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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
I have never actually read an Elizabeth Kostova book before, so this was a first for me. I am sad to say that I did not enjoy "The Shadow Land."
Alexandra Boyd is a young woman who visits Bulgaria in the year 2008. Still haunted by the thoughts of her brother, she reminisces about him and their childhood and adolescence continually. On her first day in Bulgaria, something strange happens to her. While at a hotel, she spots a handsome and charismatic tall young man who is accompanied by an elderly couple. When the elderly woman takes a stumble while climbing into a taxi, Alexandra reaches out to assist the woman. Eventually, the trio drive off and mistakenly leave behind a bag. In that moment, Alexandra, becomes involved in a mystery surrounding an urn full of ashes and she teams up with a taxi driver to find the trio.
"The Shadow Land" is more of a travelogue with descriptions of Bulgaria than anything else. While it had such beautiful, rhapsodic prose, it had very little of real substance to really entice me as the reader. Moreover, it entirely lacked a much-needed plot and the pacing was otherwise painfully slow. If it had a faster pace and more of a climax, I would have given this book a higher rating but it was sadly underwhelming.
All throughout the story, I failed to develop an emotional connection with any of the characters who I found to be one-dimensional. The general tone and atmosphere is thoughtful with a hint of mystery. In conclusion I would like to say that I really wanted to like this book. It was the book cover and the description that really captured my attention initially.
**3 Stars**
I graciously received a copy of "The Shadow Land: A Novel" by Elizabeth Kostova" from Ballantine Books in exchange for an honest review.
Alexandra Boyd is a young woman who visits Bulgaria in the year 2008. Still haunted by the thoughts of her brother, she reminisces about him and their childhood and adolescence continually. On her first day in Bulgaria, something strange happens to her. While at a hotel, she spots a handsome and charismatic tall young man who is accompanied by an elderly couple. When the elderly woman takes a stumble while climbing into a taxi, Alexandra reaches out to assist the woman. Eventually, the trio drive off and mistakenly leave behind a bag. In that moment, Alexandra, becomes involved in a mystery surrounding an urn full of ashes and she teams up with a taxi driver to find the trio.
"The Shadow Land" is more of a travelogue with descriptions of Bulgaria than anything else. While it had such beautiful, rhapsodic prose, it had very little of real substance to really entice me as the reader. Moreover, it entirely lacked a much-needed plot and the pacing was otherwise painfully slow. If it had a faster pace and more of a climax, I would have given this book a higher rating but it was sadly underwhelming.
All throughout the story, I failed to develop an emotional connection with any of the characters who I found to be one-dimensional. The general tone and atmosphere is thoughtful with a hint of mystery. In conclusion I would like to say that I really wanted to like this book. It was the book cover and the description that really captured my attention initially.
**3 Stars**
I graciously received a copy of "The Shadow Land: A Novel" by Elizabeth Kostova" from Ballantine Books in exchange for an honest review.
I just plain didn't like this book. None of the characters felt real and the story it's self just didn't follow a logical flow to me.
Fantastic. Maybe not quite as good as The Historian, but a fascinating exploration of Bulgaria - it's past, present and future. Also a wonderful adventure/travel story and a harrowing description of the Bulgarian labor camps of the communist regime. A book profoundly exploring the nature of guilt - survivor's guilt, the guilt of innocent people who believe themselves guilty of something, and the truly guilty. Highly recommended.
‘In this brilliant work, what appears at first a minor mystery quickly becomes emblematic of a whole country’s hidden history. Lyrical and compelling, The Shadow Land proves a profound meditation on how evil is inflicted, endured and, through courage and compassion, defeated. Elizabeth Kostova’s third novel clearly establishes her as one of America’s finest writers.’
Ron Rash
‘Transporting…draws us into Bulgarian history and character revelation like an elegant, mysterious labyrinth. Page-turning, evocative and richly imagined.’
Dominic Smith
‘Recommend[ed]…to readers seeking outstanding and suspenseful historical fiction.’
Booklist
‘Her encounters peel back Bulgaria’s troubled recent history and comprise the biography of a nation as much of as a family…beautifully written, gently gripping novel.’
Daily Mail
‘Elizabeth Kostova’s novel brings the modern history of Bulgaria into focus. The novel is the product of experience as well as imagination…It threads tantalising strands of romance, as well as more opaque examples of heroism.’
Otago Daily Times
‘Fans will keep coming back for her authentic detail, her scope, and her sense of suspense.’
Guardian
‘The aftermath of loss, the haunting beauty of Bulgaria and an unsettling mystery surrounding an urn of human ashes all come together in Elizabeth Kostova’s elegantly written novel…Written with great zest and beautifully descriptive detail, making the soul of this novel, The Shadow Land is a fascinating, moreish read, demonstrating the power of a great story.’
Readers Digest
‘In The Shadow Land, Elizabeth Kostova, a master storyteller, brings vividly to life an unfamiliar country—Bulgaria—and a painful history that feels particularly relevant now. You won’t want to put down this remarkable book.’
Claire Messud, author of The Woman Upstairs
‘The Shadow Land is thrilling, and not just as a gripping tale. It’s also thrilling to watch such a talented writer cast her spell. The central character actually begins this deft novel in an urn, only to emerge as one of the most memorable characters I’ve encountered in a long time.’
