- Paperback: 336 pages
- Publisher: Gollancz; New Ed edition (14 Nov 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0575074264
- ISBN-13: 978-0575074262
- Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 2.3 x 19.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 106,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
The Drawing Of The Dark (Fantasy Masterworks)
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Product Description
Book Description
'The Drawing of the Dark is not only one of my favourite Tim Powers novels, it's simply one of my favourite novels. The seamless and seemingly effortless blend of action and humour, the wonderful characters, the rich settings, the brilliant plot - all of it is perfect' James P. Blaylock
Product Description
When Brian Duffy, an ageing soldier of fortune, is recruited in Venice by a strange old man to work as a bouncer in Vienna at an inn where the fabulous Herzwesten beer is brewed, everything seems straightforward. But his journey is far from it. Pursued and attacked from all sides, guarded and guided by creatures of myth, Duffy is no sooner in Vienna than the city is besieged by the turkish armies if Suleiman. And it becomes apparent that Duffy's presence is no accident and that it is up to him to preserve the West until the drawing of the dark...
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First Sentence
ALL NIGHT the hot wind had swept up the Adriatic, and from the crowded docks down by the arsenale to the Isola di San Chiara at the western mouth of the Grand Canal, the old city creaked on its pilings like a vast, weary ship; and clouds as ragged as tatters of sailcloth scudded across the face of the full moon, tangling with the silhouettes of a hundred fantastic spires and domes. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
ALL NIGHT the hot wind had swept up the Adriatic, and from the crowded docks down by the arsenale to the Isola di San Chiara at the western mouth of the Grand Canal, the old city creaked on its pilings like a vast, weary ship; and clouds as ragged as tatters of sailcloth scudded across the face of the full moon, tangling with the silhouettes of a hundred fantastic spires and domes. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book was the first book of Powers' that I read, recommended by a friend. I thought it was really good and so went on to read a lot of his other stuff. Unfortunately, he's not always stayed as good.
The story involves Brian Duffy, an Irish soldier of fortune, who is lured to Vienna to act as a bouncer by an mysterious old man. Vienna is under siege by the Turks at the time and eventually Duffy discovers the real reason for this (which I won't reveal) and his role in preventing them accomplishing their true purpose. This mediaeval mystical conspiracy theory sounds vaguely ludicrous, as Duffy himself relates to a friend, and this level of wry humour is what has been missing from Powers' recent books. Powers has continued with his mystical conspiracy theories of history, incidentally, "The Anubis Gates" and "On Stranger Tides" being good examples of this (and good books.) He's less successful importing this mystical conspiracy theory stuff into the modern day.
Back to this book. It's well written, interesting, historically accurate in the historical parts (and who can say about the mystical conspiracy theory) and wryly humourous in place. In short, all you could want from a book. Buy it.
The story involves Brian Duffy, an Irish soldier of fortune, who is lured to Vienna to act as a bouncer by an mysterious old man. Vienna is under siege by the Turks at the time and eventually Duffy discovers the real reason for this (which I won't reveal) and his role in preventing them accomplishing their true purpose. This mediaeval mystical conspiracy theory sounds vaguely ludicrous, as Duffy himself relates to a friend, and this level of wry humour is what has been missing from Powers' recent books. Powers has continued with his mystical conspiracy theories of history, incidentally, "The Anubis Gates" and "On Stranger Tides" being good examples of this (and good books.) He's less successful importing this mystical conspiracy theory stuff into the modern day.
Back to this book. It's well written, interesting, historically accurate in the historical parts (and who can say about the mystical conspiracy theory) and wryly humourous in place. In short, all you could want from a book. Buy it.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Drawing of the Dark is a fun book that easily fills up a week's worth of train rides to work. The basic plot concerns an old veteran soldier called on to save the world by an old wizard. Unlike David Gemmel's work, though, the hero in this book is not quite world weary and cynical. Instead he has his eyes set on whisking away the girl he loved to a cottage someplace far from Vienna.
Overall Tim Powers has a way of making characters fresh and engaging in a way that too many writers fail to appreciate. The plot of the book itself is largely inconsequential, but that's ok. The action is thrilling, the dialog is sharp and witty and the historical authenticity somehow adds to the fantastic element of the book. The protagonist is very well realised, to the extent that Brian Duffy lives on in your head long after the book is finished.
Although Last Call has a similar protagonist and is by far a better book, The Drawing of the Dark is a short, fun read that easily holds its head above the morass that is modern fantasy.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Many years ago I heard the name of Tim Powers being whispered about. A name that went with a title, "The Anubis Gates" and words such as "brilliant", "imaginative" and "excellent". When I finally read that novel I agreed and determined to read other books by Mr Powers.
I have enjoyed all the books that I have read so far, but this one, "The Drawing of the Dark" is the best I have read. The characters are rich and well drawn. The story is captivating and I read it in one sitting it was that good.
I would rank this as one of the best books I have ever read. Once again it demonstrates Tim Powers' imagination and ability to write great fantasy fiction. It is a pity that he does not seem to enjoy that much success in the UK. Do people only ever buy and read production line books? That can be the only explanation for why the highly innovative and well-written books of Tim Powers never do that well here. Treat yourself - buy this book and read it!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Nobody builds new mythologies like Tim Powers!
It's 1529 and Brian Duffy is an ex-mercenary past his prime, still a fighter but now bereft of passion or cause, and gradually turning to drink. Read more
Published on 21 May 2010 by S. J. Rapaport
This is an awesome book, on a par with Anubis Gates
I held off on buying this because I was unsure if it wouldnt be disappointing following The Anubis Gates but I shouldnt have, its an awesome read. Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2009 by Lark
Fast Fantasy Fun
If you like your fantasy to be fun and fast moving then this is the book for you.
Powers has always had an almost frantic imagination. Read more
Powers has always had an almost frantic imagination. Read more
Published on 23 Mar 2008 by William Meikle
Uneven
In short: If you've never read Powers before, read Last Call or Anubis Gates first. Powers's wild ideas (in the "I don't what you've enjoyed but I'll want it, double" category) and... Read more
Published on 14 Mar 2007 by Ville Halonen
Endings
Writing...excellent. Characters...brilliant. Story....good. Ending...poor. The ending was rushed and disapointing. Read more
Published on 21 Sep 2005 by T. H. Duncan
drink beer
Tim Powers has obviously been in the pub with me (or someone like me). Beer has been such a part of western culture for so long, I'm amazed that he's the only author I've read that... Read more
Published on 17 Sep 2005 by Stuart Mcmillan
Powers on 3/4 throttle
I rated this work as a 4 out of 5 only because for what he's writing about there's not much competition. We all know the 'fantasy' market is 90% bilge and 10% literature. Read more
Published on 16 July 2004 by "pharlapjones"
Medieval History with a difference
Set at the time of the Ottoman invasion of Austria, this books draws on historical and legendary fact with enough supernatural happenings to keep you entranced. Read more
Published on 8 Nov 2001 by I. Jones
Early gem by now-established cult author
Displays the narrative and dialogue skills of his later novels and the themes of magical kingship and wine cults (well, beer in this case) later elaborated in his masterpiece Last... Read more
Published on 24 Sep 2000
A fantasy classic
Tim Powers has not written a duff book yet, but this, the first of his that I read, is his best. It draws together themes and traditions from western mythology in a way that makes... Read more
Published on 18 Aug 2000
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