Customer Reviews

HISTORIAN / A NOVEL

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Like all respectable vampire tales, this one spans centuries. However, that is where the similarity ends because I have never read a vampire tale quite like this. The protagonists span three generations. I can see someone turning this book into an epic movie or mini series. Each generation has one or more of its own historians. All are looking for the real Dracula (Prince Vlad Tepes) for both professional and personal reasons. The search for the truth will take them to several different countries and to journeys of self discovery that none anticipated.

Readers I must warn you that if you are hoping for a romance novel, this is not it. There are several love stories woven within and through the primary story, but as compelling as they may sometimes be (I wept at page 526), they take a back seat to the search for the "Dark Prince".

This is an adventure but not in the usual sense as there is really not much action (until near the end). Remember, these are historians so you can imagine their method of searching. I did not find this novel "Genuinely terrifying" as quoted from the Boston Globe but I agree it is "A thrill ride through history" as stated by the Denver Post. If you love history, traveling, and emersion into other cultures, you will love this book. It will feel as if you have been on an exotic vacation.

Warning, I found the first half of the book difficult to read. Elizabeth Kostova is a stickler for details (possibly in the excess) and I found it hard to form attachments to the characters. The initial moving back and forth through different events within several generations was a bit confusing, but if you can hang in there, by the second half of the book you should have a strong bond to one or more of the protagonists and you will be thankful for the details that brought you to that realization.

This is a book that should make you think, "It could happen". I can even see readers who tend to enjoy non-fiction more than fiction finding merit and a great deal of fun in following our heroes through situations that are exotic and yet, believable.

What do our heroes find? I am not one to be accused of creating spoilers. My personal joy is in sharing a book with someone and then watching them discover the prize for themselves. I will tell you that what they find is quite fascinating so enjoy. Oh, and with all the historians in this story, I put this question to you. Who is THE Historian?

Author Elizabeth Kostova's unusual debut novel combines her ten years of scholarly research on Vlad Tepes, the Impaler of Wallachia, sometimes known as Drakulya, with the stories that have become part of local folklore in Bulgaria and Rumania, and the legends created and perpetuated by Bram Stoker (in his novel Dracula). A sadistic prince from the mid-fifteenth century who killed up to 15,000 of his own people, often impaling them on stakes and leaving them to die horrible deaths, Vlad terrified his enemies from the Ottoman Empire, though it was Stoker who created the belief that he was a vampire.

Three people from the twentieth century, all of whom have studied Drakulya and his history, tell interlocking stories here through letters, archived research documents, scholarly lectures, and their own experiences. All believe that Drakulya still walks the earth, selecting his acolytes and spreading his evil through bites on the neck, which leave them "undead." As these characters tell their stories in alternating scenes from different time periods, they travel widely, often to libraries and universities, searching for clues about Drakulya, whom they believe is connected to recent disappearances and deaths.

Historians and scholars will be fascinated by the detailed information revealed in this novel as the three main characters uncover key information about Vlad/Drakulya. The characters' trips to Rumania, Hungary, and Bulgaria, then under Communist rule, provide fascinating glimpses of Eastern Bloc life, both in the cities and in the countryside, and scenes which are set in archives and libraries show the excitement of the scholar on the track of important information. Travels to remote, previously uninvestigated sites connected with Vlad suggest the intriguing nature of field work. The plot is used primarily as a framework which allows the author to disclose the historical Vlad, revealing information slowly as mysteries begin to be solved.

Those looking for a fast-paced blood-and-gore thriller may be disappointed by the author's serious approach. Though the story is often exciting---and has a conclusion which packs a wallop--the characters themselves are undeveloped, and the constant shifting of location as the points of view change makes the stories difficult to follow, at times. Foreshadowing is often obvious, and the use melodramatic elements is sometimes unnecessary and intrusive--a gypsy curse, ghostly appearances in a photograph, feelings of "presences," convenient letters and postcards, and frequent use of coincidence. At almost seven hundred pages, the story sometimes lags because the dramatic tension cannot be maintained when the focus shifts suddenly from action to research. A unique and fascinating story, filled with odd occurrences, this is an interesting combination of scholarship and legend, a debut novel from an author with a promising future. Mary Whipple

Dracula (Literary Touchstone Edition)
Interview with the Vampire

Somewhere in this novel's 676 pages is a marvelous 300 page thriller. Alas, Kostova's editors did not even attempt to find it. Through the premise of the novel is an intriguing one, the tale, like Stoker's Dracula, wanders quite a bit as the book proceeds. At times, I resorted to reading the first sentence of every paragraph until I found some actual movement in the plot. This strategy proved necessary over dozens of pages. The minute detail accompanying nonessential events becomes quite frustrating after the first hundred pages or so. Another problem with the book is the lack of distinctive characterization. Just about all of the characters have similar and prolix narrative voices. There is a real absence of gender difference in the characters' voices as well. In all, a disappointing book.

I read this book a year ago, and I have been searching for an equally good read ever since, sadly without success. I was totally enthralled from the first page to the last. I enjoy historical fiction and historical mysteries, both cravings that this novel satisfied. I do not usually like fantasy/supernatural/horror stories, but Kostova incorporates the vampire theme so deftly that I didn't need to suspend my disbelief for even a moment. The writing is mesmerizing, the characters feel like flesh-and-blood people, and the descriptions of Prague and Humgarian villages made me feel like I'd been there. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I hope Kostova publishes another novel soon.

