The Fantasy book of the month for November 2009 is “The Historian” by Elizabeth Kostova (first published in 2005).
Content
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. The letters provide links to one of the darkest powers that humanity has ever known—and to a centuries-long quest to find the source of that darkness and wipe it out.
About the book
Wikipedia has some information about the author and the book. “The Historian” is Kostova’s first novel.
Where to get the book
You can get it at every book shop and of course at Amazon (look out for deals on the marketplace) in at least one paperback and one hardcover edition. If you buy the book at Waterstone’s in Cardiff (2a The Hayes), they’ll give a 10% discount if you mention the reading group and have a Waterstone’s loyalty card.
Other suggested books
The short list for this month was:
- “Reave the Just and other tales” by Stephen Donaldson
- “Drinking Midnight Wine” by Simon R. Green
- “The Historian” by Elizabeth Kostova
Hi!
Though, I am not a member of the reading group (I am living in Germany), I am always reading the reviews of Johannes.
I’ve read “The Historian” in November/December, too. And I was surprised that it was the book of the months here.
What to say about? I liked it.
I liked the writing style and the suggestion that all what happened was real. Especially the historian way of looking for documents as like a historian would do research, the descriptions of the libraries and localities, the vivid atmosphere, the curiosity of the Historian (to whom this term may apply in this book – in fact, it would apply to anyone of the main characters),…
Okay, I am a Historian myself. And therefore I am not very sure – but very curious – how this book was received by non-Historians. Was it boring, or was it interesting and with a lot of suspense?
But in my eyes it was a great choice (though, it was very long to read within one month only *g*).
All best,
Kaineus.