In this internationally bestselling novel, the author of The Swan Thieves has 'refashioned the vampire myth into a compelling...late-night page-turner' - San Francisco Chronicle Late one night, exploring her father's library, a young woman finds an ancient book and a cache of yellowing letters addressed ominously to 'My dear and unfortunate successor'. Her discovery plunges 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 evil hidden in ...
Read More
In this internationally bestselling novel, the author of The Swan Thieves has 'refashioned the vampire myth into a compelling...late-night page-turner' - San Francisco Chronicle Late one night, exploring her father's library, a young woman finds an ancient book and a cache of yellowing letters addressed ominously to 'My dear and unfortunate successor'. Her discovery plunges 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 evil hidden in the depths of history. In those few quiet moments, she unwittingly assumes a quest she will discover is her birthright - a hunt for the truth about Vlad the Impaler, the medieval ruler whose barbarous reign formed the basis of the Dracula myth. Deciphering obscure signs and hidden texts, reading codes worked into the fabric of medieval monastic traditions, and evading terrifying adversaries, one woman comes ever closer to the secret of her own past and a confrontation with the very definition of evil. Elizabeth Kostova's debut novel is an adventure of monumental proportions - a captivating tale that blends fact and fantasy, history and the present with an assurance that is almost unbearably suspenseful - and utterly unforgettable. '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 'Filled with fascinating details of archaic vampire lore, the splendours of the Ottoman Empire and the beauty of the Romanian countryside' - Times Literary Supplement
Read Less
Add this copy of The Historian to cart. $1.07, fair condition, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Back Bay Books.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. Ex Library with stickers and markings May have heavy wear and markings. May not include digital download codes. Stock photo may be different from actual cover.
Add this copy of The Historian to cart. $1.29, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milwaukee, WI, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Back Bay Books.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. The cover has visible markings and wear. The cover has curled corners. The cover may have stickers markings or sticker adhesive on it. There is a crease or fold on the cover. The pages show normal wear and tear. There is writing discoloration or markings on the edges of the pages. Codes or product keys that accompany this product may not be valid. Fast Shipping in a Standard Poly Mailer!
Add this copy of The Historian to cart. $1.41, fair condition, Sold by BookHolders rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Gambrills, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Back Bay Books.
Add this copy of The Historian to cart. $1.45, good condition, Sold by Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milwaukee, WI, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Back Bay Books.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Book is considered to be in good or better condition. The actual cover image may not match the stock photo. Hard cover books may show signs of wear on the spine cover or dust jacket. Paperback book may show signs of wear on spine or cover as well as having a slight bend or curve to it. Book should have no writing inside or highlighting. Pages should be free of tears or creasing. Stickers should not be present on cover or elsewhere and any CD or DVD expected with the book is included. Book is not a former library copy.
Add this copy of The Historian to cart. $1.55, good condition, Sold by More Than Words rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Waltham, MA, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Back Bay Books.
Add this copy of The Historian to cart. $1.64, fair condition, Sold by BookHolders rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Gambrills, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Little Brown and Company.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. [ No Hassle 30 Day Returns ] [ Broken Seams: YES ] [ Edition: First ] Publisher: Little Brown and Company Pub Date: 6/14/2005 Binding: Hardcover Pages: 656.
Add this copy of The Historian to cart. $1.67, good condition, Sold by Zoom Books Company rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lynden, WA, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Back Bay Books.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Book is in good condition and may include underlining highlighting and minimal wear. The book can also include From the library of labels. May not contain miscellaneous items toys dvds etc. We offer 100% money back guarantee and 24 7 customer service.
Add this copy of The Historian to cart. $1.68, fair condition, Sold by BookHolders rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Gambrills, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Little Brown and Company.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. [ No Hassle 30 Day Returns ] [ Edition: First ] [ Water Damage: SLIGHT doesn't affect use ] Book has slight water damage to dust cover. Publisher: Little Brown and Company Pub Date: 6/14/2005 Binding: Hae dcotover Pages: 656.
Add this copy of The Historian to cart. $1.97, good condition, Sold by Seattle Goodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Seattle, WA, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Back Bay Books.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
May have some shelf-wear due to normal use. Your purchase funds free job training and education in the greater Seattle area. Thank you for supporting Goodwill's nonprofit mission!
Add this copy of The Historian to cart. $2.05, good condition, Sold by Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milwaukee, WI, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Little, Brown and Company.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. The cover has visible markings and wear. Some corner dings. The dust jacket shows normal wear and tear. The pages show normal wear and tear. Codes or product keys that accompany this product may not be valid. Fast Shipping in a Standard Poly Mailer!
This was a great read. I would recommend it to any one.
I hope to read more from this writer.
Barbara M
Apr 8, 2011
Good Read
This book is very well written. it is not for the casual reader however. One is expected to know something about relevant places as well and the history and myth surrounding Vlad Dracul.
The reader's imagination is excited as the story reveals itself.
Larry H
Jan 5, 2011
A nighttime read
I like to read at night. This is the first book that I had to put down at one point and let it rest for weeks...it was too intense and scary. I can't wait for the movie version to come out.
Rossi
Mar 9, 2010
Two important questions?
The Historian is an all time favorite. However, notable in many reviews is some expressed disappointment with the ending.
To understand the ending - and better appreciate the entire book - I think it is essential for every reader to understand two things - for whom ("the one reader") - and what purpose - motivated the storyteller to finally "commit to paper" this "cri de coeur".
sleepyme
Feb 8, 2010
I tell friends this book is The DaVinci Code for fans of the Dracula legend. The DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons left me longing for a return trip to Europe to follow the trail myself. Similarly, The Historian kindled a desire to follow the roads travelled by the characters in their search for Dracula.
While the book's focus is on Dracula, it is not a horror tale, per se. However, as you read, there may be times when you are tempted to lock the windows and doors and add a string of garlic to your grocery list, just in case.
The characters, quite frankly, were less interesting than the travelogue but someone has to tell the story.
