The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova
909 Pgs. Little Brown and Company, 2005.
Vampire books are all the rage now, especially after the growing success of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight trilogy. Of course, the movie has contributed toward this growin interest in this genre, but the topic is certainly nothing new. Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a classic, as are the the numerous books from Anne Rice. Kostova’s latest contribution concerning literature focused on the undead is a decent work, more in line with the traditional perspective of vampires than Meyer’s books. The Historian is a multi generational journey of various families who have attempted to locate whatever information they can concerning the vrykolakas, specifically Dracula. It is a historical work, thus the title, in which character’s, who have received a mysterious tome with a dragon drawn in it, attempt to unlock the mystery that surrounds Dracula’s death, and the location of his tomb. I love the various trips into Communist Europe that our protagonists have to make, the encounters with unique and average characters, and the growing suspense which Kostova implements in The Historian. It is not a quick read, as is the Meyer’s books, but I think it has a lot to offer, especially in the writing itself. Kostova is an excellent wordsmith, and the specific approach of the text (that of a historian) is enjoyable for anyone interested in the various legends and myths surrounding this traditional antagonist. There are elements of love, fear, and familial relationships that seems more authentic than the Meyer’s works, but Kostova’s book seems to drag on at times. This is most noted during the middle, probably because The Historian is almost a thousand pages long. I almost felt that she could have cut a couple hundred pages out and the reader wouldn’t have missed too much. The end is worth the wait, and I think Kostova solidly wrapped up many unanswered questions for the reader. Good stuff overall. For those who prefer to see the vampire story done in a more traditional vein, rather than in the trendy veggie vampire scenario that seems so prevalent, this book is for you.
January 4th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
This is a must read for any history lover. Her writing is high quality and very thorough. I agree that it could have lost a few hundred pages and still be good, but the length doesn’t hurt it. The details keep you reading.