The first 15 pages of this book are by far the most boring ones I have ever come across in any book.

It was such a struggle to get through those initial pages.

However, in an act of revenge, I have decided to attempt writing the shortest review of "The Historian".

I don't want to waste too much time on a book that failed to engage me from the very beginning.

Maybe others will have a different experience with it, but for me, those first 15 pages were a real turn-off.

I hope my short review will serve as a warning to others who might be considering picking up this book.

Wow, was I ever disappointed in this one!

I initially read the dust jacket on one of my many excursions to the bookstore and was very excited. It had been a long time since I read a really good scary story with vampires. The dust jacket alluded to sleepless nights filled with suspense and horror. I eagerly bought my very own copy and returned home to crawl into bed and begin reading this tale of terror.

Okay, so sometimes books have to start slow. You've got to get the setting right, introduce the characters, outline the plot. All of this takes a lot of hard work, and sometimes hours of research. While the research is necessary (especially for a story involving an actual historical figure), it is NOT, I repeat: NOT, a requirement to include every scrap of research as part of the novel itself. Oh, how angry I got when the story finally started getting good, Ms. Kostova would interject a 20 - 30 page dissertation on the history of the church in the times of Vlad the Impaler! It did nothing to further the plot, and only served to make me feel like I was back in college studying for an exam. Where's the entertainment? Where are the sleepless nights I was promised? When do we get introduced to Dracula?????? Don't worry, he's somewhere in those 686 pages, but if you blink you might miss him!

The research goes so far as to include a number of "fake" source documents. Had these "documents" been merely mentioned and perhaps summarized, I would be all for it. Heck, I AM an archaeologist and historian, remember? But NOOOOO. The author had to create these "documents" and then insert each one WORD-FOR-WORD. One even takes an entire chapter. UGH.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all about well-researched books. In fact, a well-researched and planned book only brings credibility to your story. However, The Historian proved to be nothing more than an over-zealous researcher's attempt to create a story from a subject that she is obviously passionate about. The voluminous research is a real turn-off. I don't want to read a vampire story and have to sit through a hundred "mountainous countryside" descriptions. There are mountains. The Carpathians. I get it. Get on with the story. Unfortunately, she never does. It seems as if the author got so caught up in her research that she forgot the most important thing - to tell a good story. The pacing is slow, the characters are not as developed as they could be, and the overall plot is lost in a sea of historical details. I really wanted to like this book, but in the end, it just didn't deliver.

Actual Rating: 2.75/5

I randomly stumbled upon this book while perusing a list of horror books to read in October. Fortunately, Scribd had it available in audio format, so I decided to give it a try.

The book is extremely long and slow-paced, but surprisingly, I didn't find it bothersome. What made it interesting was the fact that the audiobook had a full cast. I believe this added a great deal of intrigue to the story. Since the book is told in letters, without the full cast, it might have been quite challenging to distinguish who was speaking.

In general, I think physically reading this book could potentially be a painful experience due to its slow pace. However, for me, it was just an okay read. I would recommend this book to someone who has a genuine interest and enjoyment in the mythology of Dracula.

Overall, while it may not be a thrilling or captivating read for everyone, it does have its merits for those who are fans of the Dracula mythology and are willing to endure the slow pace.

Elizabeth Kostova's THE HISTORIAN has many positive aspects. It's a moving, suspenseful, and creepy novel that is also deeply atmospheric and informative about a specific area of the world and a particular point in time. The basic plot, as summarized in Amazon's editorial reviews, is engaging. It begins in Amsterdam in 1972 when a teenage girl discovers a medieval book and letters in her diplomat father's library. The story involves her father's search for his graduate school mentor, who believed Dracula was still alive. Kostova's writing skills are superb, creating suspense and a sense of horror from the first page. However, as the novel progresses, the initial excitement wanes. The conclusion leaves the reader with the feeling that Bram Stoker did it better in his classic DRACULA. Kostova is a great writer, but THE HISTORIAN is an average and derivative novel that simply recasts the hunt for Dracula in a modern context. If you haven't read DRACULA, THE HISTORIAN may be thrilling. But if you're seeking new insights or a different take on the Dracula legend, you're likely to be disappointed.

