The Historian in Pick-a-Shelf

Aug 01, 2012 Lynai rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ebook

Because I had the ebook version, I did not have any hesitations in joining the book discussion when the book club had this as book of the month for November. I had no idea how long (or short) it was, and I could not relate to the complaints of some members saying that the book was a perfect doorstop. I think having the ebook version was to my advantage because I was able to trudge on even through some boring parts, which is not that many, and finish it just in time for the face to face discussio Because I had the ebook version, I did not have any hesitations in joining the book discussion when the book club had this as book of the month for November. I had no idea how long (or short) it was, and I could not relate to the complaints of some members saying that the book was a perfect doorstop. I think having the ebook version was to my advantage because I was able to trudge on even through some boring parts, which is not that many, and finish it just in time for the face to face discussion, though of course I wasn’t able to participate due to distance (and budget) constraints.

I must confess that I have never faithfully followed book discussions and monthly reads of the book club before this. However, since the moderator is a very good friend, and it just so happened that I have a copy on hand already, I was more than eager to participate. Plus, the title is very close to home because I majored in History when I was in college.

Anyway, The Historian is a very interesting story. In fact, I have included it as one of my best reads for 2012. I totally suck at writing summaries but I will try my best because the blurb on Goodreads is just ridiculously long.

The unnamed narrator recounts her bizarre experiences as a young girl which started when she discovered a mysterious book and several letters addressed to “My dear and unfortunate successor.” The letters bring her to a long and laborious search about the identity of her mother, the sudden disappearance of her father, and the discovery of an ancient evil history has ever known.

First off, I must confess that I am not in anyway fascinated with vampires and vampire lores. This explains my being a Twilight series non-fan, no matter how enticing the hype is. However, what enticed me to read this book is actually because I didn’t know that it is a vampire story, more specifically that it is about Dracula. When I finally realized that The Historian is a Dracula story, I was already deeply entertained by the travelogues (yes, travelogues play a major part in the story), with the legend of Vlad The Impaler (why did we not study this back in college?), and with the cliffhanger chapter endings, that I could not be made to ditch it altogether.

What also drew me into the story is the mention of archives, libraries, museums which the major characters went into for their research. For me, they are fascinating aspects of being into the study of history and the mere mention of old books and libraries make me long to actually see them and touch them and feel them. Sounds crazy, yes? ;) Aaand, of course, the Europe tour. I love Europe and more especially so because of this book! The Historian provides an enriching lesson of European history and geography, and I must say that the narrative portrays vivid and picturesque illustrations that I cannot help but check out the places mentioned on Google.

As to whether Dracula is real and whether he is alive even up to this day is a mystery I will leave to you to discover. Read The Historian if you love history, Europe, and a good mystery.

Also posted in It's A Wonderful Bookworld. ...more

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Apr 16, 2011 Bea rated it liked it

I was a bit disappointed in this book although overall liked the story. What diappointed me was that the story never grabbed me like I expected it would. It was entertaining but I was able to lay the book aside without having that drive to pick it up again. I think the only reason I finished it was that it was for a challenge with a time deadline. Otherwise, it might have ended up as "started but not finished" from sheer lack of the story grabbing me.

That said, it was a good mystery. Intellectua ...more

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Feb 26, 2009 Mykee Tan rated it it was amazing

When I first decided to read this book, I wasn't really expecting to like it very much. The sheer length of it sort of made me think twice about reading something that long about a topic which I knew nothing about. But once I started, I instantly got hooked. And this was constant throughout the book. For me, there was never a dull moment. I loved how Kostova described the scenery and how simple the characters were. Some people think that the characters are quite flat, but I think that there is a ...more

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Sep 21, 2009 Sam rated it really liked it

Shelves: proper-books, horror, fantasy, gothic

I'd picked this book up without really paying attention to what the story was about (kept seeing it in the Hay bookstores and finally gave in and bought a copy). It turned out to be a pleasantly different version of the Dracula story, written in a similar manner to classic Stoker novel, told through verbal and written accounts of the different people involved. Kostova has an obvious passion for the historical figure of Dracula, known as Vlad the Impaler, and this comes through throughout the boo ...more

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Jun 18, 2009 Britt Lovelady rated it it was ok

Shelves: fiction, action-adventure

I have to say that i was quite disappointed reading this book. I was expecting a fast-paced horror novel, but I got quite the opposite. It was told primarily through the eyes of the father as he hunts for his professor who has vanished because of Dracula. Accompanying him along the way in his search is the professor's daughter, Helen, who he eventually falls in love with. The book is slow and rather drawn out, and I found myself often getting bored and wanting to finish it just to get it over wi ...more

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Jul 18, 2010 Lindsay rated it liked it

Shelves: z2010, bookcrossing, fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 03, 2009 Melissa Stebbins rated it liked it

This is the first ever vampire book I've read. I've just never been that interested inthem so this is probably a good read for me. While Dracula and his friends do make appearances the focus of the book is an historical quest. As such I found it quite interesting. The narrator changes back and forth between characters and at times I found myself a couple of sentences into a paragraph before I realised the narrator had changed which was a little off putting. The start of the book quickly drew me ...more

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