4.5 Stars ⭐️

I have both the hardback and paperback editions of this book. I managed to obtain them for just a dollar or two each. The paperback, I plan to utilize for a project.

In fact, I have listened to one of the audio versions available from the library! I absolutely love it and have decided to purchase this particular audio version on Audible.

This book has received a range of reviews, both positive and negative. However, I have a special affinity for it. I'm not entirely sure if it's because the narrator is so出色 that it keeps me engaged and not at all bored, or if I would still have the same level of affection for it if I were reading it in its physical form. Nevertheless, I'm definitely keeping my hardback copy!

Mel

Breathtakingly suspenseful and beautifully written...

The search for the truth becomes an adventure of monumental proportions...

A feat of storytelling so rich, so hypnotic, so exciting that it has enthralled readers around the world.

Hmm, was I really reading the correct book? Because I didn't experience any of that from this story at all.

While I have a penchant for books that are replete with historic detail, I felt that "The Historian" had an overabundance of it. At times, I truly began to feel as if I was perusing a history textbook. I grew extremely impatient and yearned for the story to progress at a more rapid pace. It seemed to me that whenever the book would start to gain momentum, it would once again become mired down by yet another history lesson. The history portions were indeed crucial to the book, and some of it was interesting, but there was just an excessive amount of rambling on and on...and on. It was an extremely long book, consisting of over 900 pages. I don't necessarily have an aversion to very long books. I've read quite a number of them, but I didn't think this one needed to be of such great length. This book definitely required more editing.

Another aspect that I disliked about this book was the fact that whenever something exciting began to unfold, I would be left disappointed as it would end far too soon. At one particular point, there were bad guys pursuing two characters, and then the point of view switched right in the middle of it. When we returned to the two characters, they were in a different location, and no explanation was provided as to how they managed to escape. It felt as though the bad guys in the book were merely there to "pose for the camera" so that we wouldn't forget their presence and then depart so that we could return to all the history.

Also, the entire reason underlying what was happening in the book was so absurd that it bordered on being comical. So Dracula was a bookworm, who would have thought. Well okay, technically he was a historian, whatever... I truly find it难以置信 that this was the reason Professor Rossi was abducted and all those mysterious books were given to people.

On the positive side, I do think the concept of Dracula being real and alive, and the main character discovering that she is descended from him was a good one. It simply should have been far more exciting than this. This was an incredibly dull and disappointing read.

Review also posted at Writings of a Reader

This is the fourth time I have delved into this captivating gothic novel about Dracula, both the historical figure and the fearsome vampire, and those who dare to hunt him. And I must say, it still manages to astonish me!

Despite having some happy coincidences, Dracula's motivation for his actions is somewhat lackluster (I won't go into details to avoid spoilers), and there are a few minor plot holes here and there. However, I have decided to upgrade it to a five-star rating.

This novel is so exquisitely written and utterly riveting that I can easily overlook its flaws and simply allow myself to be repeatedly blown away. Kostova has crafted the perfect armchair traveling book, also known as a travelogue. She takes us on a journey from the States to England, the Netherlands, Greece, France, Turkey, Romania, Hungary, and more, all within different time frames and points of view. With the skill of a master storyteller, she knows precisely when to advance the plot and when to slow it down, sharing with us readers the fruits of her extensive research. After all, it's called The Historian for a reason.

Last but not least, Kostova's prose is simply beautiful. At times, it has an old-fashioned charm that borders on the ornate (but in a wonderful way), and at other times, it is downright effective and to the point. Once again, the perfect balance creates the perfect rhythm, which in turn equals a perfect story. Well, almost perfect...

In conclusion, if you have a penchant for big, fat Gothic books and consider yourself an armchair traveler, then don't hesitate to pick up this novel. You won't be disappointed. You're in for a real treat!

OLIVIER DELAYE

Author of the SEBASTEN OF ATLANTIS series

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If there were negative stars, I would give them to this book. OMG, words truly fail me.

On second thought, they don't. Let me vividly describe the ways this book sucked.

