My friend Bill over at Tulsa Gentleman suggested this book, “The Historian” by Elizabeth Kostova. I saw it at a used book store and snatched it up, cheap. And what a find it was. I love this book. It is a multi-generational story set in eastern Europe. It’s got old old libraries and monasteries and crypts and all sorts of stuff. But mainly this book is about the hunt for a vampire. Not just any vampire but the granddaddy of all vampires.
Vlad the Impaler, a very mean dude, an actual historical character who killed tens of thousands of people. His favorite method, impaling a person on a pole and planting the pole in the ground. The Christian Church loved him though because he was good at fighting off the Muslims who were encroaching in Europe.
Anyway he turned himself into a vampire. An old school vampire right out of Bram Stoker‘s novel. Chasing him are a band of intrepid, shabby, scholars of medieval history who are trying to trace his whereabouts in the 20th century by searching for and examining documents and books more than a thousand years old. During their search they find romance and intrigue in the countryside.
I give the book four stars out of five. It is a great read. I took it on vacation and read it on the beach. Elizabeth Kostova is quite a story teller. I’ll be reading more of her.
I feel like I have seen this picture of Vlad before. Sounds like a page-turner and a book hard to put down.
I just love the fact that you keep me in terrific reading material! And another one goes on the list! Have a great weekend and be glad you’re not on the east coast!!!
Sylvia
Will have to get myself a copy of this, love a good scary vampire story.
Thanks Yogi
I’m definitely putting this one on my reading list!
I figured you would like that book. The story line is about vampires but the best part of the book for me was the travelogue through Eastern Europe. After reading that book I could swear I have been to Budapest.
Elizabeth Kostova’s second book, “The Swan Thieves” is not the best seller that her first book was. But then not every book will sell 1.5 million copies and get published in 44 different languages. I figure it it is half as good a read as The Historian it is still a good read. Read it and tell us what you think.
I read this book a few years ago. I remember REALLY disliking it. I can’t remember the specifics on why now but I do remember not liking it at all.
You’ve jogged my memory Bill, I knew I knew the name Elizabeth Kostova and then you mentioned “The Swan Thieves” – I’ve read it. I shall certainly Kindle this vampiric one.
May I recommend “Sarum” by Edward Rutherfurd – the building of Salisbury Cathedral from the very first stone up to modern times but dealing with the same families. Along the same line’s also written “London”, “Dublin” and “Moscow”, although I haven’t read Moscow and Dublin is on my bedside table waiting until I can get my nose into a v. thick book.
It’s so good to be back amongst my blogging friends:-)
@Bill – I’ll probably be reading The Swan Thieves.
@Dana – I don’t read reviews until I’ve done my book posts (I don’t really review books in my opinion) and there were lots of people who didn’t care for the book.
@Leeds Lass – I read Sarum and London years ago. I haven’t read Dublin and Moscow yet. I should. I love Rutherfurd’s books.