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Jun. 22, 2006
BOOK REVIEW: The Historian
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The Historian
by Elizabeth Kostova
This is the second large novel I have attacked in as many weeks... and devoured in just two days.
This is the firts book by kostova, and it is quite a read! The
book is incredibly complicated, there are times when you are reading a
story, within a story, within the book itself.
So what is it about?
Vlad the impaler or as he was otherwise known: Dracula... which apparently means The Dragon or Son of the Dragon
depending on the context of the book. It is a well written trip
across cold war Europe, a broad sweep reaching from America, through
England and France and on into Turkey, Hungary and Bulgaria.
There
are two main characters, in two different times, telling their two
different stories, as they converge together. The only
disappointment I had, was that it was sometimes hard to differentiate
true history from fiction... but then again, isn't that the aim of
every author? :)
The book made me want to learn a lot more
about the Ottoman empire and it's domination of eastern Europe, and I
couldn't help but be amused by the similarities of what was happening
in the 15th century, to the Christian/Muslim debates of today.
It's an interesting angle anyway :)
I highly recommend those who do wish to read it, read Bram Stoker's Dracula first
or at least concurrently with it, as this actually features in the
story quite a bit. Although I have not read it, I have read
derivations which helped, but I cant help but think the novel itself
rates as a good background read!
I rate it **** 4 stars... not quite as memorable as Ireland, but every bit as well written!
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About Me
I'm a 29 year old mother of two, who loves to read, bake, knit and homeschool... You can also read my husband's 'rantings' at the link below ;)
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I am currently having problems blogging here. Please check
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Posted by 
Jun. 27, 2006 - Thanks!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0684856069/qid=1151438772/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-9323799-8905651?s=books&v=glance&n=283155
Sherry