First off, it sucked because it had the potential to be a brilliant book. The essence was in there, somewhere within the 642 pages. I would dare to say that it was about 300 pages too long. By page 201, the story was still plodding along unmercifully.

The way it is written, in first person, is extremely choppy. Some chapters are told by the "dad" character - Paul, while others are told by the "daughter" character.

The story is about vampires/Drakula and how a professor - Rossi - researched to discover more about an empty book with a dragon picture in it. Paul received the same kind of book, as do others woven into the story. The daughter finds papers and letters on her father's bookshelf and gets him to start telling his story.

There is a cast of characters in the book that finally converge in the last chapter or two - about 300 pages too late in my opinion - to help the final story unfold. But at this point, you are expecting something grand and wonderful. It's just a huge disappointment. I finished it thinking, "THATS IT??" That is what I wasted 3 nights of reading on.

Remember the classic Christmas movie - A Christmas Story - when Ralphie gets the Secret Decoder Ring in the mail and decodes the secret message "Drink your Ovaltine" and says, "Thats it?!? A CRUMMY COMMERCIAL"?

That is exactly how you will feel when you finish this crappy novel. You will feel cheated.

It's a shame too - it has all the makings of a great story, I think, but it just wasn't executed properly. I don't mind long books either - some of my favorites run in the 800-page realm. But this one just plodded and plodded along. You kept getting to the next chapter thinking, "surely it will pick up now."

It NEVER DOES.

I wouldn't say that the plot of "The Historian" is some kind of trivial vampire drama with historical elements, but the way Elizabeth Kostova writes, her language, is charming and captivating. Exactly for this reason, I decided to read the book to the end - for the pleasure of reading the beautiful and harmonious expression of the author.

Elizabeth Kostova shows us a different perspective on the history of Vlad the Impaler and makes it in a much more interesting way.

I read quite a few negative opinions about the book, with which I personally cannot completely agree. The story captured my interest, not because of the overly familiar versions of Dracula, but because of the mysterious, exciting and adventurous way in which it is told...

But...

The narration is a bit more drawn out and relaxed than necessary, which is a bit tiring at times. The vampire proofs carelessly and somewhat haphazardly thrown in separate parts seemed quite superficial and unconvincing.

The story started relatively intriguingly, but then it developed in fits and starts. There were parts where I flipped through the pages with great interest, and others that dragged on tediously. The historical facts were very skillfully incorporated into the narration.

"The Historian" is constructed extremely excitingly, similar to a matryoshka - several stories, nested one inside the other.

Despite the excessive stretching of the plot, overall "The Historian" appealed to me a lot. Elizabeth Kostova writes so touchingly that I close my eyes to all the things that weren't exactly to my taste. My rating is about 3.5, but this time I'm rounding up to 4 :))

A modern take on the Dracula story

truly intrigued me initially. It bore some resemblance to The Da Vinci Code in certain aspects. The narrative was a real pageturner, filled with a palpable atmosphere and set in exotic locations. The blend of danger, romance, and the secrets of history made it seem highly engaging.

However, as I reached the end, I couldn't help but think, "What a minute. That plot made no sense." In my view, Dracula's motivation was at best sketchy, and the decisions made by the characters just didn't seem believable.

Without revealing the plot, that's all I can say. I encourage you to read it and form your own opinion. I was willing to suspend my disbelief throughout the entire book. But only after finishing did I feel a bit cheated.

My advice to you is to simply enjoy it for what it is and not dwell on the inconsistencies once you're done. After all, sometimes it's okay to just have a bit of fun with a story, even if it doesn't hold up under close scrutiny.

I read this book over ten years ago and am so glad I decided to reread it this year.

The writing is truly remarkable, so lush with detail and beautifully crafted. It's as if the words on the page come alive, painting a vivid picture in my mind.

I absolutely adored Paul. His sense of purpose was palpable, his passion burned bright, and his determination to see things through was truly inspiring.

