The Historian

By: Elizabeth Kostova

Narrated by: Joanne Whalley, Dennis Boutsikaris, Rosalyn Landor, Martin Jarvis, Robin Atkin Downes, Jim Ward

Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

The record-breaking phenomenon from Elizabeth Kostova is a celebrated masterpiece that "refashioned the vampire myth into a compelling contemporary novel, a late-night page-turner" (San Francisco Chronicle).

Breathtakingly suspenseful and beautifully written, The Historian is the story of a young woman plunged into a labyrinth where the secrets of her family’s past connect to an inconceivable evil: the dark 15th century reign of Vlad the Impaler and a time-defying pact that may have kept his awful work alive through the ages. The search for the truth becomes an adventure of monumental proportions, taking us from monasteries and dusty libraries to the capitals of Eastern Europe - in a feat of storytelling so rich, so hypnotic, so exciting that it has enthralled readers around the world.

“Part thriller, part history, part romance...Kostova has a keen sense of storytelling and she has a marvelous tale to tell.” (Baltimore Sun)

©2009 Elizabeth Kostova (P)2009 Hachette

Critic reviews

"Quite extraordinary....Kostova is a natural storyteller....She has refashioned the vampire myth into a compelling contemporary novel, a late-night page-turner." (San Francisco Chronicle)

"Kostova's vampire is no campy Lugosi knockoff....Blending history and myth, Kostova has fashioned a version so fresh that when a stake is finally driven through a heart, it inspires the tragic shock of something happening for the very first time." (Newsweek)

"Impossible to resist." (Miami Herald)

First Favorite Audiobook

I have great difficulty with audiobooks. I don't like them. However, I needed something for my work commute and my family spoke highly of this book. I chose the ensemble cast, hoping that would help, and it did! I absolutely LOVED this book! So much so, that I am considering listening to the unabridged version too, even though it only has 2 readers instead of the 6 on this abridged version. The story was intriguing and thrilling, with enough history to interest the history nerd in me. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

outstanding!

this is a fantastically Rich story, made even richer by the storytelling. it brings the story to life in a very eerie but intriguing way. I highly recommend this audible book!

Almost fantastic

A fine work of fiction. That the story is read by each caracter workshop surprisingly well. The disappointing factor is that it is abridged, and that distupts the flow of this allready intricate tale.

The sound effects!

I read this book when it came out, I was much younger and enjoyed very much. And always tough about it as a light autumn reading. However this audiobook ruined for me. The horrible sound effects.

Beautiful book to read & listen too

The performances are top notch, the story is absolutely beautiful, one of my favorites. You really can't go wrong with this one.

Great accents, wonderful background music and more

What made the experience of listening to The Historian the most enjoyable?

The use of different voices for the reading of different letters. Each character is voiced by a separate actor or actress performing with a different accent. As I am a fan of all accents, it made the story very pleasant to listen to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Historian?

Rossi's missing letters meant to be sent from Romania. They reveal SO much about the historical Dracula as well as the story's plot.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

As mentioned before, the accents. The best was the guy who did the man with a mixed Scottish/Romanian accent. It was superb and an excellent example of hard work and top-notch voice acting.

Who was the most memorable character of The Historian and why?

Perhaps Rossi himself but each plot line has its own quirks. The unnamed narrator's recounting of her trip to Italy and Slovenia has its own charms too.

Any additional comments?

I've listened to this recording many times. It is fitting when the Autumn chill fills the air and you want something intellectually satisfying yet a bit dark.

Kept me on the edge of my chair

Going into this book, which was suggested by my mom-in-law, I was a tad hesitant because I am not a person who watches scary movies let along hear them. I can say that I was happy that I took a chance and listend. All the way through I was held in suspense for the next thing to possible pop out from the darkness.

Probably better unabridged

Where does The Historian rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 5

Who was your favorite character and why?

The father I guess, he's the protagonist.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

The unabridged version would probably be worth the extra money. I purchased this one because it was only 10 hours long, and I had a 10 hour car trip, and I wanted something digestible. However, the characters are not very well developed, the plot is jumpy, and the language is rushed in this abridged version. Even the sample sounds better in the unabridged.

Interesting story but didn't hold my interest

What did you like best about The Historian? What did you like least?

Had a few interesting twists and I did not expect it to be about Count Dracula, so it was different for a change

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

the story told from the different parties

What didn’t you like about the narrators’s performance?

The father (Paul) was totally not a good fit to be the narrator. It was obvious that he was reading, so difficult to lose yourself in the story, and he was far too effeminate to be her father....I just couldn't reconcile the narration with his role. Liked all the other narrators though!

Could you see The Historian being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No - it was too drawn out in parts

Dracula revisited

I loved this book when I read it a few years ago, and I was a little aprehensive about the abridged version, given that the full story is so wonderful and dense. This audio version is well worth the download.. It flowed seamlessly and I did not once get the sensation that I was listening to only half the story. One of the authors has a bit of a funny tone to his voice, but the primary narrator is engaging and easy to listen to.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys -real- vampire stories, where the creatures are terrifying and intelligent (unlike more contemporary interpretations of Vampires being pretty, shiny, go to high school and are no more frightening than a pair of bunny slippers). Vampire stories that cause your gut to clench in fright.

For those who like their stories with a little history thrown in, Kostova has brought the legend of Vlad Tepes (AKA Vlad Dracul or Dracula) into a relatively modern setting, with the story's protagonists being hunted by Vlad Tepes' sinister inhuman agents as they move throughout Europe in their hunt to find, and destroy Tepes once and for all.

Download, read, enjoy! :)