Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803 - 1873) was an English novelist, poet, playwright and politician. A lot of his works contributed to the early growth of the science fiction genre. "A Strange Story" is a mystery novel, which is told from the perspective of Dr. Allan Fenwicke, a rational materialist. He publically debunks the spiritualist beliefs of his fellow physician Dr. Lloyd, and thereby hastens his colleague's demise. Soon after, the Mysterious enters Dr. Fenwicke's logical life in the form of the lovely and dreamy Lillian and the wickedly amoral Mr. Margrave. It is a great and epic story that is full of fantasy and romance.