Walking through the rich history that this book delves into was an absolute delight. It made me long to visit Budapest and Bulgaria, to tour the monasteries and towns there, and to soak up the atmosphere that the author so skillfully describes.

Helen, on the other hand, is a more complex character. I like her, but I disagree with some of her actions, which sometimes make me want to smack her.

I love when an author can evoke such a wide range of emotions in me. It's a testament to her skills as a writer.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who loves vampires. It offers a fresh and unique take on an old tale, and it truly does not disappoint.

One thing's for sure: this book will have you curious about Bram Stoker's Dracula. That is, if you're like me, perhaps one of the few who haven't read the book, seen the movie, or even had a smidgen of interest in the story.

However, this isn't the first thing that will draw you into this book. For me, it was the young bookish girl raised by her diplomat-father, and the distinct voice of the fifty-something-year-old woman looking back on her younger years.

I must admit, there is something about the power of the words that Kostova weaves. It had me intrigued by the mystery of the vrykolakas. There's really something captivating about the ambitions of a book that combines several genres into one: mystery, historical fiction, fantasy, and travel writing.

The book travels through Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, the city of Istanbul, and more. It reminds me of why I find historical fiction appealing. In most cases, you know that the authors have spent a significant amount of time researching parts of the world and presenting them to you. This is definitely evident in this book. Even the city descriptions seem authentic, based on the writer's travel experience and historical research.

Most of the book unfolds through backstory and letters. And I'm not kidding when I say the backstory is truly the most appealing in this case. The story follows the Eastern European myth or legend of Vlad Dracula, who was supposedly a lord or voivoda in the western Carpathians in the fifteenth century. Everyone who researches the Count in this story finds themselves on a different path.

The story also follows the estrangement of two people in love. The mystery here is both amusing and alluring, fast-paced at most stages, and annoyingly slow in some instances (like the Zacharias Chronicles). But I won't focus on the mystery.

The mystery wasn't what held my attention. The historical aspect of the novel seemed to overshadow that part. What kept me interested was the surreal storytelling and history. Stories are magically intertwined around history. This was when Kostova was at her best, I think. If you don't like reading about the Byzantines or Ottomans, there's a good chance this book could be off-putting.

For example, there's a moment when the visitors enter a town and a character, Baba Yanka, is dancing barefoot in the fire, "through embers to that mysterious rhythm of drum and bagpipe." She leaves the fire unharmed, and again I was reminded of the several instances in the novel where the storytelling takes these stylistic turns to add light to the dark mystery, heavy history, and of course, the captivating love story.

I have really loved it!

Rather than just reading a book, I felt as if I were traveling.

That's for sure, the ending was a bit rushed.

It was an amazing experience to be immersed in the story and imagine myself in different places and situations.

The author did a great job of creating a vivid and engaging world.

However, towards the end, it seemed like everything was wrapped up too quickly.

I would have liked a more detailed and drawn-out conclusion to fully understand and appreciate the final outcome.

Overall, it was a great read, but the rushed ending left me a bit disappointed.

Nevertheless, I would still recommend this book to others who enjoy adventure and travel stories.

Where I got the book: purchased on Kindle. A book club read.

I first came across this book in the form of an audiobook around the time it was released in 2005. To be honest, I couldn't recall anything about it. I believe I just lost my way because this account of the search for Dracula has three timelines set in different time periods. At times, you can lose sight of one timeline for a significant portion of the book. It was extremely confusing in the audiobook format, but a bit less so in print.

This is one of those novels that is incredibly atmospheric. The monastery on a cliff in France was the setting that really appealed to me. In general, I adored the sweeping panorama of European countries and cultures, especially when some of the protagonists were in Cold War Eastern Europe. If you don't like extensive infodumps of history, this novel may not be for you - after all, it's called The Historian for a reason. However, if you're a patient reader, it can be quite entertaining.

I think I tended to like The Historian more than most of my book club members did. Then again, I'm European and read a lot of classics. While it's not a prerequisite, it does help.

