The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I've just re-read this book for the second time.

I'd say this is a vampire book for grown-ups. The two main protagonists are University professors, so the story is told through their scholarly perspective. Paul is an historian and subsequently the the history of the countries he and Helen visit are related in detail for large sections of the book. Someone wanting a book full of bites and bat like appearances might find this tedious, and its a long book too.

I however, loved it, and thought enough of it to read it twice.

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Human Traces by Sebastian Faulks

Human Traces by Sebastian Faulks


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The story of two pioneering 'alienists' struggling to find a cure for 'madness' in the 19th century was at most times enjoyable and enlightening, though sometimes a bit hard going.

I preferred the parts of the book that dealt with the personal lives of the two main characters, their personal relationships, families and other loved ones. The book covers quite a long span, from their childhood to old age, I do love a good saga!

Less enjoyable were the long parts detailing what might or might not be the causes of mental problems as understood by the two alienists (and what a difficult area that still is, I'm not sure we're that much advanced, drugs are the main 'cure', though counselling is important, something still not in place during the time the books is written about) though the details of an English asylum made grueling but fascinating reading.


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