by Elizabeth Kostovarating 5/5
Let me just say - This book was spine-tingling! I loved it. What a great book to read in conjunction with Bram Stoker's Dracula. My mother read The Historian when it was first released and commented on the interesting historical aspects. I enjoyed the history, too, but I was not prepared for the suspense. It gave me the chills. No nightmares. Yet, anyway.
Kostova told an icredible story using narative and letters from several different characters with three distinct storylines being told simultaneously. Each story built on the other and each narration propelled the story forward.
The Historian is book #6 for the Fall RIP Challenge. I have really enjoyed reading eerie, scary, gothic books this last month. Although I look forward to reading a few cozy mysteries, I am a bit sad to leave this challenge behind. I look forward to next year and I'm sure I'll sneak in some other thrillers before then. Besides, I've put my name in for a book drawing, asking for Stardust by Neil Gaiman. AND I AM GOING TO WIN!
16 comments:
I haven't read this, but I'm glad you enjoyed it and good for you in reading 6 books for your RIP Challenge. :)
This one has been on my list since it came out. One of these days . . .
I'm thinking I need that rumored Big Fat Book challenge to get me going.
Joy, the RIP was fun, wasn't it?
SuziQ, who was going to do that Big Fat Book challenge? We need to encourage that.
I bought this the first day I saw it, and haven't read it yet!! LOL!! One day!
Booklogged, you are simply AMAZING - how long did it take you to finish the book? So glad you enjoyed the story, you really do make me want to read it -perhaps I'll try to get the audio, it will be easier for me that way. Congrats on completing the challenge, I've so enjoyed reading your observations on all the books you read!
Booklogged ~ I saw the conversation on Bookfool's Blog. :)
I didn't realize that this book was a "Big Ole Book". Double kudos to you!!
Hmmm, I heard a few mixed reviews on this book. Sounds like you really enjoyed it. Might be something I need to check out!
I'm glad you loved it too!
And I love the book cover.. I have it sitting out instead of just on a shelf.
I'm so glad you liked it and doesn't it make a great combo with Bram Stoker's Dracula!
You are so brave! I think I'd need to read this with one hand partially covering my eyes :)
Its good to be confident!!! I want to read The Historian and you did a great job of conveying your enthusiasm without spoiling any of it. I have one question: was the end worth all the time it took to get there? That is the only complaint I have heard about the book.
Glad you are enjoying the challenge. October is still young so I say keep reading R.I.P. books!!!
if you don't win, i'll send it to you. bafab, right?? let me know, i have a copy.
I am in the middle of reading The Historian right now and there have been a few times that I have been freaked out reading it late at night. But it's so good, I just can't help myself!
carl, I would say the end was worth it. I loved The Historian, which I picked up last autumn immediately after reading the original Dracula. It was great to compare the two, but it was also like a continuation in modern times but with the same eerie mood.
Booklogged, your capital sentence at the end makes me laugh; because you did! There's a self fulfilling prophecy for you if I ever saw one.
I agree with Bellezza, the end was worth it. The journey was the fun part of reading the historian.
Melissa, thank you for the offer, but I won! Can you believe it?
Jennyellen, I'll be over to read your review.
It's so fun hearing from all of you and getting your input.
I have to say that I found The Historian pretty tedious after a while. Half way through was riveted and, yes it gave me chills and was very creepy, but then we had endless repetition and it started getting bogged down. I gave it to my daughter to read and she had exactly the same experience. I think the premise of the book was excellent and if it had been cut by a third would have been so much better. Says she who has never written anything in her life mark you...it is on my RIP list too
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