Questions About The Shadow Land

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Shadow Land, please sign up.

Answered Questions (12)

Hi. So the Historian was a 5 for me and The Swan Thieves a 1. Where does this lie? How good is this as compared to The Historian? It is one of my favorite books and God I cannot be let down by Kostova again!!!!

Sloane For me, The Shadow Land (3 stars) is a slight improvement from The Swan Thieves (does it even deserve a star?), but does not come close to The Histori…moreFor me, The Shadow Land (3 stars) is a slight improvement from The Swan Thieves (does it even deserve a star?), but does not come close to The Historian (5 stars).

I found her writing in Swan Thieves and Shadow Land to be painfully contrived and overwrought. In the latter, however, Kostova has chosen a severely underrepresented topic in literature and, crucially, a forgotten topic in history - communist and post-communist Bulgaria. Because of this, I think Shadow Land carries its own worth and importance, however much I felt like impaling myself with a spoon at some of her metaphors.(less)

flag

Does the dog die? Love her 2 previous books and want to read this--but I will not if that dog dies--just can't do it.

Jo Burl

This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)

flag

I loved the story as it meandered from past to the present. There was one unresolved issue for me and would like some input from others. Spoiler alert: did I miss a reason why Stoyan was arrested after viewing the dead bodies of the violinist who had killed himself and his family? Or was it just a random arrest by the Communists? Next - is not the age difference between Alexandra and Neven 20 plus years?

Suzi I didn't like Neven and Alexandra as a couple, so the ending was a bit false for me. And the point of his arrest was that they could arrest anyone for…moreI didn't like Neven and Alexandra as a couple, so the ending was a bit false for me. And the point of his arrest was that they could arrest anyone for anything. In his case, it was because of what he saw. (less)

flag

Does anyone have any The Shadow Land book club questions?

Sara
1) Why was Stoyan arrested after viewing the dead bodies of the violinist who had killed himself and his family? Or was it just a random arrest by the…more
1) Why was Stoyan arrested after viewing the dead bodies of the violinist who had killed himself and his family? Or was it just a random arrest by the Communists?
2) Isn’t the age difference between Alexandra and Neven 20 plus years?
3) Why is Alexandra here? What purpose does she serve?
4) Do we ever find out what happened to her brother Jack? Is his body ever found?
5) Who was Neven's biological father?
6) The account of the Soviet work camps seems personal. Did Elizabeth Kostova know people who had experienced them?
7) What was the crime that Stoyan felt he actually committed?
8) Who is the wizard?
9) Is it the true essence of kindness in the likes of Alexandra or is it something far darker and more menacing below the depths of blackened hearts?
10) Would you travel around the country trying to return said ashes?
11) Would you get into a cab, the driver a young man you do not know, and travel back and forth across the country, now mind you no one knows where you are, trying to find these people?
12) Why would a cab driver collaborate in this search for days and days without getting any pay?
13) Who among us knows much about Bulgaria?
14) Why aren't there more books about this part of the world?
15) Do you recommend this one?
16) Why should I care about these people?
17) Was the story told in a way that someone who was there might have witnessed it?
18) Have you ever been to Bulgaria?
19) What made this book worth reading?
20) Isn't it better to accept the past, learn from it and go on instead of dwelling on it?
21) Why do we harm others so much?
(less)

flag

How old is Neven? The story begins in 2008 in Sofia. I figure he must be more or less fifty eight and Alexandra is what, twenty four?

Mary Alexandra is 26. Neven was 6 months old when Stoyan returned from the prison camp. I believe he returned in 1953 or 54. The book starts in 2008 so Nev…moreAlexandra is 26. Neven was 6 months old when Stoyan returned from the prison camp. I believe he returned in 1953 or 54. The book starts in 2008 so Neven would be 54 or 55. It was too big of an age gap for me to buy into the romance aspect. (less)

flag

Load 5 more questions