... sorta depends on what you read first!

I really liked it.

I thought that reading the letters was a truly interesting way to tell the story.

Typically, I prefer a lot more action in the books that I read. However, for some reason, I didn't mind the lack of action in this particular one.

The story unfolded slowly, but it still managed to maintain my interest throughout.

It was as if the author had a unique way of captivating the reader's attention, even without a lot of fast-paced action scenes.

I found myself getting drawn into the characters' lives and emotions through their letters.

Each letter added a new layer to the story and made me want to keep reading to find out what would happen next.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, despite it not being in the style that I usually prefer.

So first, a disclosure:

I actually received a free used copy of Elizabeth Kostova's 2005 modern vampire tale The Historian unexpectedly in the mail one day. It was from author Akmal Shebl, who sent it along with his own book Prisoners in Paradise for review. I don't think it was a bribe; rather, it was an example of what his own book is similar to. (My review of Shebl's book will be coming in a few weeks, by the way.)

And I didn't mind receiving the book at all, to tell you the truth. The Historian is a good book for me to review here at CCLaP. It's a runaway bestseller and soon-to-be major motion picture. This was not only Kostova's very first novel but also one that garnered her a $2 million advance, an almost unheard-of amount even for established veteran authors.

Now that I've read it myself, I can safely call it a faithful reproduction of a typical Victorian novel (also known as a "Romantic" novel), albeit one with a real "DaVinci Code" flavor to it. I can see why the "American Idol" crowd has been going so nuts about it. In fact, because of the "CCLaP 100" series of "classics" essays I've been doing here this year, I've ended up reading quite a bit of Victorian literature. So I can tell you exactly what it is about Kostova's novel that reminds me so much of the style.

--It has extremely overwritten, flowery prose. Sometimes entire chapters are used only as elaborate introductions to the next chapters. (Hint: If you're reading this yourself for the first time, and ever come across the phrase "And then they stepped off the train at [fill in the blank]," you can safely skip the entire manuscript until the phrase "And then he said, 'Shall I continue my story?'")

--The story has a sweeping global scope, but the descriptions of cities are no more insightful than simply describing a photograph of the place.

--A cheap moment of inconsequential dread is added to the end of each chapter, mostly as a reminder to unsophisticated readers that the chapter is ending. ("And then she noticed a man menacingly staring at her on the train platform. Or was he? Maybe he was! Or perhaps he wasn't! And then f-ck it, she went to the hotel, end of chapter 13.")

--It has a superstitious, occult-based storyline that at all times pushes the limits of common sense. In this case, it's a literal retelling of Bram Stoker's 1897 Dracula, only more historical in nature, more expansive in setting, and with a fair dose of Indiana-Jones-style adventure thrown in.

--The personal style is known as "epistolary," in which the story is told not through an omniscient narrator and traditional dialogue, but instead through a series of written documents such as letters, newspaper clippings, diary entries, and more.

--Finally, there's a strong whiff of cheese to the entire thing. It's the exact kind of dumbed-down so-called "historical thriller" that all the Bubbas of the world mistake for a true story and great literature. The kind of book that makes many intellectuals sadly shake their heads and say, "Well, there goes a little more American culture and sophistication, right down the f-cking drain."

Now, all that said, this does not make Victorian-style literature like The Historian necessarily bad. It just means that you need to have a certain attitude going into it, a certain natural love for the elements mentioned above and a certain tolerance for extremely purple prose. The Historian is not exactly a bad read, although truthfully I can't exactly call it a good novel either. It is in fact a curious modern document from an older age, a novel that feels like it was written 150 years ago even though it was actually less than five. I myself found it difficult to even finish, simply because I grow tired of overwritten prose and gaping plot-holes very easily. But there are millions of others who are passionate fans, and they can't be entirely discounted in my review just because I in particular didn't care for it. It gets a limited recommendation from me today. Although to be truthful, I'm now looking forward to reading through Shebl's novel as well, to see how it compares.