Ever since Bram Stoker published "Dracula" in 1897 the vampire genre has had a healthy and uninterrupted ascension amongst the works of literature. "The Historian" is one of the latest more successful additions to the Dracula lore and legend. As the title may suggest, the plotline of "The Historian" centers on several generations of related twentieth century historians who are becoming increasingly convinced that the myths and legends behind the historical figure of Count Dracula may in fact have some basis in reality. However, by pursuing several leads in their historic research they thread on thin ice as there seem to be several centuries old conspiracies that aim to keep the truth behind the legends permanently hidden.

One of the book's greatest strengths is the detailed and largely accurate portrayal of various Balkan socialist countries from in the middle decades of the twentieth century. As someone who has grown up in one such country I was able to relate to many aspects of the story that touched upon that historical period. Kostova has a great command of the Balkan history, both modern and ancient. She blends many aspects of that history skillfully in creating a novel that is exciting to read, yet does not go overboard in unnecessarily sensationalizing certain events. This is especially remarkable considering novel's very pronounced supernatural themes.

A great deal of space is dedicated to the character development, and most of the story's tension and poignancy stems from the complex and evolving interpersonal relationships of its protagonists. History is a much more interesting subject when viewed from the point of view of people on whom it leaves the greatest impact. However, because most of the story was told in a form of nested narratives that span three (and sometimes more) generations of historians, it is not always easy to keep track of the events as they enfold. The rich imagery and the fascinating pseudo-historical details can only go so far in sustaining reader's attention over the course of hundreds of pages.

The ending of this book was somewhat abrupt and not nearly as elaborate as all the chapters leading up to it. I got the impression that Kostova either got bored with the narrative and couldn't wait to bring it to a close, or was not all that interested in writing the scenes that involve actual physical confrontations. I wish that more space would have been dedicated to this aspect of the story. The chase and the mystery that push the narrative forward are wonderful, but if they are not reinforced with a powerful ending they leave the reader dangling.

Despite its few shortcomings, this is a very well written, literary and informative modern retelling of the Dracula story.

I have first-hand experience with the time and effort required for historical research. The research done for The Historian must have been a Herculean-effort. The lavishness of Ms. Kostova's details were not cumbersome in the least for me to read in this remarkable book.

I am not a reader of vampire books but am a life-long reader of historical fiction, so I caved in to reading a book about Dracula this time. And I will probably never read another book about Dracula or vampires in the future -- but I will never forget the places Kostova took me to in her story nor the history behind them.

Can you be a Historian? The Historian is a beautifully compiled book. It symbolizes a terrible period in history that many do not even consider as book worthy. Many have written of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) to be a horrible man who is vain and evil beyond belief. Elizabeth Kostova takes into consideration Dracula's love of history and uses the evil within him to create a wonderfully written story. Kostova combines fiction with history while maintaining elegance to the story. The book keeps you enthralled until the very last page. She leaves you to make your own opinion of the history of the dark fifteenth century.
Kostova uses a wonderful style that paints a picture in your head as you read the book. Each word had a connotation to it. Her word choice was exquisite; she always used a variety of diction throughout her story. By using imagery in her details you can see how her book became a bestseller. Her style was highly effect for me because it kept me reading. I always wanted to know what was going to happen next because of the way Kostova wrote her book. She uses analogies that make you relate your own life to a young teenager in the 1970's.
The book had strengths and weaknesses to it. In parts of the book I would get confused when the author would switch to a flashback of the main character's father's life to the actual main characters life. Reading to the last chapter in the book however was worth it. It summed up the book and showed that there was more left to the story but closed a chapter of history. I personally loved having a little bit of romance, history, and fiction to the book. It gave it a high quality that made the book compelling.
I recommend this book to everyone Can you handle the gruesome details of Vlad the Impalers rein? How about the fact that Dracula may still be alive? See for yourself, go out it buy the book know!

Like a great wine with complex flavors and aromas, this book subtly drew me in and kept up its enchantment throughout. It has a completely different structure from most of today's historical thrillers or vampire novels that is part of its charm. There are many books of this size that are a real effort to get into and finish, but not this one. This one was fun. I really enjoyed the author's clean style and realism.
Loved this book and can't wait for the author's next novel.
A young woman finds some curious clues in letters from her deceased father that leads her on an epic journey of discovery to unravel the clues. She finds an ancient threat that may or may not be alive and well in the modern world. She delves into history to understand her own past and the truth of the strange events that had begun to haunt her search.
This book is a lot like an intriguing jigsaw puzzle. If you love puzzles or mysteries, you'll really enjoy this book. If you prefer straightforward stories will plenty of gun battles and explosions, it may not be your cup of tea.

Great book, intricately told tale, with compelling characters (unlike The Shadow of the Wind, which I read recently). The vampire tale is well told, and revealed over time as the daughter discovers her parent's sorrowful tale.

This book brought respect back to modern vampire literature. I honestly think this is a book even Bram Stoker would approve of. Hm... in a nut shell if Bram Stoker and Dan Brown had co-authored this book in the 1970's (although there are story lines going into the cold war) this would be their brain child. It was a bit long but I enjoyed it immensely. Anyone who enjoys Dracula, Frankenstein, Invisible man, etc... would LOVE this. It is the first book in a long time that I have shelved in the "classic monster novel" section of my library. I think that part of the reason I loved this book so much is that it captures the mood and general purpose of these original monster novels. Most vampire books either are excuses to write annoying or dirty romance stories or they revel in the darkness of it too much. This novel hits just the perfect balance of chills without veering into either of these fallbacks. I also liked that a lot of the story was told in the form of letters and historical documents. It is an extremely interesting (and traditional) way to tell this story. There are a few short "scenes" but they re not explicit and are easily skipped over if you are uncomfortable. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes good vampire literature!