Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803 โ 1873) was an English novelist, poet, playwright and politician. A lot of his works contributed to the early growth of the science fiction genre. โAlice, or the Mysteriesโ is a sequel of authorโs novel โErnest Maltraversโ. It tells the story of the young Ernest, his early love Alice Darvil and his underhanded antagonist Lumley Ferrers. It is also known as an occult novel which emphasizes author's famous esoteric interests.