A review by emmonsannae
The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova

challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

It took me some time to gather my thoughts about this book. It was excellent! E.K. is a master storyteller. This book starts as a modern mystery that reveals its roots in a communist forced-labor camp. Like her other books, this one switches seamlessly between generations as the past meets in the present. What was most striking about this novel was E.K.’s dedication to Bulgarian history—in particular, to the histories of the men who lost their lives or their minds in work camps. She’s gentle and respectful while simultaneously refusing to shy away from reality. It made the book difficult to read and impossible to put down. I’d recommend it highly (but mind the warnings—there is a lot of difficult and graphic content).
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