Out of 10: 6.8, or 8.3 for fans of Victorian/Romantic thrillers.

I reached page 150 and simply threw the book away.

When you find yourself preferring to watch WWE with the kids rather than turning the next page of a book, you know it's time to give up.

Incidentally, when exactly did WWE turn into Duck Dynasty?

At first, I was really impressed by the descriptive elements. The author vividly brings the castles and fortresses of eastern Europe to life with her exquisitely detailed descriptions.

However, after a while, it becomes very repetitive. Once you've seen one castle, you've seen them all.

The story is told from two perspectives, that of our unnamed female narrator and her father.

The problem is that both voices are identical, which can be a bit confusing at times when trying to figure out who is speaking.

We also know that the father is called Paul, but not the name of his daughter, which has the effect of dehumanizing her. As a result, I found that I couldn't care less about her.

The story unfolds very slowly, and the author attempts to build a sense of suspense and impending horror.

But after a few more pages and yet another visit to a castle, I found that I had forgotten about the horror element and lost that sense of suspense.

I just wanted to shout at the author to get on with the story.

Maybe if it ends up on an A level syllabus, I'll try to read an abridged version, but only if I've forgotten just how incredibly dull, plodding, and tedious this read was.

This is an absolute delight! It's often a challenge to come across a book that fearlessly tells a thrilling story while also possessing the elegance and refinement of something more 'literary'. Kostova has accomplished just that with her contemporary vampire tale.

Her work is filled with clever nods to Bram Stoker's Dracula. It features a complex nested epistolary mode and is interwoven with references that any book lover would adore. There are vast libraries, sinister books, eerie librarians, mysterious woodcuts, and a lightly detailed history of Vlad Tepes, better known as Vlad the Impaler.

The travelogue aspect is captivating as we journey across Europe, through Istanbul and even behind the Iron Curtain in the section set in the 1950s. The ending is rather outrageous Vlad just wants a decent archivist to keep his unparalleled library catalogued! and there are a few plot holes why does the sinister Harvard librarian have to follow our heroes to find where his master lies? why all the mayhem in trying to stop them from reading Bram Stoker's Dracula, a book they could have just popped out to the local bookshop and bought?. However, I found this book to be a complete page-turner. It's the perfect choice when you're in need of a captivating and entertaining story to lose yourself in. I would most definitely read Kostova again.

People believe in Santa Claus, and I believe that Dracula is for real.

\\n  People believe in Santa Claus, I believe that Dracula is for real\\n

Anyone who knows me even remotely now is aware that I loathe reviewing books. This aversion dates back to my grad days and has left me scarred and scared. So, this isn't precisely a review but rather my typical urge to ramble.

You've been warned!

Nearly a decade ago, I read this book during a difficult time in my life. I was grappling with both academic and existential angst, with the looming threat of dissertation submission. Any book, movie, or song that could help me escape my reality was welcome. I don't remember exactly how I came across this book, but I vividly recall the profound impact it had on me. The life of a researcher is often solitary, and certain aspects of this book resonated deeply with me. And anyone who has spent at least an hour in the National Archives of India, thankfully I didn't have to spend much time there, just a week or so, will agree that the place can be scary and creepy at times. Then there was also the myth of a wheelchair-bound ghost on the seventh floor of our library. Fortunately, I never had to venture to that part of the building either.
When a story presents a budding history scholar who stumbles upon a mysterious book that leads him on a chase across Europe in search of a mythical/urban legend, it hits close to home and is simply too intriguing to ignore. I fell in love with the book, its descriptions, and the spine-tingling mystery.
Finally, years after reading it, I purchased the physical copy of the book.

