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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
Elizabeth Kostova never disappoints, in this her third novel she again weaves history effortlessly into the narrative and breathes the atmosphere of Bulgaria into her words.
I can’t do this novel justice really: this is simply another amazing book from Elizabeth Kostova, a captivating story, compelling characters and such atmosphere.
The story begins with a young woman who has travelled to Bulgaria; (in true Elizabeth Kostova style) we are drawn into all the sights and sounds of the country- immersed in it as though we are actually there. Alexandra mistakenly picks up someone else’s suitcase, it isn’t until she’s far away from its owners that she realises it contains human ashes. The story is about her trying to find the people who they belong to. We journey with her around the country finding out more about the man who was Stoyan Lazarov and more about Alexandra herself. Sometimes I wonder whose story this is Alexandra’s or Stoyan's. Later in the novel we hear Stoyan’s story and that is the point where I was stunned into silence- no spoilers here.
This is proper story, not a fast paced thriller or who-dunnit but a story about people and a country and I have learnt so much about Bulgaria and it’s history from this story.
At some points throughout the story (although you are warned before you start reading) there are these little turns from Alexandra’s story, mesmerising roads which you will follow and be drawn into. And each one is telling you more about the characters and adds so much depth to the story. But despite these twists and turns this is one of those books which you will find hard to step away from until you’ve reached that final page.
I can’t do this novel justice really: this is simply another amazing book from Elizabeth Kostova, a captivating story, compelling characters and such atmosphere.
The story begins with a young woman who has travelled to Bulgaria; (in true Elizabeth Kostova style) we are drawn into all the sights and sounds of the country- immersed in it as though we are actually there. Alexandra mistakenly picks up someone else’s suitcase, it isn’t until she’s far away from its owners that she realises it contains human ashes. The story is about her trying to find the people who they belong to. We journey with her around the country finding out more about the man who was Stoyan Lazarov and more about Alexandra herself. Sometimes I wonder whose story this is Alexandra’s or Stoyan's. Later in the novel we hear Stoyan’s story and that is the point where I was stunned into silence- no spoilers here.
This is proper story, not a fast paced thriller or who-dunnit but a story about people and a country and I have learnt so much about Bulgaria and it’s history from this story.
At some points throughout the story (although you are warned before you start reading) there are these little turns from Alexandra’s story, mesmerising roads which you will follow and be drawn into. And each one is telling you more about the characters and adds so much depth to the story. But despite these twists and turns this is one of those books which you will find hard to step away from until you’ve reached that final page.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Slow to start, but, once it got going, holy cow! This is a very interesting look at a part of the world I don't know nearly enough about. I world definitely recommend this book.
I really liked some parts of this book but she would go off on the history of a certain character that were soooo extra. I wish she would have just stuck to the main storyline.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
I was absolutely mesmerized by Kostova’s first novel, The Historian, which also took place in Eastern Europe. This time the locale is Bulgaria, brought to somber life when a young woman, Alexandra, decides to go there to work as an English teacher. A chance encounter at a hotel leaves her with someone else’s bag. And in that bag? An urn of ashes. She enlists the help of a kindly taxi driver and goes to the police who point her….and so begin her travels through Bulgaria to find the family of Stoyan Lazarov and return his ashes.
The Shadow Land was like the longest car trip ever. The scenery may be beautiful but at some point you just want to arrive at your destination. Go too far and that arrival will feel anticlimactic. Kostova packs the novel with too much ballast about Bulgaria and not enough tension. The novel is bulky and so crammed with winding side roads that I felt carsick. Even Kostova's beautiful prose was not enough to keep me focused on the novel’s plot.
The Shadow Land was like the longest car trip ever. The scenery may be beautiful but at some point you just want to arrive at your destination. Go too far and that arrival will feel anticlimactic. Kostova packs the novel with too much ballast about Bulgaria and not enough tension. The novel is bulky and so crammed with winding side roads that I felt carsick. Even Kostova's beautiful prose was not enough to keep me focused on the novel’s plot.
This book was very hard to get into for the first several chapters. Everything is over explained. As I read it would continually go back and forth between being very good and hard to put down to how can I finish this.
Actual rating 2.5 stars.
Like many other reviewers, I went into this book wanting to love it like I loved The Historian. And, like many other reviewers, I’m stepping away disappointed.
The parts I enjoyed the most were the flashback scenes. To me, Stoyan was the best developed character and the most interesting. But the climax of the story? I’m still scratching my head over how short it was! I went back and re-read it twice – and was finally convinced that, yes, that was indeed it.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bobby, the taxi cab driver. Though I felt like his background as a And name me ONE taxi cab driver that would go to the extents that Bobby did? Yeah, that one is a little nit-picky as I can suspend many judgments and disbelief when reading a fictional world … this one still rankled me though.
Even after discussing this book with a colleague and fellow Elizabeth Kostova fan, I could not convince myself to rate this higher. I even sat on the review for several days trying to compose and decide exactly what didn’t meld for me and I cannot come up with the perfect review. Sadly, I’m not sure Kostova will be an automatic read for me anymore. Though it may be time for a re-read of The Historian.
Like many other reviewers, I went into this book wanting to love it like I loved The Historian. And, like many other reviewers, I’m stepping away disappointed.
The parts I enjoyed the most were the flashback scenes. To me, Stoyan was the best developed character and the most interesting. But the climax of the story? I’m still scratching my head over how short it was! I went back and re-read it twice – and was finally convinced that, yes, that was indeed it.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bobby, the taxi cab driver. Though I felt like his background as a
Spoiler
police officer fell fairly flat. What did it matter if he had a background in investigation or was just curious? Or if he had been a criminal? It didn’t matter. He could have been anyone or anything.Even after discussing this book with a colleague and fellow Elizabeth Kostova fan, I could not convince myself to rate this higher. I even sat on the review for several days trying to compose and decide exactly what didn’t meld for me and I cannot come up with the perfect review. Sadly, I’m not sure Kostova will be an automatic read for me anymore. Though it may be time for a re-read of The Historian.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes