This is one of the few books that I will re-read. Loved it, loved it.

The Historian is one of those long, leisurely reads perfect for summer vacations or winter hibernations. For many people it would seem boring to pour over dusty volumes in libraries and ancient letters searching for clues, but I found this novel fascinating for those very aspects. Who hasn't hoped to find themselves on the trail of a centuries old mystery, in this case, Vlad Tepes, better known as Dracula in legend? We are given the story in layers and from many viewpoints. A family history is illuminated and not since Margaret George's fictionalized account of Henry VIII do we see such a thorough history lesson of a time period. If you like quick, snappy action and dialogue, this book is not for you. But if you love a bit of investigation along with your literary sensibilities, I highly recommend this book. Savor it as you would a fine wine. ( )

Although it was a bit slow to start out, and at times I almost (though not quite) got lost in the flow of the story, The Historian is a truly thrilling ride, and one I would highly suggest to anyone looking for something new to read!

Despite the fact that this book is about vampires, I can honestly say it's not like any of the other books out there on this subject. Different, unique, and one-of-a-kind are great words to describe this novel. You'll find no romanticized vampires in this novel!

I enjoyed how Elizabeth Kostova managed to tell this captivating story, weaving together not only the story from Paul and Helen's point of view (through letters and some of it though story telling on Paul's part), but also from the point of view of Paul's daughter. While switching from the two POV's may, at first, seem a bit confusing, Kostova did a magnificent job at it, and I can honestly say that there was only one or two spots where I was momentarily confused.

Since the novel was told in such a unique way, and done well, I really felt the connection to not only the story but the characters as well. They were not just words on a page, but honestly seemed like they were real. This was partly due to the lush details provided and partly due to the talent of the author. Not every author can pull this off, but fortunately Kostova did because, to be quiet honest, if she had not managed this, this story would have been drastically different, and a great deal harder to get through without losing interest.

4 STARS! A seamless twist of history and myth, The Historian is a great read for anyone that enjoys a good mystery. Mystery, suspense, a bit of historical accuracy, and even a dash of romance--- really, who wouldn't be interested in reading it? And don't let the vampire plot turn you away, I promise, it's nothing like any vampire story you've read before! ( )

The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova, was a superb novel, one I didn't want to end. I was hooked after reading the first few pages, stealing time here and there, reading far into the night, following the search for Dracula in the real world. Kostova's plot lines, although deep and complicated, were easy to follow, for her story took me on adventures throughout the world with careful planning and spine-tingling storytelling. The characters sprang to life and never left me disappointed. The Historian is one of the best novels I've read in many years. ( )

The Historian is the story of a hunt for Dracula...the original...Drakulya...Vlad III Tepes. Several generations of scholars, mostly historians, are discovering strange and ancient books. These books spark their curiosity and the search is on....for the true resting place of Vlad Tepes. The majority of the story is told through stories and notes from Paul to his daughter Eva, with small parts actually told through Eva's eyes.

The story is captivating. Kostova has done her research and her description of events, places, and historical documents is fascinating. You can see her love of history and places in every page. The majority of the story moved quickly and I didn't want to put it down. There was a section near the end that started to drag a little for me as the search seemed to go on endlessly...but I'm sure that was the point, to show how long and tiring the characters worked in all their efforts.

The characters were beautifully written and I became attached, especially to the character of Helen, Eva's mother. She is a strong female personality that was more than a match for the men she encountered in her travels.

Overall this was a great book. I would have liked to see the action progess slightly faster, which lowered my rating slightly.

3.5/5 ( )

I have read The Historian twice now. The first time, I was fascinated and could not put it down. The second time I read it after reading several reviews and read with a more critical eye. A young girl chronicles her adventures with her father and learns the fate of her mother through the existence of an actual character, Dracula. When reading the book, I was drawn into the mystery of the plot as well as the beautiful descriptions of places visited. I could probably read the book a third time and still find an interesting tidbit I might have missed. I would recommend this book. It is not your run-of-the-mill Dracula story, it has mystery, love and depth. ( )

I love this book so much, I don't want to finish it. I begin reading other books, so that this one never has to come to an end. ( )

I really could not put this down. How refreshing, after all that Twilight crap, to read a vampire novel where the vampire is actually a bad guy! ( )

Story about Vlad Dracula, the history wrapped in a fictional account of one family's experience. Boring and ending was disappointing ( )

A quest for the dark secret behind a mysterious symbol found on a page of an ancient book. This is the literary person's Dan Brown. More Umberto Eco than Brown, actually. The plot is interesting and twisty and very fast moving. I couldn't stop reading this book until I was done. There is love, exotic secret societies, tales of Turkish conquests in later Middle Ages, and the big finale, which tops all. Not only this is a great book with a great plot, but it also has a very satisfying ending -- which is often not the case for many good books. I highly recommend to anyone who loves Umberto Eco and looks down on Dan Brown! ( )

I knew I was going to love this book within just a few paragraphs because it's so beautifully, gracefully written. I am smitten by tales of taking trains through old European cities, searching through libraries...

Only half way through so far... and can hardly wait to get back to it!

