Sir Richard F Burton

Vikram and the Vampire Sir Richard F Burton

Although not a direct translation of the original Sanskrit, this version is the most common English adaptation as it is easier to read and understand compared to a full and true translation of the original. The framing of the stories may seem strange as twenty-four of the twenty-five tales are set within the framework of the last. The stories are each a telling of the capture of the vampire spirit who in turn asks the main character, a king, a riddle, the king is challenged to answer correctly to start the chase all over. The king hopes to catch the spirit in a promise to an Indian sorcerer who has his own nefarious reasons for its capture.