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The Drawing of the Dark

A Novel

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The Drawing of the Dark

By: Tim Powers
Narrated by: Charles Johnston
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Brian Duffy, aging soldier of fortune, had been hired in Venice by a strange old man who called himself Aurelianus Ambrosius. He was supposed to go to Vienna and act as bouncer at an inn where the fabulous Herzwesten beer was brewed. That was clear enough.

But why was he guided and guarded on the trip by creatures from the ancient legends? Why should he be attacked by ifrits and saved by mythical dwarfs? What was so important about the Herzwesten beer to the Fisher King—whoever he was? Why was Duffy plagued by visions of a sword and an arm rising from a lake? And what had a bunch of drunken, ancient Vikings to do with it all?

Then there was no time for speculation as Vienna was besieged by the Turkish armies of Suleiman. Duffy found himself drawn into a war of desperation and magic. It was up to him to preserve the West until the drawing of the Dark.

©1979 Tim Powers (P)2024 Tantor Action & Adventure Fantasy Humorous
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One of favourite books ever, Tim Powers doing what he does best and brought to life by outstandingly good narration. Can we have Anubis Gates now please?

A work of genius performed perfectly

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Can’t believe it’s 45 years since this was first published. Or that it’s taken this long to get an audio edition release. Well worth the wait though.

Great Reading of This Neglected Fantasy Classic

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I have read this book numerous times over the years and having it read aloud made it new to me again. A delight. Incidentally please publish an audiobook of Last Call, the second and third in the series are available but not the first.

An old favourite revisited.

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Great story, great narration. Excellent for ale-drinking, fantasy-reading military history buffs. Would never get published nowadays because it's not very nuanced in terms of who the bad guys are, but if you read it in the context of a 1970s fantasy story about 16th century magically-aided battles then it's nowhere near as offensive to modern eyes as it could have been!

A classic.

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So glad to see this book finally an audio. In the year 1529, The legendary King Arthur returns to defend Vienna against the Turks in the form of a crusty old Irish mercenary called Duffy. This is the most satisfactory combination of fantasy with a very detailed knowledge of historical fact that I’ve ever come across. .this has always been one of my very favorites.

Great performance

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