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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
The story bounces back and forth between the MC, an American woman recently arrived in Bulgaria, and memories surrounding the life of a dead man (who experienced trauma during the communist revolution). The modern-day parts were strung out, tedious, and naive, but the memories of Old Bulgaria were magical and beautiful. I thought it so strange how differently written the two story lines were—they could have been written by two different people. I struggled to finish the book, and I would have edited it to be at least 100 pages thinner.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I went back and forth between wanting to know what came next and wanting to just put the book down (again). I really did like the historical content and how it was pieced together over the course of the modern-day story. I had no idea about Bulgaria's history before reading this book and am surprised that there aren't more historical fiction pieces out there about it. Maybe there are and I just don't know. The backdrop for this story is in some ways like stories of persecution by Nazis or Stalinist powers in the Soviet Union after World War II. Excuse me, my ignorance is showing--let me just tuck that back in...
What made this book drag for me was the main character. Alexandra rubbed me the wrong way. She was constantly second-guessing her choices even after deciding to trust people, and then not, and then OK again. The whipsawing back and forth between states of high anxiety and absolute trust stretched my suspension of disbelief.
Even so, Kostova's overall story is quite good. Most of the characters are fine, and her signature combination of history and art (literature, painting, and music, in that order from my readings of her books) make the Shadow Land worth reading.
What made this book drag for me was the main character. Alexandra rubbed me the wrong way. She was constantly second-guessing her choices even after deciding to trust people, and then not, and then OK again. The whipsawing back and forth between states of high anxiety and absolute trust stretched my suspension of disbelief.
Even so, Kostova's overall story is quite good. Most of the characters are fine, and her signature combination of history and art (literature, painting, and music, in that order from my readings of her books) make the Shadow Land worth reading.
I had hopes for this one after reading The Historian, but was disappointed. One grip I had with The Historian was that it took the first part to set everything up. It is the same thing here, but worse. The intricate details of the architecture and art history was dense and was a chore to get through. The concept itself does not work very well with the way Kostova likes to tell her story (i.e., present time set up for part 1, jump to the past for part 2 for backstory, then jump back to the present for part 3 to wrap it up). It worked better with the Historian because it was a mystery. Here, I had no interest and didn't care about the dead guy and his life...he's dead. In the Historian, the historian disappeared... we didn't know if he was dead or not and that was the point of the story: to find him. Here, the point was to find and give back the urn with the dead guy's ashes. Ok... you found the family and delivered it back... now what? Who cares?
I absolutely loved this book. I loved the characters, I loved the story, I loved the scenery. It was well written and mysterious, creative and enthralling. This may very well be my new favorite book. It had enough suspense to keep the story going without going overboard, and the descriptions made me feel as if I could picture everything. The history was rich and deep and meaningful. 5/5. Read this book.
Very glad I simply relaxed into the book and read it patiently. Definitely worth the time to read and enjoy the style of writing, descriptive passages and history. Delighted I read this book!
The prose is lovely and I like the story in the present day but the past timeline just don't interest me at all and every time we cut to that I just want to fast forward.
It worked really well in the historian but the mystery there was more engaging.
It worked really well in the historian but the mystery there was more engaging.
In The Shadow Land, Elizabeth Kostova transports readers to the picturesque yet haunting world of Bulgaria, weaving a tale of grief, mystery, and resilience. Set against the backdrop of the country's tumultuous history and natural beauty, Kostova's novel is an unforgettable journey into the depths of the human soul.
Alexandra Boyd, a young American woman, arrives in Sofia, Bulgaria, on a journey of personal healing and self-discovery. When she accidentally comes into possession of an urn containing the ashes of an unknown man named Stoyan Lazarov, Alexandra becomes embroiled in a race against time to return the urn to its rightful family. Alongside an enigmatic taxi driver named Bobby, Alexandra embarks on a quest that delves into Bulgaria's tragic past, ultimately unearthing dark secrets and confronting painful memories.
Kostova masterfully entwines the narrative threads of Alexandra's present-day journey with the rich historical tapestry of Bulgaria's past. Through vivid descriptions of the landscape, from bustling cities to serene monasteries, she paints a mesmerizing portrait of a nation still grappling with the shadows of its tumultuous history. Kostova's evocative prose transports readers to Bulgaria, immersing them in the nation's beauty and sorrow, and ultimately urging them to confront the inescapable connections between past and present.
The Shadow Land is as much a novel about personal discovery as it is about a nation's troubled past. Alexandra's journey is emblematic of the quest for meaning and redemption that we all must undertake in the face of loss and trauma. Her resilience and determination in the face of overwhelming adversity are both inspiring and deeply human, making her a relatable and empathetic protagonist.
