The Historian

By: Elizabeth Kostova

Narrated by: Justine Eyre, Paul Michael

Length: 26 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Late one night, exploring her father's library, a young woman finds an ancient book and a cache of yellowing letters. The letters are all addressed to "My dear and unfortunate successor", and they plunge her into a world she never dreamed of: a labyrinth where the secrets of her father's past and her mother's mysterious fate connect to an inconceivable evil hidden in the depths of history.

The letters provide links to one of the darkest powers that humanity has ever known, and to a centuries-long quest to find the source of that darkness and wipe it out. It is a quest for the truth about Vlad the Impaler, the medieval ruler whose barbarous reign formed the basis of the legend of Dracula. Generations of historians have risked their reputations, their sanity, and even their lives to learn the truth about Vlad the Impaler and Dracula. Now one young woman must decide whether to take up this quest herself, to follow her father in a hunt that nearly brought him to ruin years ago, when he was a vibrant young scholar and her mother was still alive.

What does the legend of Vlad the Impaler have to do with the modern world? Is it possible that the Dracula of myth truly existed, and that he has lived on, century after century, pursuing his own unknowable ends? The answers to these questions cross time and borders, as first the father and then the daughter search for clues, from dusty Ivy League libraries to Istanbul, Budapest, and the depths of Eastern Europe. In city after city, in monasteries and archives, in letters and in secret conversations, the horrible truth emerges about Vlad the Impaler's dark reign, and about a time-defying pact that may have kept his awful work alive down through the ages.

©2005 Elizabeth Kostova. All Rights Reserved. (P)2005 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

• 2006 Book Sense Book of the Year, Adult Fiction

"A bloodthirsty delight....Both literary and scary, this one is guaranteed to keep one reading into the wee hours." (Booklist)
"Along with all the fascinating historical information, there's also a mounting casualty count, and the big showdown amps up the drama by pulling at the heartstrings at the same time it revels in the gruesome. Exotic locales, tantalizing history, a family legacy and a love of the bloodthirsty: it's hard to imagine that readers won't be bitten, too." (Publishers Weekly)
"The Historian is artfully constructed and atmospheric." (Washington Post Book World)

it's worth the wait

You need patience for this one.

There are several different intertwining storylines. The two readers keep things from getting confusing. The stories start slowly at first, then build in intensity.

In the 1970's our teenaged heroine becomes fascinated with the Dracula legend after making a chance discovery in her father's library.

The second is the story of her Father. In the 1950's he realizes that the disappearance of his beloved mentor, Professor Rossi, is connected with the Dracula legend.

The third story is that of Professor Rossi. In the 1930's, he also goes looking for Dracula...

For all three, the search has frightening, then tragic consequences.

The climax of the story was truly frightening. Unfortunately, the ending was a bit rushed and a little unsatisfactory.

Almost better than when I read it!

I read this marvelous book several years ago. When I saw it available on Audible I thought it would be nice to have it read to me. This book is even better as an audible title. The readers are fantastic - the accents help keep the story clear and add another layer to the marvelous textures in this story. Read this book. Listen to this book. You won't be disappointed. I have enjoyed my Audible subscription (finding new stories and listening to stories that I already know) but this is by far my favorite audio production to date. The perfect blend of a great story and a fabulous audio production.

Twice now

Short review. I have now listened to this audiobook twice, rough 8 years between. The first listen was absolutely incredible. The second listen this book has a few pacing issues and it quite long. The story is great but what holds this as high in my standing are the performances. Beautifully performed.

My favorite book

This has long been my favorite book.
I know some people have trouble getting into it, but I love both fantasy and history, and the mixing of the two is wonderful. Elizabeth Kostova does an excellent job of fantastical storytelling within a the confine of true history.

a grabber

Would you consider the audio edition of The Historian to be better than the print version?

cannot imagine completing this suspense novel by reading page by page. The narrators inflection kept me present for each suspense filled page. felt as though I had been to Transylvannia on a great adventure.

What other book might you compare The Historian to and why?

probably would not have read any book with this content if it were not for my book club. what an experience I would have missed by passing up this selection.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

would not have experienced the characters as being real without the talent of the narrators.

If you could take any character from The Historian out to dinner, who would it be and why?

the professor's daughter. her dedication to research is inspiring.

Any additional comments?

this book opened up for me a new genre of reading.

A ton of history with not much suspense

I Heard through a friend of mine who read the book that it was uneven and a little slow at the beginning. Listening to it as an audiobook kind of evened that out, but it did not help with making it suspenseful. It seems a very long very standard vampire take.

Mesmerizing and deep...

This was a great listen; I am sure more enjoyable than the read. The narrators both did a wonderful job of all the various accents,bringing to life this beautiful prose, and their pacing was good. This is very very long with richly detailed descriptions that really bring the locations to life. I feel like I have just travelled extensively through Eastern Europe! This is a wonderful story, with enough twists, turns and surprises to make it addicting.

great story but a bit too long

A little too long. the 3rd quarter was difficult to stay with. the history was a bit too in depth for me to the point of not adding value to the story. overall a good read.

Gripping!!!!!

This was one of the best books I have ever read/heard!!!! Great narration voices held my attention. The book is long but well worth the time!!! Never read a more well thought out and engaging story of Dracula. I can’t put into words how to describe this book. But I do know that I throughly enjoyed it. Ready for another this good!!!!

longggg.....

a great idea for a book that went on and on and on. I did enjoy the way the story unfolded, however; it could have been happily edited down to half it's length and been a great story instead of incredibly mediocre. And after all that...what's up with the ending????