Bookreview

The Historian

I have recently read a book called The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. It is a 642 page fictional book comprised of three different point of views on the history and supernaturalism of Vlad Tepes; the original Dracula.
I have to say a great deal of the book is textbook history and that a lot of people would have a very hard time getting through it. The plotline is brilliant and obviously thought out over a period of time.

The main character is the daughter and granddaughter of the other two accounts in the book. And she is never given a name. I suppose Elizabeth Kostova places herself here.
She finds a late medieval book on her father’s shelf with blank pages apart from a simple woodcut of the name “Drakulya” with a dragon etched with a looping tale. This book takes her through the horrifying tales of her Father’s experience with the book; the life before her mother disappeared, and then the tale of her Father’s professor/father-in-law and his most horrific story and actual encounter with the vampire lord.
The beginning of her father’s tale starts with the sudden disappearance of Bartholomew Rossi, the narrator’s grandfather. In his quest to find his most beloved professor Paul (the father) finds out an entire history kept from him from his professor, and in fact finds Rossi’s unknown and long lost daughter; Helen, the narrator’s mother.
The couple go on a hunt to find Rossi, who has been kidnapped by Drakulya for his own dark work, and leads them all over eastern Europe and to the corners of history.
By the end of the father’s account, the narrator finishes the story. It is a fascinating plot, hard to understand I suppose by a readers explanation, but was vividly finished without much confusion for the reader.

The information of history is great in the book, and sometimes I had to set it down to organize all the information in my head. There were even times it left me so brain fuddled with information that I had to set the book down for a day or two before picking it up and carrying on again.
I am not sure on if I fully enjoyed the book as well as I could, but it is very interesting and I recommend it to anyone who loves History, Antiquity, or Anthropology.
Perhaps I didn’t enjoy the story so much cause it half made me feel like I was grueling through a large textbook and sometimes all the history mind-bottled me. The romance in the book was magical and I absolutely loved those parts. What’s more to say is there are no awkward sex scenes some books like to add in for “spice” –rolls my eyes-
But everything is simply pure love. That alone gives it thumbs up.
So if you find yourself in a bookstore, and just so happen to pass by the large book “The Historian”, Go ahead and pick it up. You can always find a good debate with me about it.

43 odd things about myself.

I was going through my email and found this- I figured since I haven’t written on my blog in a while, I would put up an entry easy for me. This is it

43 ODD Things about you! If you opened this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 43 things about your friends, and let them learn 43 things about you! Send back to me and to several more friends!! Just cut and paste or forward and delete my answers and add yours.

1. Do you like bleu cheese? I’ll try anything once
2. Have you ever smoked? No

3. Own a gun? No, but I have thought about getting one

4. What flavors Kool Aid is your favorite? I dislike Koolaid

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? I don’t mind doctors or dentists

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Eat them once or twice a year is all I can handle
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Hogfather

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water

9. Can you do push ups? Yup, but not a lot

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? –shrug- I don’t wear Jewelry that much. I like my rings though.
11. Favorite hobby? Reading
12. Do you have A.D.D? Nope
13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? I isolate too much
14. Middle name? Rachelle

15. 3 thoughts at this exact moment?

“Rachelle isn’t a common middle name is it?”

“Amadeus is such a fun movie, I guess I would like it if it wasn’t so historically incorrect”

“Am I still rendezvousing in Florence?”

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, Flavored water….. Water?

17. Current worry? Oooh, too much to choose

18. Current hate right now? Upset stomachs

19. Favorite place to be? Where ever a book takes me

20. How did you bring in the New Year? -blank stare- I really can’t remember

21. Where would you like to go right now? I am sick so I don’t want to be anywhere other than my bed

22. Name three people who will complete this? Well, Katelyn already did, but I don’t know who else
23. Do you own slippers? Not anymore, I always forget you cant wear them out on wet days, so I always dirty and destroy any I get…. Same with slipper socks

24. What shirt are you wearing? –looks under sweater- large T-shirt

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Ooo… sounds kinky. I never have to tell you the truth, and I probably never will since I am very Frugal. But I wouldn’t mind trying that out. I also agree with Kate, I would try to run and jump into them- causing me to slide off into a wall or something. I don’t think I can take any more brain damage.

27. Favorite color? purple
28. Would you be a pirate? And who says I am not?
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Ha, I always sing in the shower.. hm, the songs I sing are Dido’s Lament, Somewhere over the rainbow, I will always love you, La Fontaine, Suil a ruin, Cantus, Dulaman, and In Aimsir Bhaint An Fhei

30. Favorite Girl's Name? Genevieve

31. Favorite boy's name? Fareas

33. Last thing that made you laugh? My mother

34. Ever break any bones? Only my arm when I just turned 3

35. Worst injury you've ever had? My ego ^^

36. Do you love where you live? Eh, Cant complain

39. Do you have any pets? 1 cat, my baby kitty- Ruby Sue
40. Does someone have a crush on you? Lots, I know this cause I am too bold and ask out loud, I tend to choose friends who are the same- so they tell me honestly.

41. Your favorite books? HA! Too many, I remember a friend asking me for a booklist of recommendations…. It had over 400 books. I guess my favorite at the moment would be The Princess Bride, Immortal, The Vampire Lestat, and The Historian. I also really like The Three Musketeers

42. Favorite Sports Teams? Lacrosse, lol so violent… I compare it with a good fan girl chase

43. What song do you want played at your funeral? Awww, Kate you want me to sing amazing grace at your funeral? How many times have you asked me this? Like 50? You know my answer is always yes. As for me, I was the traditional Funeral March by Chopin. It must be the full version, and only played on a grand Piano. I think that’s my only wish for my funeral. Easy enough, isn’t it?