Kostova's exploration of the themes of grief, healing, and forgiveness is both profound and nuanced. Through Alexandra's interactions with the people she encounters on her journey, Kostova illuminates the diverse and interconnected ways in which individuals grapple with pain and loss. Her vivid characterizations of these individuals, each with their own stories and struggles, underscore the universality of grief and the power of empathy and compassion to bring about healing.
The novel's pacing is expertly managed, maintaining a sense of urgency and tension throughout Alexandra's search for Stoyan Lazarov's family. The twists and turns of the plot keep readers on the edge of their seats, while Kostova's richly detailed descriptions immerse them in the world she has created. This seamless blend of historical depth, emotional resonance, and gripping suspense make The Shadow Land a captivating and powerful read.
The Shadow Land is a triumph of storytelling, combining a gripping mystery with a deeply poignant exploration of grief, history, and the human capacity for resilience. Elizabeth Kostova's evocative prose, masterful character development, and expert pacing result in a novel that is both hauntingly beautiful and undeniably compelling. Readers seeking an immersive and thought-provoking journey will be captivated by the world Kostova has crafted, finding themselves inexorably drawn into the shadowy landscape of Bulgaria's past and the inner lives of its people.
Alexandra Boyd, a young American woman, arrives in Sofia, Bulgaria, on a journey of personal healing and self-discovery. When she accidentally comes into possession of an urn containing the ashes of an unknown man named Stoyan Lazarov, Alexandra becomes embroiled in a race against time to return the urn to its rightful family. Alongside an enigmatic taxi driver named Bobby, Alexandra embarks on a quest that delves into Bulgaria's tragic past, ultimately unearthing dark secrets and confronting painful memories.
Kostova masterfully entwines the narrative threads of Alexandra's present-day journey with the rich historical tapestry of Bulgaria's past. Through vivid descriptions of the landscape, from bustling cities to serene monasteries, she paints a mesmerizing portrait of a nation still grappling with the shadows of its tumultuous history. Kostova's evocative prose transports readers to Bulgaria, immersing them in the nation's beauty and sorrow, and ultimately urging them to confront the inescapable connections between past and present.
The Shadow Land is as much a novel about personal discovery as it is about a nation's troubled past. Alexandra's journey is emblematic of the quest for meaning and redemption that we all must undertake in the face of loss and trauma. Her resilience and determination in the face of overwhelming adversity are both inspiring and deeply human, making her a relatable and empathetic protagonist.
Kostova's exploration of the themes of grief, healing, and forgiveness is both profound and nuanced. Through Alexandra's interactions with the people she encounters on her journey, Kostova illuminates the diverse and interconnected ways in which individuals grapple with pain and loss. Her vivid characterizations of these individuals, each with their own stories and struggles, underscore the universality of grief and the power of empathy and compassion to bring about healing.
The novel's pacing is expertly managed, maintaining a sense of urgency and tension throughout Alexandra's search for Stoyan Lazarov's family. The twists and turns of the plot keep readers on the edge of their seats, while Kostova's richly detailed descriptions immerse them in the world she has created. This seamless blend of historical depth, emotional resonance, and gripping suspense make The Shadow Land a captivating and powerful read.
The Shadow Land is a triumph of storytelling, combining a gripping mystery with a deeply poignant exploration of grief, history, and the human capacity for resilience. Elizabeth Kostova's evocative prose, masterful character development, and expert pacing result in a novel that is both hauntingly beautiful and undeniably compelling. Readers seeking an immersive and thought-provoking journey will be captivated by the world Kostova has crafted, finding themselves inexorably drawn into the shadowy landscape of Bulgaria's past and the inner lives of its people.
My final impression of this book is certainly much better than it was at about the halfway point, when I wasn’t sure if I was interested in finishing. But when the book really gets into the historical aspects, it takes a turn for the better and becomes a much different story.
I think it’s biggest weakness was the storyline about Alexandra‘s brother, which was really apropos of nothing and seemed overblown for something that happened more than a decade before. I kept expecting the book to somehow come back to that event, maybe even resolve that particular mystery but, spoiler, it didn’t.
I think it’s biggest weakness was the storyline about Alexandra‘s brother, which was really apropos of nothing and seemed overblown for something that happened more than a decade before. I kept expecting the book to somehow come back to that event, maybe even resolve that particular mystery but, spoiler, it didn’t.
Loved it! Kostova has such an interesting way of writing and intertwining stories. A great way to tell the story she wanted to share.