The Historian 2008:06

I had no idea what I was getting into when I picked up this book at the library, with a recommendation from a friend. It was a LONG, but satisfying read. It is historical fiction---along the lines of Da Vinci Code---with fictional characters traveling through Europe following the legend of Dracula (Vlad the Impaler). This book is definitely movie material, complete with action, romance, and exotic locations.

I must have misunderstood the author's preface at the beginning of the book, because I began the novel thinking it was some sort of memior. For some reason, I thought that the author was telling the story of her childhood, and that she was claiming the events in this book actually occured. This made the book more interesting to begin with because I kept thinking, "Wow. That really happened?!" As the book went on and the events became more and more incredible, I began to think, "Does this woman really think people will beleive her story? Is she deluded, or just a really bad liar?" I had to go back and re-read the preface to realize that the author was not claiming this book as a factual memior. At that point I was able to finish reading the book and enjoy it for what it was, a suspenseful work of fiction.

I enjoyed the storyline and characters in this book, but I didn't love the author's writing style. Sometimes I found my attention wandering and I had to plug through historical information that was a bit heavy at times. I also enjoyed the European landscape and learning some history I'd never heard before. This is a book I would recommend, although probably not for all readers.