Kostova, Elizabeth - The Historian

[Andrew J. Pottenger]

This debut novel, I understand, topped the NY Times bestseller list its first week out.

I've just started reading it, and I already love it. It's written in a similar "epistolary" vein as Bram Stoker's "Dracula." Far from being a horror novel, it's a beautifully written account of a young daughter's pursuit of the Dracula myth that ensnared both her father, a Dutch diplomat, and his mentor, Dr. Rossi. Like Stephen King, the supernatural element is merely the peripheral setting to a story about a father and daughter, beautiful descriptions of the wilds of Eastern Europe, and the thrill of academic pursuits.

I'd recommend this if you enjoyed the story (not necessarily the history or theology) of the Da Vinci Code.

[Wanda Van Winkle]

Andrew, thanks for the recommendation. I recently listened to the audiobook--unabridged, of course. Quite a storyteller. It seemed like there was a distinct lack of foul language, too, which is sometimes hard to avoid in today's popular fiction.

Generally, I don't read stories with vampires, but this one was worth the time.

[Andrew J. Pottenger]

Yep, this was a good one all the way around. I hate vampire stories that focus on weird sexual fantasy, and there was nothing like that here. It contained sexuality, but I don't recall anything graphic or perverse. Not like Anne Rice's old stuff ... quite a change she's made recently, hasn't she?

[Wanda Van Winkle]

I've never read Anne Rice, but heard that she was converted. Have you read any of her new stuff?

[Andrew J. Pottenger]

Her latest - "Christ the Lord" - is a very well-written book. Unlike Da Vinci Code, she did her research with reputable sources, treated her subject with reverence, and remained carefully faithful to the portrait of Jesus as given in the four gospels.

Not only that, but the story was highly enjoyable and I can't wait for the next in this series.

[Wanda Van Winkle]

Andrew, I'll check it out. Thanks.