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Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula
Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula | Bram Stoker, Valdimar Asmundsson
10 posts | 7 read | 13 to read
The first-ever translation into English of a newly discovered Icelandic adaptation of Bram Stokers classic gothic novel, Dracula "With the discovery of its vast differences from Dracula, [Powers of Darkness] will have a lasting effect on the world of vampire studies." John Williams, The New York Times Book Review Powers of Darkness is an incredible literary discovery: In 1900, Icelandic publisher and writer Valdimar smundsson set out to translate Bram Stokers world-famous 1897 novel Dracula. Called Makt Myrkranna (literally, Powers of Darkness), this Icelandic edition included an original preface written by Stoker himself. Makt Myrkranna was published in Iceland in 1901 but remained undiscovered outside of the country until 1986, when Dracula scholarship was astonished by the discovery of Stokers preface to the book. However, no one looked beyond the preface and deeper into smundssons story. In 2014, literary researcher Hans de Roos dove into the full text of Makt Myrkranna, only to discover that smundsson hadnt merely translated Dracula but had penned an entirely new version of the story, with all new characters and a totally re-worked plot. The resulting narrative is one that is shorter, punchier, more erotic, and perhaps even more suspenseful than Stokers Dracula. Incredibly, Makt Myrkranna has never been translated or even read outside of Iceland until now. Powers of Darkness presents the first ever translation into English of Stoker and smundssons Makt Myrkranna. With marginal annotations by de Roos providing readers with fascinating historical, cultural, and literary context; a foreword by Dacre Stoker, Bram Stokers great-grandnephew and bestselling author; and an afterword by Dracula scholar John Edgar Browning, Powers of Darkness will amaze and entertain legions of fans of Gothic literature, horror, and vampire fiction.
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Palimpsest
Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula | Bram Stoker, Valdimar Asmundsson
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This book was supposedly the 1901 Icelandic translation by Àsmindsson of Dracula, but Hans de Roos discovered there were “significant textual differences” between the two versions. The beginning trip to Transylvania is increased with added characters and other surprises at the castle while the rest of the story is extremely condensed. I really enjoyed this version as I read Bram Stoker‘s Dracula last year. This is a great translation of Dracula.

Palimpsest #thatsclassic Finished this a bit late for the October read and a slightly different version, but I thought it was great. 3y
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Chrys
Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula | Bram Stoker, Valdimar Asmundsson
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Mehso-so

I wanted to love this, and did enjoy the expanded role of the Count himself and the details in his castle. About 3/4 of story is set there. But the ending is so rushed it almost felt like an afterthought. There were numerous threads that could have been developed and weren‘t, or were left hanging. The final ending felt like reading an outline. Had it been fleshed out all the way through it would have been great. As is is, so-so.

TricksyTails Too bad this wasn't good. It sounds like something I would enjoy. 6y
15 likes1 comment
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Jess
Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula | Bram Stoker, Valdimar Asmundsson
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This is a thing?! This book is coming home with me today. For. Sure.

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quirkyreader
Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula | Bram Stoker, Valdimar Asmundsson
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Aaronlisa
Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula | Bram Stoker, Valdimar Asmundsson
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Book haul in Victoria. Also bought Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's and The Song of Roland.

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I-read-and-eat
Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula | Bram Stoker, Valdimar Asmundsson
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#TBRtempation post! An Icelandic translation of Dracula had only recently been disovered as not just a translation but an adaptation. The book looks beautiful and I love Bram Stoker's Dracula, could this version be even better? It's said to be darker and more sensual. This is the first translation into English.

TheLondonBookworm This is amazing!!! I want it 😍 7y
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8leagueboot
Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula | Bram Stoker, Valdimar Asmundsson
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I'm on a book buying ban for the month of February, but look at it!

SGJ Was just reading about all this on LitHub. So fascinating. http://lithub.com/on-draculas-lost-icelandic-sister-text/ 7y
DiruVamp Ohhhhh that cover!! 😍😍 anything Dracula related and I'm hooked ⚰️ 7y
8leagueboot @DiruVamp as am I! Thoroughly seduced! 7y
LeahBergen I need this! 7y
8leagueboot @LeahBergen haha everyone is making it harder for me to not buy it 7y
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kerry
Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula | Bram Stoker, Valdimar Asmundsson
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Another 13 or so miles this morning on a truly difficult (beautiful!) course and you can bet I won't be moving from this spot any time soon... #runningandreading #intranslation

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kerry
Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula | Bram Stoker, Valdimar Asmundsson
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I've made it to page 67 and I'm only just finished the (very interesting, incredibly thorough) introductions, forward, preface, author's note, and explanation of the map of Dracula's castle. Maybe now that I'm at the start of Chapter 1, we'll get to the story part?

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kerry
Powers of Darkness: The Lost Version of Dracula | Bram Stoker, Valdimar Asmundsson
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I know, I know, we were supposed to read the scary books in October. But I'm curling up with a beer and this 1901 Icelandic translation/adaptation of Dracula (translated back into English...) on a 78-degree November day, and I'm not even sorry. #booksandbeer

StephanieY I need to learn more about this book! 7y
kerry @StephanieY Apparently they thought it was a straight Icelandic translation for the last 100 years and a researcher only recently discovered (realized?) it's actually a retelling of the original... but no one is quite clear if Stoker rewrote or the translator. You can take it when I'm done if you like! 7y
Heather_Reads I need more Icelandic fiction in my life. I just finished one about Vikings and stuff and now I just want all of it. 7y
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