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Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2017 11:59 am
by Five
From the sleeve:

"In 1901 Icelandic publisher and writer Valdimar Asmundsson set out to translate Bram Stoker's classic novel, Dracula. Called Makt Myrkranna, this Icelandic version was unnoticed outside the country until 1986, when Dracula scholars discovered Stoker's original preface to the book. It was not until 2014, however, that noted Dracula scholar Hans Corneel de Roos realized that Asmundsson hadn't merely translated Dracula but had, rather, penned an entirely new version of the story, with some all-new characters and a re-worked plot. The resulting narrative is one that is shorter, punchier, more erotic, and rivals the original in terms of suspense."

Not twenty minutes ago I got my copy in the mail, so I haven't actually been able to compare the two tales. And as I just started reading Basil Copper's "The Curse of the Fleers" (not the supposedly shredded version) last night, it will be some time before I can get around to it.

Has anybody read this book yet?

Thoughts?

Re: Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 7:40 am
by Jonathan Winters
I'd be really curious to hear from you when you're done.

Never heard of this one.
Thank you!

Patrick

Re: Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula

Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 3:31 pm
by Zilfer
Kind of curious as well! (Just wanted to let you know there's an interest in what you think!)

Re: Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula

Posted: Wed May 17, 2017 6:59 am
by Alastor
Yes, I've read it. It isn't quite as good as the original, in my opinion, and the ending seems a little contrived compared to the rest of the story. However, there are some interesting ideas there which would make good material for a game session or two.
VIEW CONTENT:
For instance, Dracula seems to be both the leader of a cult and of a conspiracy to take over England.

Re: Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula

Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 9:39 pm
by Five
I forgot I posted this thread...

I finished this book maybe a week after I created this thread. I blew through "The Curse of the Fleers", and Powers of Darkness was a quick read as well.

I won't go into details here just yet, spoilers or otherwise, as I want to re-read Dracula to make a proper comparison, but I will point out a few things that I liked:

Dracula's ambition and..."leadership". Great alternative, imo.

Dracula's party, more specifically its guests (no-one in particular). Shows just how far his plan had gone (and can still go, if someone dares sleep in that coffin).

Dracula's old world masculinity and his sometimes inability to keep it in check. He's a product of days gone by. 'Nuff said.

Overall, I found him to be very dark lordish in this one...

Dracula's female "guest". ;)

Things I didn't like:

The second half (third?) of the book. Bloody hell. It was like an awesomely-gifted storyteller just started nodding off and decided to wave their hand and blah blah the rest of the tale so that they could call it a night. Rotten fruit for that man...boo...hiss

Footnotes. Too many of them. I get it that the TSD (and its members) is all scholarly and stuff, but come on. It was a friggin' eyesore for the most part. Filler. Some decent info/insight, but a distraction for me for the most part.

I had some other stuff to say but I forget it.

I'll touch base again whenever I'm properly prepared.

I say even if you're like me and you could barely make it through Dracula the first time because it was drier than a ____, even if the legend of Dracula (for you) has grown to be more interesting than the original, then you should give it a read. Just cos you're a fan of Ravenloft, and just cos it's possible that this version was based more on Stoker's original ideas than the (re-written?) version presented to the world. Kinda. Maybe.