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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
This is one of those books that's awkward to review. While I liked aspects of the book - the characters, the location, and the historical aspects, I struggled with the main premise that someone would go to such lengths to return something to someone they barely knew. And to travel all over the place to do it and to not take advantage of common communication practices. So if you can get past that, then you may enjoy the various characters and their journey.
Elizabeth Kostova is an exceptional storyteller. Her first novel The Historian is one of my favourite books, & whilst this was good, it doesn't quite reach the same level for me. This book narrates some of the atrocities of the forced labour camps that existed in the Soviet era of Bulgaria (side note: this has shown a gap in my historical knowledge that I wish to repair). But does so in such a way that you don't realise where the sorry is going until halfway through the book. The main character felt a bit wet for me, & the wild goose chase backwards & forwards, was on occasion, too much. What got my full attention again, was the depth to Stoyan, & the horrors he had witnessed/lived through. The ending felt abrupt, but also fit well with the story. The magic of Bulgaria is described so beautifully, that it has made me want to visit. If this were 2 seperate books, the backstory would get 5 stars. The contemporary story? Barely a 2.
I think the general story and writing were incredible but the pacing seemed kind of weird in some places and there is a „romance“ (it’s not a huge part of the story so I could kind of ignore it) were the dude is like 60 and the women ist 26 and how did you think that was a good idea…
Also there eis a storyline about the FMCs brother that just goes nowhere and I just don’t get what she was trying to accomplish
Also there eis a storyline about the FMCs brother that just goes nowhere and I just don’t get what she was trying to accomplish
I did like this book but I think there were some areas where it didn’t quite work for me. It gets 4 stars because Ms. Kostova’s writing is beautiful as always. And, it gets 4 stars because of the story of Stoyan and Bulgaria’s history. I would give it only 3 for construction. I am confused by the stunted character development of the two initial protagonists. And, the ending, which seemed a little long and still ambiguous. That said, I would still recommend it and I am glad to have read it.
Three stars and a waffle.
Enjoyed the prose, which was flowery without being on the wrong side of purple. Ending was a bit tidy for my tastes. Setting and story telling portions definitely worth the times.
Enjoyed the prose, which was flowery without being on the wrong side of purple. Ending was a bit tidy for my tastes. Setting and story telling portions definitely worth the times.
The book was a little slow moving. It wasn't one that I wanted to keep picking up to read but once I did pick it up I wouldn't want to put it down.
After having read The Historian and The Swan Thieves, I was very excited to read this book and sadly, disappointed. I found this book tedious and difficult to finish.
Didn't love this as much as I did The Historian. Well written book about the heartbreaking history of Bulgarian forced labor camps, told as Alexandra attempts to return a misplaced urn. Also touches on the power of music and imagination.