| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| happymama58 |
Posted - Jul 02 2007 : 5:17:39 PM
I've always been an avid reader, and before the children were born I tended to read books of all lenghts and topics. But between the kids, house, and reading for my job (I taught English, so there were always tons of essays, paragraphs, etc.), it had been ages since I read something really long and complex. Plus, I've never enjoyed science fiction. A few weeks ago I bought a book on the "last chance" table at Barnes & Noble, started it last week, finished it on the drive home Saturday, and absolutely loved it.
It's called "The Historian" and is the author's first novel. It's told from the point of view of a young girl who is about 16 in 1972. Her father is a historian and she discovers that he once did research into the legend of Dracula, his death, etc. Long story short, the dad disappears and the girl, using his writings & letters, goes in search of him.
The topic was a stretch (most of it takes place in Europe in places that were totally foreign to me, the vampire issue, etc.) and I made a point of slowing down (I usually read very fast) and absorbing the entire mystery within a mystery. I absolutely loved this book!!
The concept of good vs unbelievable evil is extremely well played out, and there's some very intriguing dialogue about how forces of evil feel about modern culture.
It was well worth the $5.98!!
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Amie C. |
Posted - Jul 03 2007 : 09:56:37 AM
I know what you mean about slowing down to really get into something long and complex. I remember reading the same books over and over when I was young; now I just blow through them and can barely remember plot details the next day. In the past few years, there are only a few books that I've gone back and read a second time immediately. And those are the only books I would buy new. I always try new things from the library first, to see if they 'take'. Of course, used books at rummage sales and library benefit sales are another story! |
| happymama58 |
Posted - Jul 03 2007 : 07:11:04 AM
I agree that it moved very slowly, with all the history & background. Usually I balk at that slow pace, but it was nice for a change to get into something a bit more deeply than usual.
As for the price, I've gotten really lucky several times I've been to Barnes & Noble in that I've found something that turned out to be very good in the bargain area. I love books but even paperbacks are so expensive (at least to me) now, so the bargain areas are really important to me. Of course, I'm a library fanatic, so that feeds my book addiction nicely, too 
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Jul 02 2007 : 5:52:01 PM
It's funny how we all have different tastes! I LOVE dracula books and highly anticipated the release of this book. I bought it the first day it came out. I read it and went slow like you so I could absorb the "history" (I say that loosly) stuff that was presented. While some of it was fascinating I thought that overall the story was VERY slow moving and the story line did not really keep me interested. I think the biggest problem was that she strayed from the story so much to discuss the "history" and I would forget what was going on.
I'm glad you enjoyed it though! Maybe if I had only paid 5.98 I would feel differently but I think I paid $32.00 for the new hardcover!
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