I really like this vampire book because the vampire is Dracula and the bad guy. ( )

I seem to have a thing lately for really long books. Although, at 642 pages in hardcover, this one wasn't all that long. But it was really good! Its narrator is a young woman who gets involved in a hunt for Vlad Tepes—Dracula. It begins when the narrator (who's never named, as far as I can recall), who's sixteen at the time the story begins, finds a strange book with a woodcut of a dragon in the middle of its otherwise blank pages in her father's library in their home in Amsterdam. Reluctantly, her father begins to tell her the story behind the book, which came to him when he was a graduate student in America.

Told mostly in the form of letters and journal entries, the narrative weaves between the young woman's story, her father's, and her father's university advisor's, as they all search for the secret of the book, which appears to lead to the location of Dracula's tomb. Ranging across some fifty years and half a dozen countries, it's rich in legend and historical detail.

My only problem with the book—and it's a small cavil—is that it's all written in the same style even though it has numerous different narrators, which sometimes makes it a little confusing to keep clear on whose story we're following at any given time. Otherwise, it's an engrossing new take on the Dracula legend. ( )

A very good, rich literary horror story. I loved the cultural ethos. Overall the novel is 100-150 pages too long and the sudden demise of Dracula in a brief, undramatic fashion far too matter of fact. But this is an excellent read. ( )

(unabridged audiobook read by Justine Eyre and Paul Michael): An interesting take on the Dracula legend told mostly in the form of letters from various people who hunted him. Though a bit slow and academic in some places, by and large it's a fascinating psuedo-history lesson. ( )

An odd and interesting tale of Dracula told from an historical point of view. The main character, Paul, finds himself on the trail of the infamous Dracula. He is accompanied by the mysterious Helen Rossi, who is searching for her father. The story flits back and forth between past and present, England and war-torn Europe. This is not your average vampire story - you will leave it feeling relieved that Vlad Tepes is long gone and that Dracula does not exist; a piece of you, though, will always wonder about those blurred lines between fiction and reality. ( )

This book is officially one of my favorites. Finally veering away from a complete make believe, romance vampire type book, this novel throws real history and real daily life into the mix making it an amazing believable story. I also loved how there was lots of traveling and amazing descriptions (although some were a little to long). My favorite described Venice perfectly `` You`ve got an eye for atmosphere, Venice is famous for her stage show, and she doesn't mind if she gets a little run down, as long as the world pours in here to worship her.Wait till evening and you wont be disappointed. a stage set needs a softer kind of light than this. You`ll be surprised by the transformation`` Now, the reason i only gave it four stars is because Kostova went a little overboard with describing everything, thus making it a little too long. But i have been recommending this book left right and center. ( )

I just can't pin down how I feel about this novel. At times the plot felt plodding - and I found the detail not enriching, but overwhelming, drowning out the actual plot progression.

It wasn't a bad book, but something about it just didn't work for me. Perhaps it stems from an overexposure to vampires in today's popular culture. Perhaps it just wasn't my style. All the same, I wouldn't recommend this to a friend. ( )

This book is too long with too much detail, found it difficult to finish. ( )

I loved this story. The writing was just so well done. The author truly made me feel and see this world that she was writing about. I have never wanted to visit Budapest, but I sure do now. The story was compelling and imaginative. It was a fresh take on the Dracula story. And while that story is front and center, the book is about so much more. If you're looking for a book to loose yourself in for a while, this is the book for you. ( )

Great for discussion in book groups for definition of good vs evil. ( )

I have been trying to finish this book since the end of July....it is an ok book, but I guess the subject just couldn't hold my interest. I found out some interesting pieces of information about Eastern Europe and vampires, but couldn't continue.

A professor has disappeared, and one of his assistants goes to Eastern Europe to look for him...it is a thriller, but it just couldn't thrill me enough to finish...I did get through 3/4 of it, but have definitely lost interest...vampires, Dracula, Vlad the Imapler.

I guess I read too many other books in between. It was excellent writing on the author's part, though. ( )

This book was too long,slow-paced and not worth the two months I kept trying to finish it! ( )

Think Davinci Code, with Dracula. Trawling through libraries looking for hints in manuscripts for the location of the tomb of Dracula. The thing I really admired about the book was the way the author described some of the places visited. She has a great touch with describing not just the landscape and the appearance of a place, but the sounds and feelings as well. It is also very well researched. The storyline plays out over a series of flashbacks and letters, and the non-linear timeline works really well here. It did feel a little long towards the end, and the climax at the end is a bit short in comparison with the buildup. Regardless, I look forward to reading more from this author. ( )

I was drawn to this book a number of times (really I was waiting for it to come out in either trade or paperback format) and was not disappointed at all when it finally came home with me. I definitely took my time with this novel as I found it rich and slow yet thoroughly enjoyable.

I believe it is her first novel and it was very well researched. It allows the reader to travel back and forth in time and place and although it got a little confusing at times, I found that if I slowed down my reading and took in every word, it was worth it.

I agree with some other reviews that the journey was greater than the arrival.

I do know that it is a novel that I will revisit one day and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys 'historical' and gothic fiction. ( )