Fast forward 9 years

Having read and adored this book before, while I remembered the basic story and events, I had fortunately forgotten the rest of the details. So, I rediscovered the magic of the story all over again.
However,
unfortunately, this time around, the book felt too prose-y to me. Although I still loved the tone of the storytelling, it failed to captivate me as much as it did before. I suppose I've changed or evolved as a reader. Or perhaps my mindset and the period of my life were different then (after all, I was trying to escape reality). So many things have changed since then, so why shouldn't my ability to be impressed by books change too?
First read: 5 stars
Second read: 3 stars

What a wonderfully well-researched book for fans of historical fiction!

Elizabeth Kostova truly knows the art of storytelling and has done a remarkable job in interweaving the search for Dracula (The Impaler) with Eastern European history.

The author takes you on a captivating journey through ancient castles, churches, and libraries, as you look through documents in search of clues to the whereabouts of the historical Dracula.

The book is entrancing, although it can be a bit slow at times, especially when progressing through over 22 CDs.

My main complaint is that I didn't care for the rather quickly wrapped-up ending. However, despite this, I still very much enjoyed the unique mix of historical fiction and light horror.

Overall, I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

It's a must-read for those who have a passion for history and a taste for the mysterious and macabre.

The detailed research and engaging narrative make it a truly immersive experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

“Not everyone who reaches back into history can survive it.” This profound statement sets the tone for a book that I hope to have more time to write about later. However, there is one aspect that I must mention right away. What you hear about this book is indeed true. The denouement is ridiculous, and I truly don't understand why it had to be this way. Given that Kostova's imagination is, at the very least, extraordinarily vivid, it seems odd that the conclusion is so lackluster. Dracula's motive is implausible and unconvincing, yet I sense that it holds a symbolic meaning within Kostova's conception of the novel. Therefore, even though from a plot perspective it is rather embarrassing, I can choose to overlook it. I am able to do this especially because the rest of the book, which amounts to more than 620 out of a total of 700 pages, is not only highly entertaining but also insanely instructive and insanely intriguing. I absolutely loved it. I will share more of the reasons for my enjoyment later.

Full RTC

  *****5 stars.*****

As I said before, when one falls in love with the pen of an author, there will hardly be little that can be liked.


  

   
      Review in my account bookstagram
   
  

  

In this case, Kostova attracted me with "Tierra de sombras" (REVIEW HERE). I was so charmed by the author that I started to investigate more of her books and discovered "The Historian". After reading it, I fell completely in love. I can't be impartial with a 700-page book that has kept me hooked for days and nights and I finished it in just 6 days. These things rarely happen to me with a long book.


The story is told in three eras and at the center is the location of Dracula's tomb, his life as a historical figure, and the myth built around him. Paul, a postgraduate student, begins his study of Vlad the Impaler, also known as Vlad Dracul, when he mysteriously receives a blank book with a woodcut in the center page with the symbol of the Order of the Dragon, created by Vlad's father. This book will have a relationship with Bartholomew Rossi (Paul's thesis director) and with Turgut Bora, a Turkish professor of English literature at the University of Istanbul and the secrets he discovered about it.

  

Years later, Paul's daughter discovers some letters by chance inside a book. She asks her father about them and he tells her about the disappearance of his thesis director, Professor Rossi, Paul's search visiting libraries in Istanbul, monasteries in Romania, and villages in Bulgaria trying to find the trace of his mentor.

  

The book had me hooked from the first chapter and as it progressed, the narration did not decline. Elizabeth Kostova was excellent at launching the historical figure of Vlad with fantasy so that everything fits perfectly. If I have to say something about this story, it's that I loved it. The recreation of the monuments and libraries through the narration was wonderful. I felt like I was living the book. What I loved the most was Istanbul. Reading the narration of that city was pure magic with Hagia Sophia as the central element of everything.


If there are negative things, although I consider there is only one and it was that ending, a bit rushed for me and open to many unknowns. However, it is one of my favorites of 2018 and I recommend it to everyone.

  Update 12/06/2018

Spectacular! I love this woman and it is one of my favorite reads of this year. Review soon