SERIES: Jen's Library (#10)

ELIZABETH KOSTOVA’S THE HISTORIAN

A complicated, far-reaching and vastly beautiful story within a story within a story.  A woman (never named throughout the novel) telling about stories her father told her regarding stories his mentor told him about Vlad Tepes.  Yes, Dracula.  I twitch a little bit to call what is, in reality, a novel about vampires (one particular vampire, really) “vastly beautiful” – but it is.  Kostova has a way of making you feel as if you were personally paying a visit to the Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul yourself, instead of reading about it in the pages of a novel.  Making you feel as if you were sitting down to dinner with the characters – the young woman and her father – and experiencing the meal with them.  Even though at times you may wish for Kostova to “get on with it, already” you’ll be glad you stuck with it, for the visions she creates are breathtaking.  The woman tells about her father’s adventures - and later, her own - as he picks up where his mentor left off in his search for Dracula.  It’s got just the right amount of creepiness without being scary, but honestly, I look at this book as more of a historical novel, because it is written as such.  If you’re looking for a quick read, this isn’t it.  But, if you’re looking for an excellent read, here it is.