The
original edition of the Dark Shadows
Almanac proved extremely
popular with fans, and for many of them contemplating purchasing
this update, there will be concern that the new edition fails
to offer sufficient new material. One could be forgiven for
thinking that after 10 years of Dark
Shadows reference books,
that there is simply no need for further books on the show.
However, in spite of my general dislike of rehashed editions,
I find the Dark Shadows
Almanac: Millennium Edition to be an exemplary title,
which will doubtless be treasured by enthusiasts of the series.
If the
previous book felt somewhat uncohesive, with its broad mixture
of facts, trivia and tributes, this book succeeds in feeling
genuinely more authoritative, with a much heavier leaning
towards the factual. While the book has smaller dimensions
than its parent, its hugely increased word and page count
helps make it far more substantial than the original. The
typesetting and design is also a great improvement.
Of the original fan and alumni tributes, only those of David
Selby and scenic designer Sy Tomashoff remain. In their place
are new chapters from Kathryn Leigh Scott, Chris Pennock,
Denise Nickerson, cameraman Stuart Goodman and Lara Parker,
who provides an enthusiastic commentary on her 1998 Dark
Shadows novel Angelique's
Descent. Bringing the
show's story to the present day is a genuinely compelling
chapter from Darren Gross, detailing his recent recovery of
the lost director's cut of the spin-off film Night
of Dark Shadows.
Photographically, this is easily the strongest series guide
ever published, with only a handful of its photographs having
seen print previously. Unlike the original Almanac,
which relied heavily on amateur snapshots to provide illustration,
the new book boasts a genuine wealth of quality photographic
content. Aided by excellent reproduction, particularly in
the vibrant colour section, the pictorial element alone is
worth the purchase price, and will not leave even the most
seasoned of fans disappointed.
Ultimately, though a few minor errors have crept across from
the original, this book manages to genuinely justify its new
edition, drawing and building upon the parent book's strengths
and in both style and content. Entering a library which could
be accused of being dangerously close to satuaration, it is
heartening that the Dark
Shadows Almanac: Millennium Edition
allays these fears by proving itself a definitive guide to
a classic series.
Order
this book from Amazon.com
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