Powers of Darkness

The Lost Version of Dracula

Powers of Darkness is an incredible literary discovery. In 1900, Icelandic publisher and writer Valdimar Asmundsson set out to translate Bram Stoker's 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 Stoker's preface to the book.

However, no one looked beyond the preface and deeper into Asmundsson's story. In 2014, literary researcher Hans de Roos dove into the full text of Makt Myrkranna, only to discover that Asmundsson hadn't merely translated Dracula but had penned an entirely new version of the story, with all new characters and a totally reworked plot. The resulting narrative is one that is shorter, punchier, more erotic, and perhaps even more suspenseful than Stoker's 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 Asmundsson's Makt Myrkranna. With a foreword by Dacre Stoker, Bram Stoker's great-grandnephew and best-selling 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc. (P)2018 Hans Corneel de Roos

An excellent first act that doesn't stick the landing.

This book is an amazing piece of literary history. It most certainly captures the horror in the first act but feels rushed through out the rest of the story. I wish this strange wonderful version had been given a chance to breathe properly.

Excellent contemporary varient of this iconic character

this is a must read for any fan of Bram Stoker's Dracula. While some of the finer points are very and the pacing is different from the story most western audiences are familiar with it is worth your time.

this production of the story has a very long preamble that explains the history of how this version of the story came to be known with facts supporting the argument that at some point Bram Stoker was involved in this writing of the story but may have been unaware of more of the changes towards the end. if you find the beginning of this a little long and dry go ahead and Skip right to the story just to enjoy it

Good but felt cheated at the end

Not sure if I missed something in the description but the first half is very well done but the second half feels like a cliff notes version of the story

Not bad, but skip ahead to Chapter 11

The first 10 chapters are background for this version of Dracula. It sounds like an abbreviated dissertation. Chapter 11 is an "author's note." The actual story begins at Chapter 12. I suggest skipping ahead to the story, then listening to the first ten chapters if interested. Otherwise, not a bad listen at all.

Brilliance found in a lost story.

Fantastic narration of a timeless classic coupled with very interesting, historical accounts of Bram Stoker's original Dracula, skillfully retold in this more detailed, colorful version that leaves one with a lot of questions to ponder. 5 stars! *****.