On May 24, 2012, I initially concealed this entire review behind a spoiler alert. However, now that Goodreads has a "hide spoiler" feature, I chose to utilize it and bring out the part of the review that isn't a spoiler.

If Kostova had concluded this homage to the original Dracula without the epilogue, she would have crafted the greatest vampire novel of all time. There is a great deal to admire here. The depth and scope of the plotting are remarkable, as are the superb characterizations. The author skillfully emulates Stoker's epistolary style and extends it across three generations, creating a powerful resonance. The sumptuous, detail-laden prose style, with vivid descriptions of foreign locales that clearly stem from personal experience, adds to the allure. As a librarian, I especially appreciate the emphasis on library and archival research, given that the hunters are seeking the resting place of a 500-year-old vampire. This fictional research clearly reflects a vast amount of actual authorial research, enriching the novel. I also liked the absence of illicit sex and the minimization of blood and gore. Christian elements are not as prominent as in Stoker's original, but they are present: several main characters are religious skeptics yet still make use of crucifixes and holy water. The novel engaged my emotions almost from the start, and the final chapter would have made an outstanding finale.

Unfortunately, Kostova attaches an epilogue which, although ambiguous, almost certainly conveys the idea that Dracula didn't die and cannot be killed regardless of what one does. The stark moral pessimism and defeatism of this view completely nullify the triumph of the last chapter. Moreover, I contend that it is a violation of the traditional conventions of vampire lore, as part of that lore involves how vampires are killed. I don't believe simply assuming that it doesn't work showcases authorial discipline. Without the epilogue, I would have rated the book four or five stars.

The Historian

By Elizabeth Kostova


Kostova received a staggering two million dollars for this debut novel, an almost unheard-of sum for an unknown writer. This hefty amount surely went a long way in reimbursing her extensive research expenses for writing The Historian. Make no mistake, this is a lush and beautiful book. Each passage is meticulously detailed, reminiscent of the grand medieval cathedrals and libraries where the story unfolds. The reader is swiftly drawn into the past, presented with Kostova's vast knowledge of the Ottoman Empire, Eastern European folklore, and the legend of Dracula.

At its heart, The Historian is the story of a young man, Paul xxxx, who believes his missing professor has been abducted by the evil Vlad Tpesch, Dracula. Paul is drawn into a world where history and myth intertwine. He receives a mysterious book, blank except for a chilling dragon emblem at its center. When he shows this to his mentor, Professor Rossi, it sets off a chain of events that lead him from his university in London to Constantinople, Romania, Bulgaria, and eventually the Transylvania province of Walachia. Along the way, he meets a mysterious Romanian woman also searching for Rossi, a noble Turkish Scholar, various priests, and numerous villains. His path is dogged by bureaucrats and the undead, making this a long and complicated search for both Rossi and Dracula.

Most vampire tales rely on cliched elements like cloaked figures with gleaming fangs jumping out of dark alleys or transforming into giant bats to prey on innocent victims. The Historian, however, has none of this melodramatic buildup. It plods along, gathering information about the real Walachian Prince, taunting the hero, his female companion, and the reader with some menace and a few appearances of an undead librarian. But for the most part, the actual blood-sucking is minimal. As a history buff, I find the background information and the search for Dracula interesting. It has the feel of a research paper, but an intriguing one. However, as a fan of vampire stories, I find the slow, methodical pace and lack of actual sightings of the fiend irksome. It drags in too many places and goes off on historical tangents that a scary story perhaps shouldn't. I can't decide if the historical aspects and their amazing depth help or hinder this book. It seems to me that Kostova could have tightened the whole thing up and gotten to the heart of the matter and the stake through its heart sooner.

I found The Historian to be rich and luxurious, like a mink coat. Unfortunately, the pacing and unrelenting narrative make it about as useful as a mink coat in Florida. Still, I wouldn't mind reading the next novel Kostova writes, maybe a biography of one of the historical characters in this book, as she has a wonderful ability to bring her characters to life. My only hope is that Kostova spent her two million dollar advance wisely, hopefully not on a mink coat.