Richard Russo, author of Everybody’s Fool
‘A compelling and complex mystery, strong storytelling and lyrical writing combine for an engrossing read.’
Publishers Weekly
‘A capacious, Victorian-esque novel with more than a whisper of romance, it deftly conveys the beauty and mystery of this ancient land, all the while ensnaring you in a web of intrigue which encompasses the darkest horrors of Bulgaria’s hidden history.’
West Australian
‘A capacious, Victorian-esque novel with more than a whisper of romance, it deftly conveys the beauty and mystery of this ancient land, all the while ensnaring you in a web of intrigue which encompasses the darkest horrors of Bulgaria’s hidden history.’
West Australian
‘Heart-breaking, evocative, and suspenseful, The Shadow Land explores a little-known and tragic part of European history in beautiful, restrained writing that brought me to tears several times.’
Kate Forsyth
Ron Rash
‘Transporting…draws us into Bulgarian history and character revelation like an elegant, mysterious labyrinth. Page-turning, evocative and richly imagined.’
Dominic Smith
‘Recommend[ed]…to readers seeking outstanding and suspenseful historical fiction.’
Booklist
‘Her encounters peel back Bulgaria’s troubled recent history and comprise the biography of a nation as much of as a family…beautifully written, gently gripping novel.’
Daily Mail
‘Elizabeth Kostova’s novel brings the modern history of Bulgaria into focus. The novel is the product of experience as well as imagination…It threads tantalising strands of romance, as well as more opaque examples of heroism.’
Otago Daily Times
‘Fans will keep coming back for her authentic detail, her scope, and her sense of suspense.’
Guardian
‘The aftermath of loss, the haunting beauty of Bulgaria and an unsettling mystery surrounding an urn of human ashes all come together in Elizabeth Kostova’s elegantly written novel…Written with great zest and beautifully descriptive detail, making the soul of this novel, The Shadow Land is a fascinating, moreish read, demonstrating the power of a great story.’
Readers Digest
‘In The Shadow Land, Elizabeth Kostova, a master storyteller, brings vividly to life an unfamiliar country—Bulgaria—and a painful history that feels particularly relevant now. You won’t want to put down this remarkable book.’
Claire Messud, author of The Woman Upstairs
‘The Shadow Land is thrilling, and not just as a gripping tale. It’s also thrilling to watch such a talented writer cast her spell. The central character actually begins this deft novel in an urn, only to emerge as one of the most memorable characters I’ve encountered in a long time.’
Richard Russo, author of Everybody’s Fool
‘A compelling and complex mystery, strong storytelling and lyrical writing combine for an engrossing read.’
Publishers Weekly
‘A capacious, Victorian-esque novel with more than a whisper of romance, it deftly conveys the beauty and mystery of this ancient land, all the while ensnaring you in a web of intrigue which encompasses the darkest horrors of Bulgaria’s hidden history.’
West Australian
‘A capacious, Victorian-esque novel with more than a whisper of romance, it deftly conveys the beauty and mystery of this ancient land, all the while ensnaring you in a web of intrigue which encompasses the darkest horrors of Bulgaria’s hidden history.’
West Australian
‘Heart-breaking, evocative, and suspenseful, The Shadow Land explores a little-known and tragic part of European history in beautiful, restrained writing that brought me to tears several times.’
Kate Forsyth
Parts of this story are far-fetched; my GR friend, Carole, described it perfectly as a"wild goose chase". In spite of that, I was entertained by the story and enjoyed learning about the land and history of Bulgaria.
I enjoyed the novel, but the side story about Alexandra's brother is totally unnecessary.
I abandoned this book about 30% in, completing Part 1. Alexandra gets dropped off at a hotel instead of the hostel where she had reservations. While at the cab stand, there is tangle of luggage with another family. After she gets into her cab, she notices she has a piece of their luggage, and inside it is a box containing cremains. Her cab driver takes her 1st to the police station, then back to the hotel, all in an attempt to locate the family and return the box of ashes to them. Because of the language barrier, Alexandra's cab driver goes into the hotel and inquires about the family. He is told that they didn't stay there but met with a journalist who is "well known at the hotel."
We are told that Alexandra, from the US, attended college and got a degree, and is in Bulgaria to teach English. Her cab driver, Bobby, reveals himself to have some skills that don't have much to do with driving a cab. So, if they're both so smart, why didn't they ask the hotel for the name of the journalist so he could put them in contact with the family? I couldn't put that out of my mind as Bobby drove Alexandra back and forth from Sofia to towns 2+ hours away in search of the owner of the box of ashes.
I realize the author had a story she wanted to tell, but I wish she hadn't dumbed down her characters to do it.
We are told that Alexandra, from the US, attended college and got a degree, and is in Bulgaria to teach English. Her cab driver, Bobby, reveals himself to have some skills that don't have much to do with driving a cab. So, if they're both so smart, why didn't they ask the hotel for the name of the journalist so he could put them in contact with the family? I couldn't put that out of my mind as Bobby drove Alexandra back and forth from Sofia to towns 2+ hours away in search of the owner of the box of ashes.
I realize the author had a story she wanted to tell, but I wish she hadn't dumbed down her characters to do it.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character