a subterranean world dominated by a superior human race known as the Vril-ya. His contribution, however, extends beyond this singular work. Notably, his novel 'Pellucidar', his historical romances such as 'The Last Days of Pompeii' (1834), and his occult interests in works like 'A Strange Story' (1862) demonstrate his adept handling of a broad range of themes from the contemporary social scene to the historical and fantastic. Bulwer-Lytton's literary style is characterized by a complex, sometimes florid, narrative and a keen interest in exploring the societal mores of his time. Throughout his literary career, he achieved significant acclaim, though in later years his reputation waned. In present-day discussions, his work is subject to a reevaluation that acknowledges both his achievements in genre diversification and his impact on Victorian literature (Christensen, 1977; Mitchell, 1998).