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A review by angelicathebookworm
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Sometimes I pick my next read depending on what genre I’m drawn towards, and it’s not difficult to guess what my genre of choice was when The Historian caught my eye. Kostova’s debut novel is no doubt the book to read if you’re craving a research-heavy historical fiction—particularly if you’re passionate about 15th Century European history and Dracula lore.
The Historian is a lengthy, slow-burning type of novel. While that may not be to every reader’s taste, it’s also not a book that should be easily dismissed. The meticulous attention displayed in the historical and geographical details, coupled with the depiction of a Dracula unlike most others, makes for a fascinating read. Kostova’s thorough descriptions of the cities, in particular, are so immersive that they would ignite anyone’s wanderlust, and will make you forget about the characters’ peril.
While I found Kostova’s writing to be a joy to read, the lack of depth found in many of the characters made meant they had faded into the narrative. There were times where I couldn’t figure out who was speaking because the voices seemed so similar, especially noticeable when reading the different letters, which took me out of the story many times. The only character that was well developed, and partly why she was my favourite, is Helen, the mysterious woman Paul meets during his journey. While many of the other characters are less memorable, Helen is a witty, stubborn and self-reliant individual, even when facing death which made the novel much more compelling.
The biggest issue I had with this novel was the final resolution. Kostova’s detail throughout was my favourite part of the book, but the denouement happened so quickly that I had to re-read the short passage several times until it really sank in. After reading everything up to that point and appreciating the building of suspense and vivid detail, I felt slightly cheated. Even with the final revelation in the last few pages, for me it did not make up for the disappointment I felt when I read the novel’s pinnacle moment.
I believe that there are many different types of reader that would enjoy this novel. In terms of its classification as a thriller, readers who enjoy lower levels of suspense distributed throughout a narrative, rather than something more gruesome, would enjoy Kostova’s novel. If you prefer fast-paced, high action, extremely thrilling scenarios then this isn’t the novel to read. The ideal readers, though, are those that have such an appreciation for the study of history and everything that encompasses, and not just the period of time that Kostova explores. While I did enjoy many things about The Historian, it’s the lack of passion I have on the subject of History that makes me hesitate to read this lengthy novel again.
For more reviews like this one, go to https://angelicacastilloking.wordpress.com/
The Historian is a lengthy, slow-burning type of novel. While that may not be to every reader’s taste, it’s also not a book that should be easily dismissed. The meticulous attention displayed in the historical and geographical details, coupled with the depiction of a Dracula unlike most others, makes for a fascinating read. Kostova’s thorough descriptions of the cities, in particular, are so immersive that they would ignite anyone’s wanderlust, and will make you forget about the characters’ peril.
While I found Kostova’s writing to be a joy to read, the lack of depth found in many of the characters made meant they had faded into the narrative. There were times where I couldn’t figure out who was speaking because the voices seemed so similar, especially noticeable when reading the different letters, which took me out of the story many times. The only character that was well developed, and partly why she was my favourite, is Helen, the mysterious woman Paul meets during his journey. While many of the other characters are less memorable, Helen is a witty, stubborn and self-reliant individual, even when facing death which made the novel much more compelling.
The biggest issue I had with this novel was the final resolution. Kostova’s detail throughout was my favourite part of the book, but the denouement happened so quickly that I had to re-read the short passage several times until it really sank in. After reading everything up to that point and appreciating the building of suspense and vivid detail, I felt slightly cheated. Even with the final revelation in the last few pages, for me it did not make up for the disappointment I felt when I read the novel’s pinnacle moment.
I believe that there are many different types of reader that would enjoy this novel. In terms of its classification as a thriller, readers who enjoy lower levels of suspense distributed throughout a narrative, rather than something more gruesome, would enjoy Kostova’s novel. If you prefer fast-paced, high action, extremely thrilling scenarios then this isn’t the novel to read. The ideal readers, though, are those that have such an appreciation for the study of history and everything that encompasses, and not just the period of time that Kostova explores. While I did enjoy many things about The Historian, it’s the lack of passion I have on the subject of History that makes me hesitate to read this lengthy novel again.
For more reviews like this one, go to https://angelicacastilloking.wordpress.com/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, and Gore